Wi Pere Trust announced the appointment of Tim Rhodes as its CEO. Photo / Wi Pere Trust Facebook
Wi Pere Trust announced the appointment of Tim Rhodes as its CEO. Photo / Wi Pere Trust Facebook
Tairāwhiti’s Wi Pere Trust has two new faces for a newly created chief executive officer role and its secretary position.
The Māori whānau trust, which is primarily involved in agribusiness and horticulture, formally announced the appointment of Tim Rhodes as CEO on Boxing Day. The appointmenttook effect from November 17, 2025.
The trust, in a statement on social media, said Rhodes had more than 20 years of involvement in Māori agribusiness and had managed the Wi Pere Trust’s 4400 effective hectare sheep and beef operation.
“Under his guidance, Wi Pere Trust achieved the Ahuwhenua Trophy for Excellence in Māori Farming (Sheep & Beef) in 2022,” the statement said.
“For the 2025 Ahuwhenua Trophy Sheep & Beef competition, Tim was appointed in the role of chief judge, and his selection reflects his extensive expertise and the high regard in which he is held across the agribusiness sector.”
He is a member of the Tairāwhiti Whenua group, executive director of Awhina Management Ltd, previously a chairman of Waipaoa Cadet Training Trust and a trustee of Moeangiangi Station Cadet Training Trust.
He has contributed to several industry advisory groups, including for the Ministry for Primary Industries, Beef + Lamb New Zealand and Gisborne District Council.
Rhodes, in a statement made through the trust, said he was “honoured” to take on the role.
“This appointment represents an exciting step in my career and reflects my deep passion for the trust’s kaupapa and its people,” he said.
“I look forward to contributing to the ongoing success and growth of the trust, ensuring we continue to deliver strong outcomes for our shareholders and community.”
Wi Pere Trust chair Alan Haronga said in a statement on behalf of the board that he was “delighted to congratulate” Rhodes on the appointment.
“His depth of experience in agribusiness, coupled with strong leadership and strategic insight, will play a critical role in shaping the trust’s future. We are confident that Tim’s skills and vision will strengthen our ability to deliver on long-term goals and create enduring value for all stakeholders.”
Wi Pere Trust formally announced the appointment of BDO Gisborne director Richard Briant as secretary just before Christmas. Photo / Wi Pere Trust
The appointment of BDO Gisborne director Richard Briant to the position of secretary was formally announced by Wi Pere Trust two days earlier, on Christmas Eve.
“As a specialist farm accountant, he has worked closely with clients across the agribusiness and horticulture sectors, including sheep and beef farmers, horticulturalists, viticulturalists and crop farmers,” the Wi Pere Trust statement said.
“His deep understanding of the primary sector is underpinned by his own farming background, with his family continuing to actively farm their own whenua here in Tairāwhiti.”
Briant was appointed a director of BDO Gisborne in 2019 and, in January 2025, he joined the Pākihi Māori client group, co-leading that team with Kylee Potae.
“This has been an opportunity that Richard has embraced on all fronts and is deeply committed to supporting the growth and development of whenua Māori business enterprises within the Tairāwhiti region.”
Haronga said Briant’s “proven expertise in agribusiness and his strong connection to the land” aligned perfectly with the values and aspirations of the Wi Pere Trust.
“We look forward to working alongside Richard, as we continue to strengthen our governance structure and business operations, to deliver enduring benefits for our shareholders now and into the future.”
