The university alumni awardees are: law student Tatiana Warren (on behalf of her Mother Leilani Tuala-Warren), Hinerangi Raumati, Jennifer Kerr, Jamie Tuuta. Photo / Stephen Barker
The university alumni awardees are: law student Tatiana Warren (on behalf of her Mother Leilani Tuala-Warren), Hinerangi Raumati, Jennifer Kerr, Jamie Tuuta. Photo / Stephen Barker
A Supreme Court judge, Māori business leaders, and professional directors have been recognised by the University of Waikato for their contributions to community.
Jennifer Kerr, Hinerangi Raumati, Justice Leilani Tuala-Warren, and Jamie Tuuta received Distinguished Alumni Awards from the university at a recent ceremony, recognising their significant achievements and thecontributions they made to their communities.
This year's awardees have successful careers in areas including Māori leadership, governance, criminal justice advocacy, and law, including constitutional law efforts in Samoa.
University of Waikato vice-chancellor Professor Neil Quigley says the university is proud of this year's awardees and their outstanding achievements on the international and domestic stages.
"Each awardee is a role-model for students and fellow Waikato alumni," says Quigley.
The awardees have shown a commitment to their various communities by reforming the judicial system in Samoa, leading treaty negotiations for iwi, advocating for criminal justice and mentoring young leaders, all while creating opportunities for their communities to thrive.
Since the inaugural awards in 2007, the university has recognised 50 alumni who are at the top of their respective fields.
Professor Neil Quigley, Hinerangi Raumati, Jamie Tuuta, Jennifer Kerr, student Tatiana Warren (on behalf of her mother Leilani Tuala-Warren), and Chancellor Sir Anand Satyanand. Photo / Stephen Barker
Jennifer Kerr (Ngāti Tama, Ngāti Mutunga): Director
Jennifer Kerr started her career in human resources and health, safety, and wellbeing, before taking on executive roles for Mobil Oil, Fonterra, and Transpower. In 2018, she changed tack to focus on governance roles. Today, she is the first woman to chair New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, is the deputy chair of Callaghan Innovation, and is a board adviser to MediaWorks.
She is also a contributor to New Zealand's criminal justice system and sits on the New Zealand Police, Assurance, and Risk Committee.
Hinerangi Raumati (Ngāti Mutunga): Governor and Māori business leader, Waikato
Hinerangi Raumati is a well-respected governor and Māori business leader working hard to support her communities.
Equally active on the marae and in the corporate boardroom, Hinerangi's governance career started at the age of 30 when she was asked to be a trustee for Trust Waikato.
Today, Hinerangi is the chair of Tainui Group Holdings and Tūrangawaewae Trust Board, several commercial iwi entities, Ngā Miro Health Trust, and sits on many boards, including Genesis Energy and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.
Justice Leilani Tuala-Warren has had an illustrious career in law over the past 25 years, has continually used her expertise and knowledge to serve the people of Samoa and Aotearoa New Zealand, and has used her public profile for good.
She began her career as a state solicitor in Samoa before returning to the University of Waikato to tutor and lecture. She is currently an Honorary Lecturer in Te Piringa Faculty of Law.
Leilani established and led the Samoan Law Reform Commission, and was the second female judge to be appointed to the Samoan District Court and Justice in the Supreme Court of Samoa.
Jamie Tuuta (Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Tama, Te Ati Awa, Ngāti Maru, Taranaki Tuturu): Director and Māori business leader.
Jamie Tuuta is an experienced director, having held various roles in the areas of iwi development, treaty settlement negotiations, agribusiness, fishing, investment, health, tourism, philanthropy and education.
Since graduating from the University of Waikato, Jamie has participated in four iwi negotiations, chaired an iwi and several iwi asset holding companies, and held over 50 governance roles; he was the youngest trustee for Te Tumu Paeroa. Today, he is the chair of Tourism New Zealand, Māori Television, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Mutunga, Ka Uruora and Te Pākihi o Maru Management.
Jamie gravitates towards kaupapa-driven organisations and works tirelessly to create opportunities for his communities.
