Tūtaki ki a Mātou

Meet The Team

The GHA Whānau

What sets us apart? We are 100% Māori owned, and 100% Māori focused. We have karakia and waiata at 9am every morning. We encourage development in te ao Māori for all our team members with Reo and tikanga lessons every week. We are clear about our ‘why’ we want to come to work every morning. Our mission is to help Māori succeed.

Glenn Hawkins

Partner – BMS(Hons), MMS, CA
Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Maniapoto

Before establishing this accounting and consulting practice in 2005, Glenn was Finance Manager, then General Manager, of the New Zealand Māori Arts & Crafts Institute (Te Puia). As a Chartered Accountant, he has a varied background that includes roles as management consultant with Ernst & Young and management accountant for a manufacturer and exporter. Glenn has extensive experience with Māori post-settlement governance entities (PSGEs), Māori incorporations, Māori land trusts, service providers, marae and non-profit organisations. Glenn is passionate about Māori business development and has helped numerous Māori commercial organisations in industries as diverse as tourism, agribusiness, fisheries, property, geothermal, forestry, education, health and aquaculture. He is also the Te Puni Kōkiri accredited business mentor for the Rotorua region. Glenn has governance roles with a range of client companies and Trusts and has been a fully qualified Chartered Accountant for 22 years.

Mere George

Partner – BMS, CA
Ngāti Whare, Ngāti Manawa, Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Porou

Mere became a qualified Chartered Accountant in 2005, while working at Deloitte as an auditor in Risk and Assurance from graduation until early 2009. Mere has worked with commercial entities across a broad range of industries, including Māori businesses, public sector entities, telecommunications and insurance. In 2009, Mere returned home to Rotorua working with Hulton Patchell Ltd, before joining GHA in June 2012. Mere enjoys working closely with iwi groups, Māori trusts, marae and incorporations. Mere is a conscientious and honest professional committed and passionate about Māori business and Māori economic development.

Kirsten Rei

Partner – LLB, BA
Te Māhurehure, Ngāti Rangi, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāpuhi

Kirsten has broad Māori and government sector experience, having led a number of high profile leadership roles for both. Born and raised in Rotorua, Kirsten initially trained as a lawyer before heading in to management roles at home in Rotorua and Wellington. Kirsten joined the GHA team in March 2018, bringing nearly twenty years’ experience in senior management, specialising in public policy and dealing at the interface between government, communities and the various sectors that comprise the wider ecosystem of Māori development. Kirsten is committed to supporting GHA’s clients to thrive.

Matiu Taurau

Senior Associate – BCOM, CA
Rangitāne, Ngāpuhi, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Kahungunu

Matiu joined the GHA team in November 2015 as a management consultant bringing with him a wealth of international and local experience in business. Matiu has been a Chartered Accountant since 2008, and most recently worked for listed company Comvita as their accountant. Previously, Matiu worked as an auditor with Audit New Zealand before heading to the UK where he worked with Fortune 500 company General Electric. Matiu’s knowledge and experience spans a number of industries and sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, retail and Māori authorities. Matiu is pleased to be lending his considerable talent, skills and energy to helping our clients succeed.

Kererua Savage

Consulting Manager – BBS, MBA
Ngāti Tūwharetoa ki Kawerau, Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Rangitihi, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui

Kererua joined the GHA team in May 2020 as a consulting manager bringing with him a wealth of experience in the government and banking sectors. Previously, Kererua worked in several government departments including Te Puni Kōkiri, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, The Treasury and the Ministry of Justice holding roles ranging from Principal Analyst to Policy Manager. His most recent role was with Westpac NZ as the Area Business Development Manager for Iwi / Māori for Te Puku o Te Ika ā Māui. Kererua’s knowledge and experience spans several industries and sectors including government, horticulture, geothermal, housing and banking. Kererua is proud to be working at GHA where he can provide his broad range of skills to assist Māori organisations reach their long-term vision.

Roimata Ah Sam

Accounting Manager – BCOM, CA
Ngāi Te Rangi, Waikato

Roimata returned to Tauranga Moana where she is currently based to enable her children to grow up in their mana whenua. Roimata is a highly confident and driven accounting manager with a passion to grow Māori talent and see Māori investments become sustainable and intergenerational. Being a kura kaupapa alumni Roimata inherently understands the importance of Māori taking charge of our own commercial destiny. Roimata’s extensive commercial accounting experience has enabled her to simplify complex financial information to be user friendly to the non-financial eye. Roimata speaks and encourages Te Reo Māori across the office.

Brad Korewha

Accounting Manager – BBS, CA
Ngāpuhi

Born and raised in the Kaipara District of Te Tai Tokerau , Brad has been settled in Tauranga Moana with his family for the last decade after spending time living abroad and in Auckland. Brad joined the GHA team in September 2019 as an Assistant Accounting Manager bringing with him over 10 years of commercial accounting, management and leadership experience. Brad has been a Chartered Accountant since 2013, and most recently worked for large civil construction business Fulton Hogan as their Finance Manager in the Bay of Plenty Region. Brad is proud to be working at GHA in a kaupapa Māori environment, where he can lend his broad range of commercial talents to assisting Māori business success, whilst also staying connected with his Māoritanga.

Isabelle Yee

Accounting Assistant Manager
BCA, GDipCA, CA

Isabelle joined the GHA team as an accountant in May 2017. Isabelle is originally from China and moved to New Zealand in 2003. She completed her Bachelor of Commerce and Administration in 2006 at Victoria University majoring in accounting. Before joining the GHA team, she worked as a tax accountant at several Chartered Accountant firms in Tauranga and Rotorua. Isabelle has worked with clients in various industries, ranging from small businesses to large farms. Isabelle understands the importance of maintaining a positive client relationship and is committed with helping GHA clients to succeed.

Sam Bell

Accounting Assistant Manager
BBS, CA

Sam was born and raised in Rotorua and has worked with various clients across a range of industries with experience in both commercial and CA environments, including six years with GHA. With the support from GHA in her previous years, Sam was able to complete her degree, and post graduate requirements and is now a CA, who enjoys connecting and working with clients to help them achieve their objectives. Sam is excited to be back at GHA and is looking forward to learning more about the cultural heritage of her home.

Staci Winiata

Accountant – BBA
Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Patumoana, Whakatōhea

Stacey joined GHA in August 2015 after graduating from the University of Waikato in 2014 with a Bachelor in Business Analysis, majoring in Accounting. Stacey is passionate about accounting and helping clients to reach their objectives. Her quietly conscientious and hard-working nature is attested to by her supportive whānau and is evident in her work at GHA. GHA are pleased to be supporting Stacey on her pathway to becoming a Chartered Accountant.

Tamaku Pau'u

Accountant – BMS
Tapuika, Ngāpuhi

Tamaku was born and raised in Te Puke and is of Te Arawa and Ngāpuhi decent. She graduated with a Bachelor of Management Studies degree from the University of Waikato majoring in Accounting. Prior to working with GHA she worked at other accounting firms and worked for her iwi. A passion to grow Maori business is what led to Tamaku to join GHA. GHA is supporting Tamaku on her pathway to becoming a Chartered Accountant.

Rana Sorenson

Accountant – BCOM
Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, Ngāi Tai

Rana was born in Rotorua and is of Te Whānau-ā-Apanui and Ngāi Tai descent. Rana graduated from Victoria University of Wellington in 2015 with a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Accounting, Commercial Law and Taxation. Prior to joining GHA in July 2019, Rana worked as an accountant at Deloitte, followed by a CFO role at Credit Union Central. Rana is passionate about working with Iwi and Māori organisations to help them achieve their cultural and business objectives. GHA is supporting Rana on her pathway to becoming a Chartered Accountant.

Te Ana Stephen

Accountant – BCOM
Ngāti Hine, Ngāpuhi

Born and raised in Wellington, Te Ana graduated from Victoria University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Accounting and Commercial Law. She is passionate about te ao Māori and being able to transmit that passion to her tamariki. It was her passion for Māori and learning te reo Māori that brought her to Rotorua and to GHA. Te Ana believes that immersing herself in a cultural hub like Rotorua will help further her te reo Māori journey and sees GHA as an opportunity to develop her accounting knowledge and skills in a professional Māori environment. She hopes to one day complete her chartered accountancy with the support of GHA, help to develop culturally responsive financial systems for Māori and use her skill and knowledge to give back to Māori.

Renee Winter

Accountant – BBS
Ngāpuhi

Born and raised in Tāmaki Makaurau, the competitive fast-paced lifestyle has provided Renee with the tools and experience to get her to where she is today. Renee managed a young family whilst studying at Auckland University, and proudly graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor of Business majoring in Marketing and Accounting. Renee then enrolled into the Rumaki Reo program at Te Wānanga Takura o Ngā kura kaupapa Māori o Aotearoa to learn and gain a better understanding of te ao Māori. Renee then decided to move to Rotorua with her whānau to join the GHA Team. She is passionate about growth and development in our SME’s, and she wants to see Māori thrive in the world of Business.

Trish Tuisea

Accountant – NZDipBus
Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Hamoa

Originally from Wellington, Trish lived in Australia for five years and Gisborne for seven years prior to moving to Rotorua in 2018. With a strong background in administration and accounts, she was inspired to obtain her NZ Diploma in Business and Open Polytech Diploma in Accounting with the support of her workplace in Gisborne at the time. She later continued studying toward a Bachelor in Business majoring in Accounting, set for completion in late 2018. Trish believes working at GHA will not only deepen her knowledge of tikanga Maori and te reo, but also further motivate her to become a Chartered Accountant with CAANZ in the near future.

Kateriina Selwyn

Management Consultant – BMS
Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāpuhi, Tūhoe

Kateriina joined GHA in 2016 and holds a Bachelor of Management Studies (majoring in Marketing) from Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato. Alongside her role as a Management Consultant at GHA, Kateriina was contracted from GHA as the Māori Sector Manager for Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, where she led the national strategy to increase the representation of Māori within the accounting profession. With a strong interest in Māori business and Māori governance, Kateriina’s aspiration is ultimately to contribute to Māori success. Kateriina is proud that her role at GHA allows her to work with whānau, hapū and iwi, providing valuable mahi and advice.

Holly Wharewera

Management Consultant
Te Arawa, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Te Whānau-ā- Apanui, Ngāti Porou

Holly was born and raised in Ngongotahā and is of Te Arawa, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Te Whānau-ā- Apanui and Ngāti Porou decent. Holly joins the GHA whānau after spending the last few years working as Project coordinator at a large Māori Land Trust and Consultant at a Chartered Accounting Firm. Holly has a background in Project Management and Administration in the Māori business sector with Māori Land Trusts, General Trusts and Incorporations. Holly is driven to meet deliverables to a high standard and is proud to be working alongside her people, contributing to Māori Success. Holly speaks and encourages Te Reo Māori across the office.

Alana Hay

Project Co-ordinator – BA
Ngāti Rongomai

Alana was born and raised in Auckland. In 2018 she completed a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Auckland with a major in Māori Studies. Having grown up away from her iwi and hapū, Alana decided to move to Rotorua to learn more about her own history and culture. Alana is passionate about Māori language and culture, and was excited to start work at GHA which will help her to be even more immersed in te ao Māori. She hopes GHA will help to really advance her professional skills in a Māori environment.

Jasmine Manley

Office Administrator – NZDipMāori
Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Takihiku, Maniapoto (Ngāti Matakore)

Born and raised in Rotorua, Jasmine is of Te Arawa, Raukawa and Maniapoto decent. She has a background in Administration with a passion for Māori development and Te Reo Rangatira. She is determined to complete her bachelor’s degree in the near future and give back to her iwi/hāpū. Jasmine looks forward to helping Māori enterprises and organisations succeed and develop in this front line role. Jasmine speaks and encourages Te Reo Māori across the office.

Rikki-Lee Naea

Office Manager – DipHosp
Ngāpuhi

Rikki-Lee joined the GHA team in 2018. Rikki-Lee grew up in Queenstown and completed her International Diploma in Hospitality Management and Tourism before moving to Perth where she worked as an Executive Assistant at Chartered Accounting firm, KordaMentha. Rikki-Lee moved to Rotorua to be closer to her whānau and brings with her international experience. She has an interest in the Māori Business Sector and continues to enhance her knowledge of tikanga and te reo Māori.

Emily Johnstone

Personal Assistant to the Partners

Emily grew up in Rotorua before moving to Melbourne where she worked as a Personal Assistant for two of the big four international accounting firms. A desire to be closer to her family and watch her nephews grow up brought her home to New Zealand where she worked for another big four accounting firm locally. With over 15 years’ experience as a Personal Assistant, Emily brings extensive skills and international knowledge to the GHA whānau. She is passionate about helping others and giving back to the community wherever she can. Emily is looking forward to learning and understanding more about Māori culture and is excited to expand her knowledge of te reo at GHA.

Claire Newton

Senior Management Consultant – BMS, Grad Dip Psych, CA

Born and raised in Rotorua, Claire has returned home to be near her whānau. Claire studied at Waikato University, completing her BMS and later studied psychology with Massey University. She has more than 10 years of experience in management, strategy, and commercial analysis across a variety of sectors. Her industry experience spans the New Zealand government sector, where she qualified as a Chartered Accountant, as well as 9 years internationally in not-for-profit entities and Healthcare. Claire has been in senior leadership roles in the prestigious London private healthcare market over the last 5 years, most recently as the Chief Finance Officer of Parkside Hospital and Cancer Centre London. Claire is excited to be back home to use her experience to contribute to the success of her community. Claire is looking forward to learning te reo so that she can share this knowledge with her daughter.

Nero Panapa

Share Registry Administrator – BMS, CA
Tūhourangi, Ngāti Pikiahu Waewae, Ngāti Pūkeko, Ngāti Whātua

Born and raised in Rotorua hailing from the small village of Te Whakarewarewa. Nero’s journey in tribal registers began in 2010 where he was asked to audit the state of the Te Pūmautanga o Te Arawa beneficiary register. What started as a two-month contract quickly turned into a full-time position maintaining the beneficiary register for the post settlement entity. In 2014 Nero moved to Deloitte Rotorua as the Share Registry Assistant focussing on shareholder grants, payments and successions. Here he also became a cultural liaison for the other Deloitte offices in Auckland and Wellington where specialised skills were required for some of the total immersion clients. Nero joined the team at GHA in February 2018 and is the Share Registry Administrator. Nero realises that the key to success is to share knowledge and empower our people by making sound decisions based on a blend of traditional and contemporary mindset. Nero encourages Te Reo across the office and speaks fluently.

Matiria Temara

Accountant – NZDipBus, BBA
Tūhoe, Ngāpuhi

Matiria is of Tūhoe and Ngāpuhi decent and a graduate of kōhanga reo and kura kaupapa Māori. In 2013, she graduated from the University of Waikato where she completed a Bachelor of Business Analysis majoring in Accounting. Matiria sees her role at GHA as an opportunity to develop her skills and experience further in a professional Māori environment. GHA are pleased to be supporting Matiria on her pathway to becoming a Chartered Accountant. Matiria speaks and encourages Te Reo Māori across the office.

Nika Rikiriki

Management Consultant – BBUS
Tūhoe

Nika joined the GHA team in 2020 and brings over 10-years of experience in strategy and management across a broad range of industries, including education, media, marketing and the charities sector. Nika is passionate about empowering people and organisations to achieve meaningful outcomes and proud to be part of an organisation that openly embraces Te ao Māori and that is focused on Māori success.

Hana Toroa

Accountant – BMS, CA
Ngāi Tāmanuhiri

Born and raised in the Horowhenua, Taranaki, and Waikato, Hana is of Ngāi Tāmanuhiri descent. Hana became a qualified Chartered Accountant whilst working at Deloitte and has over 10 years’ experience working with Māori entities. Hana and her whānau are proud residents of Te Moutere of Matakana where her children are growing up on their mana whenua. Hana’s commitment to Te Ao Māori saw her recently complete Te Tohu Paetahi in Tauranga to build her reo.

Tina Leigh

Māori Business Response Administrator
Ngāti Ranginui, Te Atiawa

Tina was raised in Tauranga moana and returned there to raise her young family in 2016. Tina is a highly experienced Administrator with a demonstrated history of working in law practice, trades, hospitality and Māori organisations. Tina has the ability to innovate, look at an issue, examine it from all angles, and use critical thinking skills to arrive at the optimal solution. With intuitive communication skills she is able to interpret tone, body language, and many other factors that impact effective communication and collaboration. Tina stays actively engaged in professional development to keep on the edge of modern-day technologies and in pace with the rapidly evolving landscape of business requirements in New Zealand.

Tiara Winsor Ngamata

Personal Assistant to the Accounting Managers
Te Arawa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa ki Kawerau, Ngāti Awa

Tiara was born and raised in Rotorua and is of Te Arawa, Ngāti Awa and Ngāti Tuwharetoa descent. She recently joined the team as a personal assistant to the accounting managers after spending several years in the Tourism Industry. Working in administration, customer services and reservations has prepared Tiara for her new journey here at GHA where she wants to focus on developing her skills in accounting. With the desire to advance her knowledge of Te Ao Māori, Tiara hopes to merge her cultural passion with her line of work in the future.

Dr Jason Mika

Associate – BMS(Hons), MPP, PhD
Tūhoe, Ngāti Awa, Whakatōhea, Ngāti Kahungunu

Jason has been a consultant for GHA since the company was formed. Jason specialises in Māori enterprise development and Māori organisational development. Jason’s strengths are in developing strategies, plans and policies to help Māori enterprises and Māori organisations succeed. He was raised in Rotorua and has completed consultancy assignments for Māori organisations locally and across the motu. Jason is a senior lecturer in the School of Management, Massey University in Palmerston North and co-director of Te Au Rangahau, Māori Business & Leadership Research Centre. Jason provides consulting services as an independent management and associate of GHA.

Brigette Arnold

Associate – BA(Hons), PGDipGrad (Economics)

Brigette has worked in the financial industry for over 15 years, across markets in the UK, Europe, Asia, North America, Middle East and Australasia. Brigette firmly believes in strong, face-to-face communication to strengthen relationships and identify the present and future needs of investors. Brigette has worked for 10 years at UK-based MVision Private Equity Advisers, managing private equity fund-raisings for global clients and as the lead relationship manager for Asian, Australian and New Zealand institutional investors. Since 2011, she has filled senior roles at Fisher Funds and Knox Investment Partners and is a former council member of the New Zealand Venture Capital Association.

Interested in joining us?

We are 100% Māori owned, and 100% Māori focused. We encourage development in te ao Māori for all our team members with Reo and tikanga lessons every week.
Our mission is to help Māori succeed.

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