New Business Manager embarks on new opportunities
These are exciting times for Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi as Rawinia Lewis takes the helm as the new Kahungunu Asset Holding Company (KAHC) Business Manager. She’s hit the ground running as new ventures have taken off.
Rawinia was welcomed to Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated (NKII) on the 4th June last year as a secondee from the Ministry of Social Development to assist the iwi with training, employment, housing and working with other government agencies to improve services to whānau. NKII Chief Executive, Chrissie Hape had Rawinia progressing the strategic outcomes of Te Ara Toiora /The Pathway to wellbeing for Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi.
Over the past 12 months there has been significant changes in the Kahungunu Asset Holding Company with the resignation of General Manager, Jonathan Dick, the appointment of a new Chair, Trevor Moeke, and four new directors, Heather Skipworth, Barry Wilson, Ian Taylor and iwi Board member JB Heperi-Smith. During these changes Rawinia assisted by taking on an interim role in change management and last month after COVID lockdown was lifted, she moved into this new role as Business Manager.
Rawinia will be working with the directors to ensure the best opportunities to empower Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated through sustainable economic and commercial success. One of the business opportunities Rawinia has her teeth stuck into at present is K3 - Kahungunu Property, a new venture based on growing people, building homes and growing Māori ownership. Rawinia is working closely alongside Aayden Clarke who is contracted through the iwi’s relationship with EIT Hawkes Bay who is providing support through the Maori Pacific Trades Training courses that will support potential Kahungunu builders to gain their qualifications. Check out the K3 website https://www.k3property.co.nz
Rawinia grew up in Waipukurau, where she attended Central Hawke’s Bay College, and left to study in Palmerston North and later worked in Wellington. She now resides in Napier with husband Jamie Mitchell and their two tamariki aged 8 and 10.
Mauri Ora!
Mana Ake