People

Whenua Hoko is led by Tumuaki/Chief Executive, Daniel Clay. Daniel has been with the company since its inception in 2016. He has led the establishment and growth of the company and commercial property portfolio including acquisition and development of the Te Uru precinct at Hobsonville Point. Prior to joining Whenua Hoko, Daniel was a practising lawyer for 20 years specialising in environmental and planning law and litigation, and a partner in two national law firms for 10 years.

Daniel’s iwi affiliations are to Ngāti Whātua (including Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara), Ngāti Paoa and Tainui.

The Whenua Hoko team includes staff at the Development Trust which have expertise in cultural matters, and a team of trusted advisors. For cultural matters, the expertise of Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara kaumatua and Trustees and other Māori heritage experts are applied to property developments.

The Board of Whenua Hoko comprises Rhys Freemen (Heamana / Chair), Margaret Kawharu, Chris Cardwell and Kristy Hill. Collectively, the Directors have a broad range of experience, including property management, financial services, law, tikanga Māori and Māori history and heritage.

Rhys is a director and chair of Ngā Maunga Whakahii o Kaipara Commercial Development Ltd and NMWoK Whenua Hoko Holdings Ltd in which he has held directorships since 2015. Rhys also served two terms as trustee on the post settlement governing board of Ngā Maunga Whakahii o Kaipara Development Trust from 2011-2019. Rhys is a Principal of accounting firm McGregor Bailey, and holds BCOM and Associate Chartered Accountant qualifications. Rhys is a member of Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara, and his marae is Puatahi Marae.

Margaret Kawharu, Ngāti Whātua/Mahurehure, resident of Rēweti, Kaipara, has been a director on Ngā Maunga Whakahii o Kaipara Commercial Development Ltd since its inception in 2013, and currently chairs the two forestry subsidiary companies Te Ngahere and Te Rau Manga. Formerly the Claim Manager, Margaret coordinated the five marae communities through the Treaty of Waitangi claim process from 1995 to the Deed of Settlement in 2011. Woodhill Forest was the key component of settlement redress for Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara. Margaret also served two terms as trustee/deputy chair on the post settlement governing board from 2011-2019, and was the inaugural chair of the co-governance board Te Poari o Kaipātiki over the Parakai Recreation Reserve from 2013-2019.

Chris is an independent director on the Boards of Ngā Maunga Whakahii o Kaipara Commercial Development Ltd, NMWoK Whenua Hoko Holdings Ltd and Ngahere Ltd. Chris was appointed to the these boards in 2018. Chris has over 20 years’ experience in corporate real estate, property investment and development and has held executive roles in public and private companies operating in New Zealand and overseas. Chris holds a property degree from Auckland University, is a Registered Valuer and is the Director of Facilities – Waitemata District, Health New Zealand.