“E noho koe ki te ngaki i ngā werawera a ō mātua tīpuna mō ngā uri whakatipu”.

Whaimutu Dewes (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Rangitihi), is constantly reminded of the strictures of his elders to realise the aspirations of the people for the generations that follow has an intense interest in the role of economics and governance in New Zealand and Māori economic development.

He is Chairman of Ngāti Porou Forests and Sealord Group.

Previous governance roles include the Chair of Ngāti Porou Seafoods and Aotearoa Fisheries, and directorships of Contact Energy, Ngāti Porou Holding Company, Housing New Zealand, Television New Zealand, and the Advisory Board to the Treasury and AMP.

Whaimutu worked for the departments of Justice (legislation formulation) and Māori Affairs (general counsel) for 10 years in the legal section and 5 years with Fletcher Challenge in business development.

A strong advocate of the revitalisation of Te Reo Māori, Whaimutu regards the fact he and his wife Judy have raised their children to be fluent in the Māori and English languages to be one of their life highlights.