Meet our board
We are led by a team with diverse
talents and shared beliefs
Shar Amner/ Board Chair
Creating strong connections to engage, empower and enable forms the basis of Shar’s leadership style. He brings strong strategic strengths to the board, underpinned by extensive commercial experience, particularly in the mānuka honey industry and iwi governance as the former chairman of Ngāti Rangi Trust. Shar was also the chairman of Te Ohu Mana Whenua, the Farm and Environment subcommittee. Father of two, Shar strives to represent shareholders while being a stalwart kaitiaki of the whenua.
Dr Rāwiri Tinirau/ Chair of Ohu Tatari
Rāwiri joined the Ātihau-Whanganui Inc board in 2017, following in the footsteps of his late grandfather, Meterei Tinirau, a past member and Chair. As a child, Rāwiri listened to his Koro discussing Ātihau-Whanganui matters. Later, Rāwiri received grants and scholarships supported by Ātihau, which culminated in his doctoral study examining tikanga Māori in a business setting. Rāwiri has served on the boards of numerous trusts and organisations. He is the Chair of Te Āti Hau Trust. He brings an awareness of whānau, hapū and iwi priorities as well as an understanding of Māori and corporate governance.
Hamish Blackburn
Hamish brings vast technical, theoretical and agricultural business acumen to the governance table. He and his wife farm an 850 ha effective, 11,000 stock units, predominantly sheep and beef - breeding, finishing/trading enterprise at Karioi, adjacent to Ātihau finishing farms so he has an intricate understanding of the productive capability of the whenua and how to be profitable. Legacy is a fundamental aspect of how his whānau operate their business, with inter-generational guardianship at the forefront consistent with the Awhi way. Service has been a cornerstone of Hamish’s upbringing watching his father and grandfathers give back to iwi, community and industry. He holds governance and committee positions on Beef and Lamb NZ, Central District Farmer of the Year and Ruapehu Vet Club and has extensive sector networks and relationships. Living locally allows Hamish’s to connect with Ātihau staff and contractors, board visibility is one of his priorities.
Kemp Dryden
Kemp is passionate about whānau, hapū, iwi and marae development. He works for Westpac New Zealand Limited as the Area Business Development Manager, which focuses on Māori and Iwi development both regionally and internationally. With that, he brings to the incorporation a vast experience and expertise in Māori business development. He has also served as a trustee, negotiator and general manager for the Ngāti Rangi Trust and currently represents Raketapauma Marae at Te Kāhui o Paerangi. Kemp is a devoted husband to Nicole, father of adult three sons, and a koro to his handsome grandson. Kemp is of Ngāti Rangi, Te Ātihaunui-a-Pāpārangi and Rongomaiwahine descent.
Hayden Potaka
Jonelle Hiroti-Kinane
Keria Ponga
Keria has a long association with Ātihau-Whanganui Inc, having attended her first annual general meeting as a child. That connection was never lost and in 2009 she was appointed to Te Āti Hau Trust, progressing naturally to seek election on the Ātihau board. Keria has a professional background in business mentoring and an in-depth knowledge in the machinery of government. She always puts people first when making decisions and believes in engaging shareholders and beneficiaries so they can participate in the business of their organisation.
