Māori Governance Leader

This category is to recognise Māori women in governance.

This award is presented to a woman who is acknowledged as an experienced and reputable governance leader at a regional or national level, championing gender diversity and/or gender equity.

Nominees can represent any field and industry sector.


This award is sponsored by Te Puni Kōkiri — Ministry of Māori Development.


Meet the finalists


Bella Takiari-Brame

Bella (Waikato-Tainui and Ngāti Maniapoto) is a chartered accountant and has an international career working in bank financing, oil, gas and utilities. 

Bella has held governance roles dating back to 2013. She is Chair of Te Nehenehenui Trust and The Lines Company, is a board member of ACC, and director of Braemar Hospital Ltd, Crown Infrastructure Partners Ltd and Te Ohu Kai Moana Trustee Ltd. Bella is also a trustee of Maniapoto Māori Trust Board and an independent director for NZ Health Investments Ltd. 

Bella was a ministerial appointment as council member for Te Mana Whakahaere Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and was a member of the National Māori Advisory Board for the Prime Minister’s Business Advisory Council. 

Bella is passionate about her culture, community and creating solutions that make a difference for the vulnerable, and about infrastructure that enables equity.


Jeanine Tamati-Elliffe

Jeanine (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Te Atiawa, Ngāti Mutunga) has a background in reo revitalisation and health advocacy for Māori. She has extensive governance and advisory experience at local, regional and national levels across various sectors including government and tertiary.

As well as working as Director of Projects and Innovation at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha, Jeanine has her own strategic development and consultancy business, Manawa Ttī Ltd.

Jeanine also serves as a Chair, board member, ministerial advisor and trustee of numerous boards across Aotearoa including the Brainwave Trust Aotearoa, the Ministry of Health – National Maternity Monitoring Group, SICHA Te Pā Harakeke, Infant Mental Health & Wellbeing Advisory Group, Māori 4 Kids Inc and Poipoia Pūmanawa Inc Soc, of which she also co-founded the latter two organisations.

Jeanine is passionate about improving the health, well-being and equity outcomes for her whānau, iwi and all tamariki.


Tania Te Rangingangana Simpson

Tania (Waikato-Tainui (Maniapoto/Raukawa), Ngāi Tahu (Moki/Te Ruahikihiki), Ngā Puhi (Manu)) has a governance career spanning 20 years.

She has spent her career committed to improving outcomes for Māori and supporting the Treaty relationship, keeping this front and centre in all her roles.

Tania is founder and Chair of Māori development company Kōwhai Consulting. She is Deputy Chair of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, being the first Māori director appointed to the Reserve Bank board, and a director of Tainui Group Holdings Ltd, Auckland International Airport Ltd and Meridian Energy Ltd.

Tania is also Chair of the Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge, a member of the Deep South National Science Challenge and the Waitangi Tribunal, and Deputy Chair of the Waitangi National Trust.

In 2020, Tania received the University of Waikato Distinguished Alumni Award for her outstanding contributions to her communities and is a Commander of the Order of the Taniwha and a Dame of the Order of St Lazarus for services to Māori business, charity and community.