September 01, 2014
University to honour Waikato-Tainui CEO
The University of Waikato is giving Waikato-Tainui chief executive Parekawhia McLean a Distinguished Alumni Award for her impact on public policy and the public sector.
Ms McLean, from Waikato and Ngati Maniapoto, moved to Wellington after graduating with a Masters in Social Science in 1992.
Her public service career included time at the Ministry for Maori Development, Women’s Affairs, the Ministry for the Environment, the State Services Commission, and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
She was a strategic advisor to prime ministers Jim Bolger, Jenny Shipley, and Helen Clark, and also worked for Maori affairs ministers Sir Doug Kidd and the late Parekura Horomia.
University Vice-Chancellor Professor Roy Crawford says her contributions to public policy are a reflection of her outstanding commitment to her community.
Other alumni who will be honoured at the ceremony on September 19 are adventurer Jamie Fitzgerald; economist Arthur Grimes and author Le Mamea Taulapapa Sefulu Ioane, the first director of the Pacific Island Education Resource Centre.
Copyright © 2014, UMA Broadcasting Ltd