June 11, 2021
Taumaunu gets tohu for Maori governance
West Auckland community leader Evelyn Taumaunu has been awarded the Māori women’s governance tohu at this year’s Women in Governance Awards.
Waipareira chief executive John Tamihere says the Maniapoto and Ngāti Kauwhata ki Manawatū kuia led his organisation as deputy chair and chair – and then with her strength in succession planning, brought in new blood and handed the mana on.
She and her whānau have been the backbone of the Māori wardens in the west, and she has also worked closely over the years with Dame June Mariu on kaupapa like netball and second chance education and training for rangatahi failed by the education system.
"She was able to run a whole range of our programmes out here to readmit them into self-belief and those kids have gone on to be parents and grandparents. This woman has had a huge and enduring career but has never looked for acknowledgement – it's just another day at the office. That's the type of person Evelyn is," he says.
John Tamihere says Evelyn Taumaunu’s leadership has been about a contest of ideas rather than personalities.
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