Jamie Tuuta
2010 Sir Peter Blake Emerging Leader Award Recipient
A self-employed consultant, with a diverse background which includes agribusiness, fishing, investment, health, treaty settlements and MÄori development, Jamie Tuuta is committed to supporting and motivating New Zealand organisations to increase their capability.
Regarded as a role model for Taranaki elders and youth alike, Jamie has emerged among his community as a natural leader and continues to forge this reputation at a national and international level.
Passionate about the potential of this country and its people, Jamie plays a critical role, as an advisor and negotiator, in creating a clear, strategic vision for progress and consensus among stakeholders. Jamie is particularly focused on improving the long-term economic growth and sustainability of New Zealand’s primary industries – especially the MÄori pastoral and fishing sectors – and boosting productivity and competitiveness through ongoing investment in innovation.
Working with a number of staff and boards, Jamie uses his acute analytical skills, initiative and far-sighted judgement to critically affect outcomes. Described as a personable and humble man of integrity, Jamie engenders trust and confidence in those around him and quickly assumes a leadership mantle. A clear and articulate communicator, both in English and Te Reo, his indisputable logic serves to move people and projects forward – even in the thorniest of situations – enabling the development of solutions which benefit all involved.
“The literal meaning of the Maori word for leader, rangatira, is 'to weave people together'. This definition of leadership neatly encapsulates the consultative and collective nature of my approach to working with people, groups and communities.”
Jamie deploys his intellect, communication skills and political acumen as a successful and widely-respected negotiator. Regarded as someone who brings people together, he has led a number of negotiations on behalf of his Iwi, Ngati Mutunga, in their Treaty settlement and continues to play an active role in the Taranaki Iwi Treaty negotiations settlement. Jamie is also an advisor to the Ministry for the Environment on MÄori engagement and matters relating to the Government’s climate change policy and emissions trading scheme.
Jamie holds a range of governance positions in the health, iwi development, fishing, agribusiness and investment sectors. He is Chairman of Parininihi ki Waitotara Incorporation - a Taranaki based Maori agribusiness organisation, the Ngati Mutunga ki Wharekauri Asset Holding Company and a former Chair of the governance body, Te Runanga o Ngati Mutunga. He is also a member of the Government appointed Bioprospecting Taumata, the Government’s PEAK Group for Sustainable Land Management and the Investment Advisory Panel for the Primary Growth Partnership - a government-industry initiative that will invest in significant programmes of research and innovation to boost the economic growth and sustainability of New Zealand’s primary, forestry and food sectors.
“I have been privileged to have the opportunity to contribute to a range of organisations and to be in a position to influence and effect positive change. Leadership is both dynamic and challenging in an ever-changing environment. It is about advancing aspirations and requires courage, determination and a diverse set of competencies and characteristics to successfully navigate through issues, challenges and opportunities.”