Dion Tuuta, a prominent figure in Taranaki governance, has been named the country's new Secretary for Māori Development and chief executive of Te Puni Kōkiri.
Deputy Public Service Commissioner Heather Baggott announced the five-year appointment in Wellington today.
Tuuta will officially take up the position on July 1st.
Up until May 25th, he served as the interim chief executive of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Mutunga. Prior to that, Tuuta was the chief executive of Te Kotahitanga o Te Ātiawa Trust between 2021 and 2025.
Baggott told the media that his background made him the ideal candidate to lead the ministry.
"Mr Tuuta is a trusted leader with extensive experience working across iwi, business and the public sector," Baggott said.
Te Puni Kōkiri acts as the principal policy advisor to the Government on Māori development. The ministry also manages the Crown's relationships with iwi and Māori across the public sector.
Baggott noted that his ability to bring different groups together was a major factor in the decision.
"He knows how to lead and collaborate across organisations and sectors to lift performance and deliver practical outcomes that make a difference for whānau, iwi and hapū," Baggott said.
Locally, he is a trustee of the Toi Foundation, and previously served as the chief executive of the Taranaki-based primary sector powerhouse Parininihi ki Waitōtara (PKW).
At a national level, he held the top job at Māori fisheries trust Te Ohu Kaimoana from 2016 to 2020.
"He has vast experience working at the intersection of Crown policy and Māori interests, and understands the importance of relationships and trust," Baggott said.
The appointment marks a homecoming of sorts for Tuuta. He began his career in the public service and previously worked as a policy manager at Te Puni Kōkiri.
He holds a Master of Arts in history from Massey University.
