| 3 T T Virginia Wright Driving asset growth for Ngāpuhi The Ngāpuhi Asset Holding Company (NAHC) is the commercial entity of Te Rūnanga-Ā-iwi-Ō-Ngāpuhi. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Ngāpuhi Asset Holding Company AUDIT | TAX | ADVISORY BDO NORTHLAND E: northland@bdo.co.nz P: 09 430 0471 Business Advisors of the Future BDO NORTHLAND. Big Network, Local Heart. BDO New Zealand Limited, a New Zealand Limited liability company, is a member of BDO International Limited, a UK Company limited by guarantee, and forms part of the international BDO network of independent member firms. BDO New Zealand is a national association of independent member firms, including BDO Northland, which operate as separate legal entities. “Ultimately the assets that we manage today and the ones that we invest in are for the benefit of our members, our uri, so we want to make investments that are tangible and meaningful, it’s very much a long-term intergenerational approach.” Based in Kaikohe, the Ngāpuhi Asset Holding Company (NAHC) is the commercial entity of Te Rūnanga-Ā-iwiŌ-Ngāpuhi. It’s tasked with managing and growing the investment assets on behalf of the descendants, the uri, of what is New Zealand’s largest iwi and ensuring the financial future of Ngāpuhi while facilitating opportunities for high-value, sustainable employment pathways through regional growth and development. The CEO of NAHC Matt Mudford took up his position eight weeks ago, and has a clear vision of what they want to achieve. “In a few years’ time we will be at 2035 which will be 200 years since the signing of He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni) which was the Declaration of Independence of New Zealand five years before the signing of the Treaty,” says Matt. “We looked at that date as inspiration for trying to reflect the aspirations of our tūpuna (ancestors) and those who signed those documents at that time. “Ngāpuhi Asset Holding Company is looking to partner with investors and businesses where our values, interests and capabilities align. “We’re looking to expand our investment portfolio and express economic sovereignty and self-determination while achieving that. “Ultimately the assets that we manage today and the ones that we invest in are for the benefit of our members, our uri, so we want to make investments that are tangible and meaningful, it’s very much a long-term intergenerational approach,” says Matt. Of Ngāpuhi and Te Rarawa descent, thus he has whakapapa from both sides of the Hokianga Harbour as he puts it, Matt grew up in Auckland where he’s had a career in professional services and as a senior public servant, working for leading accounting firm KPMG and for New Zealand Trade and Enterprise where as an Investment Manager he supported Māori businesses and entities. “It was a real privilege to get the opportunity to take up the CEO role at Ngāpuhi Asset Holding Company where I can use my skills and networks to further its aspirations. “It’s a real coming home to a place I always dreamed of coming back to but there was no job pathway for me, and that’s part of my inspiration. “The north used to be the economic hub of New Zealand, and we want to return that economic prosperity back to the region,” he explains. Confident that their expertise and values align they’ve recently entered into a joint venture with T&G Fresh (formerly Turners & Growers) on their berry farm operations in Kaikohe. In another announcement they’ve joined a collective partnership between 19 North Island iwi in what is a significant representation of their tribal fisheries interests and where, as a collective, they’re stronger to get better deals, Matt explains. “So whether it’s Māori or non-Māori we’re interested in partnering where our values, interests and skillsets align, and where we’ll be stronger together.” Clearly Ngāpuhi is open for business and open to partnering with those interested in playing a role in facilitating meaningful investment back into Northland across a range of different sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture and energy. ight weeks in and Matt Mudford and the NAHC Board of Directors are already making good progress in their determination to open up economic pathways that will allow more of their descendants, their uri, to find a meaningful pathway to return to the place they call home.
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