Global Women congratulates member Vanessa Eparaima on her appointment to the Waitangi Tribunal.
Vanessa (Raukawa, Tūwharetoa) is a director who holds a number of governance positions across not for profit and commercial organisations, including the role of Chair at Te Mana Whakahaere, the council that oversees Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. She is additionally a business consultant, and former chief executive in the tourism sector.
Vanessa joins the membership of the Waitangi Tribunal equipped with extensive experience as the former Executive Chair for the Raukawa Settlement Trust and former Chair of Raukawa Charitable Trust. Vanessa was the Lead Negotiator for Raukawa, successfully negotiating the Treaty of Waitangi Settlement on behalf of the Raukawa Settlement Trust.
In 2014, Vanessa was appointed as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to Māori. In addition to her longstanding dedication to Māori and iwi development, Vanessa is committed to uplifting women and women’s self worth, and is a passionate advocate for the community and environmental issues.
This latest appointment marks yet another step forward in Vanessa’s distinguished career and is a testament to her unwavering commitment to Māori development, governance excellence, and community advocacy. We at Global Women are proud to see Vanessa step into this significant opportunity to demonstrate her experience, integrity, and leadership.