Nelson was elected to the Committee of Management (CoM) in 2008 and has been Chair since 2010. Nelson’s previous roles at the Rotorua Māori Land Court during the mid-2000’s, taught him the skills required to succeed in governance and leadership roles like this.

He believes that a key reason for the incorporation’s recent successes has been the ability for the CoM to get on and make decisions without having to worry about ego. “Yes, it is about our shareholders, but more importantly we need to be mindful that the decisions we make today will impact our tamariki and mokopuna.”

Nelson is also Chair of Tuara Matata, a collective of Māori entities including Rotomā No.1 Incorporation, Tautara Matawhaura Trust and Rotoiti 15 Trust. Tuara Matata is currently involved in geothermal development opportunities on their whenua, they are also exploring opportunities to work closer together across other sectors, like forestry and housing.

Nelson previously worked at Scion (New Zealand Forest Research Institute Limited) as a Business Development Associate and Māori Partnerships Advisor for over 12 years. These roles provided Nelson with a valuable insight into New Zealand’s forestry industry and the growing importance Māori plays in this sector.

Nelson started his new role as Principal Advisor at Kāinga Ora (for the Te Moana a Toi rohe) in mid-September 2021. This role is regionally based and focuses on assisting iwi/roopū Maori with their housing aspirations.

Nelson is married to Paula and they have five children between them. They currently live at Tapuaeharuru, Rotoiti under the shadow of their maunga, Matawhaura, with two of their children, Manawarangi and Raina.

Maureen joined the CoM for Rotomā No.1 Incorporation in 2020. She is a lecturer of law at the University of Auckland and works part time as a solicitor at Corban Revell Lawyers. She specialises in Māori legal issues.

Lewis was elected a CoM member in 2018. Lewis Gardiner is regarded as one of the most innovative and respected Māori jade artists of his generation. He has had multiple exhibitions throughout major cities internationally. In 1994, he graduated in Māori Craft and Design at the Waiariki Institute of Technology in Rotorua. During his final year he was introduced to the valuable medium of pounamu (jade) and was immediately attracted to its artistic possibilities. Māori had always valued pounamu for both its hardness and for its translucent beauty. Lewis was no different – as he says, “Our tupuna (ancestors) have given us, the Māori people, the resource and knowledge base to provide a reference for us and our children for years to come.”

Lewis’s business acumen and relationships in the arts will be a real asset to the Rotomā No.1 CoM as we seek to look at new investment opportunities and building on the tireless work of his father Bruno Gardiner and the many other Committee members who have passed.

Pini was re-elected as a CoM member in 2022 for Rotomā No.1 Incorporation. He has over 25 years experience. He also serves on more than ten Ahu Whenua Trusts and one Whānau Trust. He has held various positions in the former Department of Māori Affairs and the Māori Land Court. His current employment is as a manager at the Rotorua Māori Land Court which gives him an insight into the duties and responsibilities of trustees and committees of management. His community involvement includes Vice President of the Hinehopu Golf Club and staunch Rotoiti Rugby supporter.

Glenda has been a CoM member since 2010 and holds a Bachelor of Management Studies (Hons) with a background in small business, commercial banking and education. She is currently employed by Rotorua Lakes High.

Glenda is enthusiastic about the opportunities that the Incorporation is about to embark on and looks forward to utilising her skills of business, strategy and finance.

Tammy was elected as a CoM member in 2023. With over 30 years experience in the education sector, Tammy has been priviledged to be able to work for her people and community working at Te Kōhanga Reo o Te Hikuwai and Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Rotoiti where she was a kaiako and acting tumuaki for over 15 years before being approached to work for the University of Waikato. She is currently the Associate Director at Te Whai Toi Tangata – Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato and is the Project Lead and Head Lecturer for Te Ahikāroa an Employment Based Initial Teacher Education Programme that supports ākonga to become kaiako in wharekura with a specific skill in teaching Pāngarau, Pūtaiao and te reo Māori.

Tammy is the current chairperson at the Rotoiti Sports & Community Association and is honoured to be a CoM member with the idealogy that education is key to success. Tammy is passionate about giving back to her hapū and iwi and as a ‘kanohi kitea’ can be found at the marae or supporting community intiatives that will empower her people. She looks forward to the challenge to be able to represent the beneficiaries of Rotomā No. 1. ensuring the people are connected and that growth, prosperity and wellbeing are prioritised for the generations to come.

At the end of 2018, we completed a recruitment process for our first Project Administrator. Laurie started her role as the Project Administrator for Rotomā No.1 Incorporation in January 2019.

Laurie will play a vital role in supporting CEO Neville King and the Rotomā No.1 Incorporation CoM Members to progress our growing asset base and to lead our strategic commitments and priorities. She will work across the business to build and implement our vision and mission – ‘Kia mau te whenua hei oranga mō te iwi’.

Laurie has worked in law firms for the past 10 years where she gained significant knowledge around processes within the administration sector.

More importantly, Laurie’s appointment marks a significant milestone for Rotomā as we are proud to have one of our own assisting to manage our assets alongside the CEO and the CoM members.

A survey completed on kōeke support services identified that there are areas of unmet need such as social isolation, timely access to health care and lack of home help support.

In order to improve the health and well-being of their kōeke, Rotomā No. 1 Incorporation (Rotomā) have identified new pathways and services that better align to their needs.

The vision for Rotomā is to improve home-based support and health advocacy and increase opportunities for social engagement.

Maia started her role in October 2021, her primary purpose is to identify and aid, advise and support to kōeke to ensure that their hauora needs are being met.

Prior to moving back home, Maia spent 25 years in the Shearing Shed Industry and 8 years at Lorneville Freezing Works in her mother’s homeland in Te Wai Pounamu.

Maia has always been a role model for the young and old from Te Hikuwai Kohanga Reo (1982-) to Te Puna o Waione (2019-2021) whether it be a kaiāwhina/cook/cleaner/van driver.

Maia would like to acknowledge cousin Bruno Gardiner in having set the vision in place and to the other cousins Eva and Joyce for being supportive in making this role possible, and to Sonia Hawkins and Kirsten Rei for all their assistance they have provided.

Finally, I hope to make all my Tupuna proud.

In August 2025, Steven was employed on a fixed year contract to undertake the role Kaitautoko Rehita(Share Registry Administrator)

His primary focus will be share registry inquiries, ie, updating our share register, shareholder queries, shareholder payments and successions, he is the first face you will see on our reception when visiting our office.

He has had many ventures, through partly studying at university and working within different sectors, from horticulture to hospitality, his strong commitments to helping our people get the best outcomes is what drives him to provide excellent service.

More importantly, Steven’s appointment marks a significant milestone for Rotomā as we are proud to have another one of our own on-board.

In April 2024, Mereaira was employed as our Kaitautoko Rehita (Share Registry Administrator).

Her primary focus will be share registry inquiries, ie, updating our share register, shareholder queries, shareholder payments and successions, she is the first face you will see on our reception when visiting our office.

He uri tēnei nō Ngāti Pikiao, ā, nō Te Whānau-ā-Apanui hoki

She has a passion for all things Te Ao Māori. Kapa Haka, Taiao, Reo Māori & Whānau. Working alongside her iwi has always been something she has been passionate about doing. Mō aku koeke, mō te apōpō. Me mihi kau atu ki ōku tupuna i tō rātou ngana ki te tiaki whenua māori. Mei kore ake ko rātou, kua kore mātou i tēnei rā.

She has worked in the tourism and hospitality sectors which she has gained more knowledge about her people and Te Ao Māori.

More importantly. Mereaira’s appointment marks a significant milestone for Rotomā as we are proud to have another one of our own on-board.