28 February 2019

Hemi Rolleston has joined Scion as General Manager Māori Forestry Futures, a new executive role at the Crown research institute.

Hemi (Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāi Te Rangi and Ngāti Ranginui) was welcomed at a pōwhiri on Wednesday 27 February. He comes to Scion after five years at Callaghan Innovation, and before then Hemi spent seven years as the Inaugural Chief Executive of Te Awanui Hukapak, a 100% Māori owned kiwifruit company in Mount Maunganui.

Hemi says he is “very excited to be joining Scion to bring my skills, experience and connections to an organisation that has such a pivotal role to play in partnering with Māori. I have been privileged to have been part of the Callaghan Innovation journey and now I look forward to the new challenge ahead. And of course, I am personally thrilled to be returning home.”

A former Director of the Rotorua Lakes Council entity Grow Rotorua and Priority One in Tauranga, Hemi is currently a Director on Ngāti Whakaue Assets Trust and Ngamanawa Inc who have significant investments in Forestry.

Scion Chief Executive Dr Julian Elder says the General Manager Māori Forestry Futures is a new senior leadership role that will assist Scion to enhance and respond effectively to the significant involvement of Māori in the New Zealand forestry sector.

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