Paul Morgan (Ngāti Rārua, Te Māhurehure) has dedicated his life to serving his people. He is widely respected locally, nationally and internationally as an astute Māori leader and entrepreneur who has been at the forefront of economic development, sustainable leadership and political advocacy for Māori for nearly four decades. In recognition of his services to Māori and business, Paul was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the New Year Honours.
While Paul says that he was “pleased to get the honour”, he acknowledges that he still has a lot he wants to achieve. Most importantly, Paul is passionate about investing in and building a new future for the generations to come and is committed to developing young leaders. Inspired by his parents, Paul says that he tries to find opportunities “to work with rangatahi and encourage them to think about their purpose and excel at whatthey want to do.”
The award recognises the work that Paul has done for the whānau of Wakatū as a director since 1986 and chairman since 2001 of the Wakatū Board, as well as his significant contribution for 10 years as Chief Executive of the Federation of Māori Authorities, NZ’s largest Māori business network.
He holds numerous commercial directorships and is on various government-appointed advisory and industry groups. He was recipient of the Tohu mō te Kaiārahi Whakahaere Māori, Māori Governance Award in 2019 and was made a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors in 2022. He says the key for an organisation is to focus on “what are our values, what do we believe in.”
“In my work, I encourage change and looking at things differently. If you want to create opportunities, you have to explore options,” he says.
Paul spends a lot of his time connecting with other people through social media and travelling overseas to explore ideas, opportunities, and options. He’s also a strong advocate for science-based solutions, particularly when it comes to creating a more circular, renewable economy, and supporting innovations.
“It’s important to create and grow knowledge and learn how we, as a country and a people, can do better. New Zealand has unique opportunities; we should never give that away.”
Paul has also been instrumental in helping iwi reclaim land of their forebears to develop commercial and social enterprises to restore social and economic wellbeing of Māori. For more than 30 years, he dedicated himself to seeking restitution associated with the Nelson Tenths and Occupation Lands, which included years of research and travel through the nation to engage with families affected. The claim was settled in 2017 when the Supreme Court recognised that the Crown owes legally binding duties to Māori landowners, independently of the Treaty of Waitangi or statute.
More recently, Paul oversaw the development of the Te Tauihu Intergeneraton Strategy, a long-term economic development blueprint for the top of the south. With a focus on tūpuna pono, being good ancestors, the strategy provides a collaborative leadership model for engagement, developing ideas, and assessing priorities, as well as identifying resources and support to progress them.
“I try and share the big picture with people and get them thinking long-term.”
By Judene Edgar
