James Te Puni (Ngāti Porou)

James Te Puni is the Kaiwhakahaere Matua for Te Āhuru Mōwai and has been on the board of Barnardos NZ since 2015.

MBA Well

James Te Puni was first appointed by the University Council to a four year term commencing 1 January 2021, and reappointed to a further four year term commencing 1 January 2025.

Mr Te Puni has held a number of senior management roles across a broad range of sectors. He is the Kaiwhakahaere Matua for Te Āhuru Mōwai, a Ngāti Toa-led initiative that delivers social housing in the Porirua/Tawa area, and has been on the board of Barnardos NZ since 2015 (including as chair). His previous roles include as chief executive of the Hurricanes and Wellington Rugby, and the General Manager Māori at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

James is an alumnus of Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington and has previously served as an external member on the University’s Te Aka Matua Committee and MBA Advisory Committee.

Current term

1 January 2025–31 December 2028

Number of previous terms

One