TRUSTEE CANDIDATE PROFILE 2020
Serena O'Donnell
Ko Kahuranaki te Maunga
Ko Ngaruroro te Awa
Ko Takitimu te Waka
Ko Ngati Kahungunu te Iwi
Ko Waipatu te Marae
Ko Mac O'Donnell taku matua
Ko Lynda O'Donnell taku whaea
Ko Serena O'Donnell taku ingoa
Tena koutou katoa,
I believe we are all Kaitiaki of this beautiful taonga that is Tataraakina C – a taonga that our Tipuna left in our care but we must not forget we are merely borrowing it from our tamariki.
My reasons for seeking election as a Trustee of Tataraakina C is to make a positive difference to the whenua and to the wellbeing of its owners and their uri.
The ways in which I hope to make a positive difference on the Board are :
Firstly, to reinforce a culture of mutual respect and Kotahitanga amongst our Board of Trustees and with our owners.
"Essentially, to encourage all trustees and owners to get in the same Waka, ensure all have a role to play in determining our vision for our tamariki and then allow the Trustees to plot and navigate that course, whilst gaining the trust of those intent on "boring holes in the bottom of our Waka", along the way."
Without the foundation of Kotahitanga our Tataraakina Waka will flounder, as it has so many times in the past, and we will not achieve the Vision for our Tamariki. We must put our ego's and individual agendas aside and concentrate on paddling-hard and in unison.
To that end, I believe I have the qualifications to be a good Trustee...to work with the other trustees and owners in ensuring our Waka is sound and stable to make the long journey ahead.
I know what good governance looks like, having served as a Trustee on Te Awahohonu Forest Trust for 16 years and two other successful hapu Trusts.
My mandate is :
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- to preserve and enhance the whenua
- to deliver meaningful benefits to the owners and their uri
- to develop and maintain good communication with the owners
Qualities I bring to the table beside my honesty and integrity are my business acumen, i.e a Bachelor of Business Degree, my own agri-business, and valuable commercial experience with Te Awahohonu Forest Trust.
In my free time I enjoy spending time in the bush – hunting and just walking the whenua.
I have a high work ethic and am passionate about empowering our people to strive for their collective or individual dreams.
Nga mihi maioha,
Serena O'Donnell