Recent appointments

Ngā kopounga hōu

Sabena Blackhall, Chief Advisor

Wellington City Council

Niche is pleased to announce the appointment of Sabena Blackhall as Chief Advisor, Office of the Chief Executive at Wellington City Council.

Sabena is an accomplished senior advisor with extensive experience supporting Ministers and senior leaders in complex public sector environments. Most recently, she served as Private Secretary to the Minister for Social Investment, where she provided trusted strategic advice and managed the flow, quality, and prioritisation of information to support effective decision-making.

As Chief Advisor, Sabena will work closely with the Chief Executive and executive leadership team as they navigate the complex strategic, political and community considerations that shape Wellington City Council's work. Her ability to build trusted relationships, coordinate across diverse interests and provide clear, pragmatic advice will contribute to the effective operation of the Chief Executive's office and help deliver outcomes that make a positive difference for Wellingtonians.

Ngarimu Blair, Tumu Whakarae (Chief Executive)

Ngā Maunga Whakahii o Kaipara Development Trust

Niche is pleased to acknowledge the appointment of Ngārimu Blair as Tumu Whakarae (Chief Executive) of Ngā Maunga Whakahii o Kaipara Development Trust, the post settlement governance entity for Ngāti Whātua ki Kaipara.

Ngārimu is a highly respected Māori leader with extensive experience in iwi governance, organisational transformation and longterm asset stewardship. His career includes foundational executive leadership roles within Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, alongside senior governance appointments across Crown entities, infrastructure, housing, science and whenua based organisations. His leadership is grounded in tikanga Ngāti Whātua, mātauranga Māori and a strong commitment to intergenerational wellbeing.

As Tumu Whakarae, Ngārimu works in close partnership with the Board to provide strategic, cultural and organisational leadership, supporting the advancement of whānau, hapū and marae aspirations and strengthening the Trust’s capability to deliver enduring outcomes for Ngāti Whātua ki Kaipara, now and into the future.

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Paul Stowers, National Manager, Workplace Relations

Fire and Emergency New Zealand

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Paul Stowers as Interim National Manager, Workplace Relations at Fire and Emergency New Zealand.

Paul is a highly experienced employment relations and mediation specialist with more than 25 years’ experience across the public and private sectors. His background includes extensive senior mediation work at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and longstanding consultancy experience advising organisations on employment relations, collective bargaining, investigations, and health and safety.

Joining at a time of organisational complexity and change, in his interim role Paul will provide steady leadership across Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s Workplace Relations function, with responsibility for employee and industrial relations, union engagement, collective bargaining, and specialist employment advice.

Kaupapa Māori, Trustee Appointments

Auckland City Mission

Niche congratulates Riana Manuel, Bronwyn Puata Koroheke and Atawhai Tibble, who have been appointed as Trustees of Te Tāpui Atawhai | Auckland City Mission, and David Tikao and Karen Vercoe MNZM, who have been appointed as Directors of Auckland City Mission Housing Limited.

These appointments bring a valuable mix of governance, leadership and community experience. Working alongside their fellow board members and the executive leadership team, they will support the ongoing work of Te Tāpui Atawhai and Auckland City Mission Housing Limited in serving people and whānau across Tāmaki Makaurau and contributing to the Mission’s vision of a city where everyone can thrive.

These appointments bring a valuable mix of governance, leadership and community experience. Working alongside their fellow boardmembers and the executive leadership team, they support the ongoing work of Te Tāpui Atawhai and Auckland City Mission Housing Limited in serving people and whānau across Tāmaki Makaurau and contributing to the Mission’s vision of a city where everyone can thrive.

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Sarfraz Hapuku, National Manager, People Operations

Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Niche is pleased to announce the appointment of Sarfraz Hapuku as Interim National Manager, People Operations at Fire and Emergency New Zealand.

Sarfraz brings deep expertise across people operations, HR systems, workforce data and analytics, recruitment operations and largescale payroll functions, alongside experience leading organisations through periods of change and transformation. His background includes senior leadership roles at the Ministry for the Environment and Findex.

Joining at a critical point in time, Sarfraz will provide continuity and oversight across business as usual people operations while also supporting Fire and Emergency New Zealand through a significant payroll and HRIS platform replacement programme.

Mike Panapa, Manahautū (Chief Executive)

Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa

Niche acknowledges the appointment of Mike Panapa as Manahautū (Chief Executive) of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa.

Mike is a highly respected kaupapa Māori leader, deeply grounded in Ngāti Awatanga, with extensive experience across iwi development, governance, hauora, education, taiao and organisational leadership. Most recently, he has served in a senior iwi leadership role within Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa, working closely with the Manahautū, Board and hapū to support the delivery of Te Toki, strengthen governance practice, and build organisational capability.

As Manahautū, Mike will provide strategic, cultural and operational leadership to Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa, working alongside the Board, hapū and subsidiaries to advance iwi aspirations, strengthen intergenerational wellbeing, and ensure the organisation continues to uphold mana motuhake, tikanga and kaitiakitanga in all that it does.

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Karla Rimupae Aupouri, Kaitohutohu Whakarae Māori (Chief Advisor, Māori)

Local Government New Zealand

It is with pleasure that Niche announces the appointment of Karla Rimupae Aupouri as Kaitohutohu Whakarae Māori (Chief Advisor, Māori) at Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ).

Karla has extensive experience providing strategic Māori leadership across both central and local government, alongside legal experience in resource management, Treaty matters and Māori land law. Her work is grounded in tikanga Māori, mātauranga Māori and a deep understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

In her role as Chief Advisor Māori, Karla will work closely with LGNZ leadership, Te Maruata, the National Council and councils across Aotearoa to strengthen Te Tiriti partnerships, embed te ao Māori across LGNZ’s strategy and operations, and support the local government sector to deliver practical, manaenhancing outcomes for Māori communities.

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Yazmin Juned, General Counsel

Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai

Niche is pleased to announce the appointment of Yazmin Juned as General Counsel at Taumata Arowai – the Water Services Authority.

Yazmin brings more than 15 years’ experience as a senior inhouse lawyer across the public sector, with deep expertise in public, commercial and regulatory law. In previous roles as Director Legal and Risk at Kāinga Ora and General Counsel at Pharmac, she led large, multidisciplinary teams and advised Boards and Chief Executives on complex legal, governance, litigation and regulatory matters through periods of significant organisational change.

As General Counsel, Yazmin will lead the Authority’s legal and litigation functions, providing strategic advice to the Chief Executive, Board and Te Puna in support of Taumata Arowai’s regulatory mandate.

Update: Yazmin became Acting Head of Corporate in May 2026.

Tania Gerrard, Director, Te Tiriti & Partnerships

Department of Internal Affairs | Te Tari Taiwhenua

We warmly congratulate Tania Gerrard on her appointment as Director, Te Tiriti & Partnerships at Department of Internal Affairs.

Tania is a highly respected Māori–Crown relationship and partnership leader with more than two decades of experience spanning central government, science and emergency management. Most recently, she served as General Manager Māori Partnerships and Government Relations at GNS Science, alongside a concurrent secondment as Chief Advisor Māori at the National Emergency Management Agency. Her career also includes senior leadership roles at the Ministry for the Environment, the Waitangi Tribunal, and the Office of Treaty Settlements.

As Director, Te Tiriti & Partnerships, Tania leads a dedicated team responsible for the Department’s Māori–Crown relationships and Treaty obligations.

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Rēnata Blair, Chief Executive

Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua

Niche acknowledges the appointment of Rēnata Blair as the Whakahaere (Chief Executive) of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua.

Rēnata is a highly respected Ngāti Whātua leader with extensive senior executive and governance experience across the public, financial and iwi sectors.

As Chief Executive, Rēnata works closely with the Board, uri, marae and hapū to lead Te Rūnanga through its strategic priorities, including the completion of the Wai 303 settlement and transition into the postsettlement environment. His appointment reflects strong kaupapa Māori leadership, deep experience in iwi–Crown relationships, and a clear commitment to advancing the wellbeing, identity and intergenerational aspirations of Ngāti Whātua.

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Sandra Kirby, Chief Executive

Rural Women New Zealand

Niche is delighted to announce the appointment of Sandra Kirby as Chief Executive of Rural Women New Zealand.

Sandra is a respected leader in member based organisations, with deep expertise in advocacy, stakeholder engagement, governance and organisational transformation. Most recently, she served as Chief Executive of Physiotherapy New Zealand, and previously as Chief Executive of Arthritis New Zealand.

As Chief Executive, Sandra will work closely with Rural Women New Zealand’s Board, members and partners to strengthen the organisation’s impact, visibility and sustainability in support of connected and thriving rural communities across Aotearoa.

Mark Leslie, Independent Director

Hill Labs

Niche announces the appointment of Mark Leslie as an Independent Director of Hill Laboratories.

Mark is currently the Chief Executive of Pāmu (Landcorp Farming) and he brings more than 30 years’ executive and governance experience across New Zealand’s primary industries. He has deep expertise in largescale operations, supply chains, risk and health and safety, and has led significant business transformations in science driven environments.

As an Independent Director, Mark will contribute strong operational and commercial insight, governance experience and a deep understanding of applied science and primary industries, supporting Hill Labs’ continued growth, performance and commitment to scientific excellence.

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Reuben Levermore, Chief of Staff

Waka Kotahi | New Zealand Transport Agency

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has appointed Reuben Levermore as Chief of Staff following an executive search led by Niche.

Reuben brings deep senior leadership experience across the public and private sectors, most recently as Head of Government and Regional Affairs at Air New Zealand. His career includes significant roles with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, including serving as New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines and as Ambassador to Thailand, Cambodia and Lao PDR.

As Chief of Staff, Reuben will work closely with the Chief Executive, Board and Executive Leadership Team to provide strategic advice across governance, risk and organisational priorities, strengthening alignment between strategy and delivery at Waka Kotahi.

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Michael Wink, General Manager

Hill Labs

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Wink as General Manager, Operations at Hill Labs.

Michael brings extensive experience in large scale laboratory operations, most recently leading Fonterra’s national laboratory network. A respected people centred leader, Michael has a strong record in driving operational excellence, continuous improvement and innovation across high throughput, regulated environments.

As a member of Hill Labs’ Executive Leadership Team, Michael will lead and optimise laboratory operations to support quality, growth and performance.

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