More than just a job

A casual agreement to help out for a few months turned into a decade of dedicated mahi for Paul Maguire (pictured right), secretary for both Ātihau- Whanganui Incorporation (AWHI) and the Te Āti Hau Trust.

“It’s been so wonderful to be part of the team, and to have played a part in the growth and development of the business,” says Paul, an accounting compliance manager at Balance Chartered Accountants. “The people here have become more than just work colleagues, they are friends.”

The secretary role is being brought in-house as part of the organisation’s strategic plan and Charmaine Teki will be taking full control of the reins at the end of June.

Paul took on the role of secretary at the beginning of 2010, after Chris Scanlon, the AWHI CEO at the time, decided being in charge as well as being secretary was too much for one person as the organisation grew.

“Things have changed quite a bit since those days,” says Paul. “AWHI has become more strategic in how it manages its business and there has been a lot of diversification to complement the sheep and beef products.”

“That’s been reflected in the changes in board members. It used to be a farming-based board but now there are all sorts of skills around the table and the calibre of people who step up for election is amazing. It’s just one indication of how far the organisation has come.

“But one thing that hasn’t changed is the way AWHI does business, staying true to the Māori way of doing things. When I first joined I had very little Māori cultural knowledge and I was just blown away by how I was welcomed as part of the team right from the very start.

“At the beginning, this was just a job but it very quickly became much more than that. I shall miss all the people a great deal.”

During his decade at AWHI, Paul has organised 10 AGMs and worked with two AWHI Board Chairs – Dana Blackburn and Mavis Mulllins, and three Te Āti Hau Trust chairs – Toni Waho, Te Tiwha Puketapu and Keria Ponga.

In fact, Keria has worked with Paul from the beginning, firstly as an independent trustee, then a Trust board member and now as chair.

“Paul’s historical recall and institutional knowledge about the Trust, its stakeholders, our people; and the journey it has taken up to now is invaluable. We are really going to miss him,” says Keria. “I want to acknowledge the huge contribution Paul has made to the work of the Trust and, on behalf of the Board, wish him well for the future.”

Mavis Mullins, chair of the AWHI Board, also spoke highly of Paul’s diligence and commitment.

“Paul has always been a pleasure to work with and has been a great support to the board over the years. While the evolving nature of the business means he will no longer be on the team, his work has played a significant part in our ongoing success and I thank him wholeheartedly on behalf of us all – board members, staff and shareholders alike.”