5 minute read
Tupu te rau tātai tahuaroa
New Finance Manager, Erena Taylor
Ki te taha ki tōku māmā
Ko Te Atiawa, Ngāti Mutunga, Taranaki, Ngāruahine, Ngāti Ruanui ngā iwi
Ko Manukorihi, Puketapu, Ngāti Moeahu, Tiitahi Tamaahuroa, Hāmua Hāpōtiki, ngā hapū
Ko Owae, Muru Raupatu, Urenui Pā, Te Paepae o Te Raukura ki Parihaka, Oeo, me Taiporohēnui, ngā marae
Ko ōku mātua tūpuna ko Tangi Graham, nō te whānau Niwa, rāua ko Wīremu Graham nō te whānau Tito
Ko tōku māmā ko Christine Nicholas
Ki te taha ki tōku pāpā
Ko Margaret Jeffs rāua ko Brian Nicholas ōna mātua, Ko tōku pāpā ko Peter Nicholas. Ko Mangatoki te kāinga.
Ko Troy Taylor taku hoa rangatira, nō Kaipakopako ia Tokotoru ā māua tamariki.
Nō reira ko Erena Taylor ahau.
The journey to becoming Te Rau Tātai Tahuaroa / Finance Manager at PKW for Erena Taylor is a story deeply embedded in the rich, fertile whenua of Taranaki, where she grew up. A childhood spent on a dairy farm gave her a strong sense of commitment to the people and land of Taranaki.
Erena’s early life in South Taranaki was shaped by the rhythms of farming, the importance of a strong work ethic and the enduring influence of her father, Peter, and mother, Christine, who is also a Rau Titikura / Shareholder of PKW.
Erena was also surrounded by her extended whānau, who nurtured a connection to the land and community that she characterises as Taranakitanga - the manifestation of an enduring commitment to the people and the whenua of Taranaki.
“I grew up on the family dairy farm in Mangatoki, South Taranaki, where my father’s whānau had been for several generations. This childhood gave me an insight into understanding farming, and what it meant for generations to be looking after the whenua,” said Erena.
“We later moved up to New Plymouth when I was a teenager, but South Taranaki is still home for me and in my opinion the best side of the maunga,” she jests.
From these pastoral beginnings, Erena’s aspirations extended beyond local possibilities when, with the aid of a PKW education grant, she achieved her Bachelor of Business Studies in Finance and Economics from Massey University in 2003.
Like many of her generation, Erena travelled overseas before establishing her career in Aotearoa. With the benefit of her academic background, she spent five years in the United Kingdom where she worked in various financial and non-financial roles.
“The experience abroad enriched my financial acumen and introduced me to global business practices that now enhance my role at PKW, where we combine international standards with local values,” she said.
Upon returning to Taranaki at the end of 2008, Erena’s career took a decisive turn towards financial management.
She joined PwC as an accountant, where her role evolved significantly over the years. While navigating her responsibilities at PwC, Erena embarked on a rigorous academic path, part-time, which culminated in her earning a graduate diploma in Accounting enabling her to become an Associate Chartered Accountant and advance to a senior tax consultant role.
“In 2016, I began working within the finance team at PKW, initially on secondment from PwC for 18 months before it became a permanent position setting me on the path to this new role.”
As Te Rau Tātai Tahuaroa, Erena’s responsibilities extend beyond the typical confines of financial management. She is a steward of the community’s assets, dedicated to both protecting and nurturing the financial health of PKW for the benefit of current and future generations.
“The dinner table conversations I listened to as a child about PKW were my first lessons in business ethics and community responsibility,” Erena remembers.
“I learned there were different views for the same issue, and there were differences between communities’ views between te ao Māori and land ownership of farmers at that time. This in hindsight probably drove my desire to want to work in kaupapa Māori and finance.”
Mentors such as Brent Hulbert from PwC and Joe Hanita, former CFO at PKW, have been instrumental in guiding her through the complexities of balancing a demanding career with personal growth and family responsibilities. Their support, alongside the unwavering backing of her extended whānau - parents, aunties, uncles - has been pivotal to her success.
Erena sees her role at PKW as an opportunity to blend business practices with cultural values, with an emphasis on the importance of Taranakitanga and community oriented approaches.
“There were times when the balance between personal life and professional obligations seemed overwhelming, but the support from my family and PKW has been crucial,” she shares, highlighting the dual role of her support network at home and at work.
“My whānau are also important role models and support for me over the years - my parents, aunties and uncles, and, of course, my husband Troy. And my tamariki (stepson Tyrone 24, Kaitlin 12, and Charlie 8) – they are constantly challenging and teaching me to grow!”
Reflecting on her journey, Erena acknowledges her success is not solely her own.
“I hope my story can show other wāhine o Taranaki, and beyond that, with perseverance, whānau, and community support, it’s possible to overcome challenges and achieve great things.”
