They hold office for a term of up to three years with re-election possible.  The Committee has full capacity to discharge the obligations of the Incorporation in the best interest of the shareholders, following are profiles of the current Committee of Management:

Chair – James Mason Russell

James was appointed to the Committee of Management in 1981 and was elected Deputy Chair in 2002.  James served 28 years in the Merchant Navy Service and retired in 1987 to assist and participate with Ngai Tahu against the Crown as part of Te Kereme and the subsequent Settlement.  James was elected to the Rakaia Incorporation in 1991 and was then elected Chair in 1997 and also serves as Trustee of several Maori land blocks on the Tai Poutini.  James now enjoys his retirement in the Arahura Valley.

 deputy chair - JANYNE MORRISON

Janyne (Dottie) Morrison is a self-employed human resources consultant who specialises in capability development, organisational culture, design and development work for Iwi and Māori organisations.  Both sides of Dottie’s family live on the Coast.  She has a Master’s degree in Management and a BA in Māori Studies and is an accredited Gallup Strengths Finder coach.  Married to Craig she has three children and is a Partner in Tū Maia, a company which specialises in leadership development, innovation and venture development.  She considers being a Committee member a privilege and is dedicated to working hard for intergenerational growth and benefit to the shareholders.

Marie Louise Davidson

Marie Louise was elected to the Committee of Management in 2012.  Marie Louise currently works for the ASB Westland Rural team as a Rural Account Manager and brings significant investment and financial management experience to the COM and enjoys contributing towards the growth of Mawhera assets for future generations.  Marie Louise lives with her husband and two children and resides at Awatuna.

 TUHORANO WILSON

Tuhorano joined the committee in 2015, and is committed to increasing his knowledge of the Incorporation's activities and learning from each meeting. He is currently a builder, and a dedicated rugby player. 

TIM RERITI

Tim hails from Ngāi Tuahuriri me Ngāti Waewae and is currently a Māori Cultural Capacity Case Manager for ACC based in Christchurch.  He has four tamariki and one mokopuna and is a Director of KP Holdings NZ Ltd which focuses on economic development for Māori.  Tim is also a current Board member of Rakaia Incorporation.

TIHOU MESSENGER-WIPOU

Tihou drives Tuia Te Tai Poutini an initiative that enhances rangatahi Māori leadership in a creative space, through working with their whānau on the Tai Poutini. In 2015 Tihou was awarded the Vodafone World of Difference scholarship which helped him evolve Tuia Te Tai Poutini.  Tihou is committed to increasing the opportunities for our people to reconnect with the whenua and is keen to see riparian planting underway on our lands.