Jason is a descendant of the Rogers whānau of Ngāti Whakaue (Ngāti Te Roro o te Rangi, koromatua hapū) and the Leonard whānau of Ngāti Rangiwewehi. Growing up in Rotorua, he earned a Bachelor of Management Studies (with Honours) from Waikato University.

Jason began his career at Ernst & Young and qualified as a Chartered Accountant for NZ and AU (CA). Over the course of his career he gained experience in a variety of organisations including a top 4 Global CA firm (Ernst & Young), a US investment bank (Bankers Trust), a large UK private equity house (Pacific Investments PLC), and a top 10 National Group Builder (Generation Homes).

Jason has extensive experience in governance, strategy, funds management, leadership mentoring, shareholder disputes, land development, property investment, strategic partnerships, business development, direct investment, and private equity.

Jason is now a professional director who serves as Chair, Independent Director, and Trustee on a number of boards. Additionally, he provides lead advisory services to select clients as a private equity, direct investment, and investment management specialist. Jason is passionate about utilising economic capacity to deliver better outcomes for, and advance the interests of Iwi.

Alicia’s professional journey reflects a rich tapestry of skills and experiences across healthcare, retirement village management and business. Starting as a NZ Registered Comprehensive Nurse in 1994, she advanced through specialized training under a Rheumatology Specialist at QE Health, to become a Nurse Specialist for 7 years.  Notably moving on to further her Clinical Management skills, becoming one of only two Māori Lakes DHB Nurse Managers by the early 2000’s.  Alicia’s commitment to healthcare was further strengthened by obtaining a Postgraduate Certificate in Business Management in 2004, showcasing her ability to blend clinical expertise with business acumen.

By 2015 Alicia’s growing passion for business and design led her to setting up and operating Boon Interior Staging.  This proved successful so to further enhance her business positioning and niche presence in the Rotorua and wider Taupo region, Alicia obtained an American Diploma in Re-Design and Home Staging in 2017. The experience of owning, operating, and selling a thriving business in Rotorua, which continues to flourish today, highlighted her skill and ability to integrate design with business acumen.

Guided by both personal reasons involving her husband’s own expanding business, Alicia transitioned back to healthcare, focusing on Retirement Village and Care Home Management in Tauranga rohe. 

With diverse experience and a honest commitment to improving the outcomes for our people,  Alicia feels well-positioned to leverage her skills to make a tangible difference for whānau at Ōwhata Kōhanga Rākau. 

Dan has a 40- year career in residential housing and land and development and is highly respected in these industries for his enthusiasm and abilities. Dan has a post graduate degree in Business and tertiary qualifications in Science and Forestry.

From 1981-1995 Dan was a senior manager with New Zealand’s then largest residential developer Fletcher Residential. Between 2001 and 2008 he led a large group of professionals to achieve the zoning and development of Addison, a successful 1500 home medium density development in Takanini, South Auckland.

Combined with more recent experiences at Kensington Park, Hobsonville Point and Warkworth Ridge, Dan brings a wealth of experience in medium and high-density housing developments. 

Dan also currently serves as a Director of Paerata Rise, a 5000-lot housing development in South Auckland.  

Rangimahuta has extensive experience in governance and management with whānau hapū and iwi. She has provided leadership within her own whānau, representing them on the Marae in Ngāti Rangiteaorere ki Ōwhata Marae and Ngāti Whakaue ki Ohinemutu. 

Rangimahuta holds senior positions in various Iwi Authorities and Trusts, including being a trustee on the Ngāti Rangiteaorere legal governance entity – the Ngāti Rangiteaorere Koromatua Council, the Mokoia Island Trust, the Rangitarahae Hororiri Wiringi Whānau on Te Matawai, Karioi Urupa, and the Ōwhata 2B & 7 Trust.  

She is also the chairperson of the Ngāti Tuteniu Trust and the Rangiteaorere Māori Committee of Te Arawa District of the NZ Māori Council, and the chairperson and trustee on the Te Ihimaera Wiringi Whānau Trust, Whakapoungakau 2D2B2B2, and is the Te Matawai preferred registered provider for Rangitarahae/Hororiri/Wiringi Whānau Trust. 

Dave Robinson is from Nga Ruahine and Te Atiawa. He was elected as a Trustee for Ōwhata 7 during the 2019 AGM.  

His whakapapa to Ōwhata 7 is through his Nanny Kataraina Wepiha/Robinson from Waitangi, Tapu ika.  

With 40 years of experience in the industry, Dave is a self-employed, qualified and registered electrician who also received the Māori Trade Training in the 1970s.  

He is married to Moana and they have four adult children. Dave is passionate about building a secure financial future for the Ōwhata 2B & 7 whānau by maximizing Trust assets and minimizing risk. 

John is a well-respected Trustee and has been on the Ōwhata 2B & 7 board for almost 40 years.

He was adopted by his biological kuia’s sister, Te Paea Wihau, and was raised on the Ōwhata 7 Block with other children Te Paea fostered.

John’s background is in the health sector, having achieved the Royal Society of Health Diploma in Public Health at Wellington Polytechnic before working in Hamilton Health District as a Field Officer for 15 years.

John brings a wealth of knowledge of the whenua and the Trust to his position as a Trustee. John has also served on Owhatiura South 5 Inc., Pukaingataru B2 B3A, Mangaorewa Kaharoa A, Waiteti 2A1 2B2, Waiteti 21B 4B2C, and Te Karangi B2B (active).

Of Ngāti Whakaue descent, Roana holds a Bachelor of Management Studies from the University of Waikato.

She was elected as a trustee of Ōwhata 2B Trust in 2022 and brings 35 years’ experience in governance and senior management across both commercial and not-for-profit sectors.

Roana holds roles with a number of trusts, companies and charities including Te Arawa Lakes Trust, Te Arawa Management Limited and Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketu.

Her strengths are in governance, leadership, strategy, project management and climate change adaptation.

Her work for iwi was recognised when she was awarded finalist for the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Award in 2015. She also led a successful campaign in the 2019 Westpac Rotorua Business Awards, winning the Best Not-for-Profit category.

Nireaha is a trustee for Ngāti Uenukukopako Iwi trust and Ōwhata 2b & 7 and has worked as a hāpu representative looking after hāpu affairs within central and local government for the last ten years.

Bringing Tikanga and Kawa as well as governance and administration skills to the Trust, Nireaha hopes to ensure that Māori as a people are enabled to follow their dreams. He also hopes to tear down barriers and build Māori up to thrive and prosper to become productive members of the hāpu/iwi.