Kiriwaitingi is a qualified solicitor who had previously held the role of CE at Māori Investments for 10 years. She is now the Head of Māori Alliances at Zespri, based in Tauranga.
While being heavily involved in the kiwifruit industry and Māori economic/commercial development, she currently holds directorships on Ngāti Awa Group Holdings Ltd, Waiu Dairy LP, Putauaki Trust, and the Zespri Sustainability Advisory Board. Kiriwaitingi is also the Deputy Chair of the Māori Kiwifruit Growers Inc and was the first women appointed to the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union. She was also a future Director to the Board of Auckland International Airport from 2016 – 2018.
Kiriwaitingi believes governance is important because it’s about making a difference, and she is passionate about changing the status quo around how companies and trusts operate. She says “an understanding of the fundamental principles of good governance is crucial to the long-term stability and success of any entity. However, the sole instrument for measuring success is no longer just economic outcomes - it is about complementing this with values of kaitiakitanga (environmental stewardship), manaakitanga (social responsibility), diversity and inclusion, and social equity”.
In her free time, Kiriwaitingi enjoys watching and participating in kapa haka, F45 and netball.
