Wintec acknowledges the passing of former Chair Niwa Nuri

Thursday, 20 March 2025

Wintec acknowledges the incredibly sad passing of its former board Chair Niwa Nuri (Te Arawa).

Niwa Nuri, former Wintec Chairperson

A much-loved part of the Wintec whānau, Niwa was previously both a member and Deputy Chair of Wintec’s board and went on to become the final Chair of Wintec’s subsidiary board during the establishment of New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, prior to the formation of Te Pūkenga.

Niwa was a supporter of vocational education transformation, which in his words gave Wintec "the opportunity to think differently with others across the network, as we tackle the challenge of addressing parity in outcomes with Māori and Pasifika levels of achievement”.

He was instrumental in helping Wintec navigate the complex transition into Te Pūkenga as one of the first ITPs to become part of the national entity officially.

The final meeting of the Wintec Board in 2022. Back row (Left to right): David Christiansen Chief Executive, Tania Hodges, Niwa Nuri Wintec Board Chair, Margaret Devlin Deputy Chair, Heath Sawyer Kaimahi rep, Pamela Storey. Front row (Left to right): Raewyn Mahara, Michael Crawford and Kiri Goulter.

Warwick Pitts, Wintec Operations Lead particularly acknowledged the strong support Niwa provided the organisation around Ōritetanga and its Tōia Mai Excellence Framework.

“His ongoing support of these transformational kaupapa, empowered us to continue pushing forward and progressing them through the transition, despite the significant changes happening around us,” said Warwick.

Niwa had a huge spirit for community service, something he did with a big smile and a kind heart, contributing to many other entities and groups in the wider Waikato community over the years.

Niwa Nuri addresses audience at 2021 Wintec Graduation

As well as representing Wintec on its board as Chairperson, Niwa served as Chairperson for Trust Waikato and Lakes Trust’s Audit Finance and Risk Committee. He had also been a trustee on Te Arawa Lakes Trust, Ngati Tarāwhai Iwi Trust board, and Rototuna Primary School, and he was a fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

Warwick, along with other past and present members of Wintec’s executive leadership team were honoured to attend Niwa’s tangihanga.

“We wish to thank Daniel Ranga (Ngāti Māhuta ki Te Tai Hauāuru) for taking us and acting as our kaiwhaikōrero (speaker).

“Our thoughts and support are with Niwa’s whānau. We were incredibly blessed to have Niwa as part of our Wintec whānau and his legacy will remain.

“Kua hinga he totara i te wao nui a Tane,” said Warwick.

Read more about Niwa’s time at Wintec