Senior executive, governance leader and cultural transformation specialist

Overview

Trina Tamati is one of New Zealand's most accomplished Māori wāhine executives — a 25+ year senior leader in sport, entertainment and corporate environments, former Managing Director of Ticketek NZ and the leader behind the NRL Auckland Nines. Today she runs Tōnui Management Consultancy and speaks on leadership, governance, cultural transformation and unleashing the potential of rangatahi.

Who is Trina Tamati? Of Māori descent, Trina has held senior roles in NZ, the UK, Europe and Australia. She was General Manager of the NRL Auckland Nines, Managing Director of Ticketek New Zealand, and has served on multiple boards including AFL NZ, Rugby League Hawkes Bay and others. She has been named Māori Sports Administrator of the Year (2014), NZ Event Professional of the Year (2015) and Next Women of the Year — Sport (2016). She holds a Graduate Diploma in Māori Development from AUT and has trained in te reo Māori at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.

Career Highlights • Director and CEO, Tōnui Māori Economic Consultancy • Former Managing Director, Ticketek New Zealand • General Manager, NRL Auckland Nines tournament • Māori Sports Administrator of the Year, 2014 • NZ Event Professional of the Year, 2015 • Next Women of the Year — Sport, 2016

Key Speaking Themes • Leadership and governance in Aotearoa • Cultural transformation and cultural intelligence • Diversity, equity and breaking the boardroom "echo chamber" • Empowering rangatahi and pathways for Māori and Pasifika talent • Major event leadership and commercial growth

What Your Audience Will Gain Trina is sharp, warm and unmistakably grounded in te ao Māori. Audiences leave with practical insight on how to build genuinely inclusive leadership and governance — and the kind of mana-based energy that gets things moving.

Ideal For • Board and governance development events • Leadership and women in business conferences • Sport, entertainment and major event forums • Diversity, equity and cultural intelligence programmes • Awards nights and gala dinners

Frequently Asked Questions...

What does Trina Tamati speak about? Leadership, governance, cultural transformation, diversity, women in leadership and empowering Māori and Pasifika talent.

What is Tōnui? Trina's consultancy, focused on cultural intelligence, governance and inclusive leadership for organisations across Aotearoa.

What awards has Trina Tamati received? Māori Sports Administrator of the Year (2014), NZ Event Professional of the Year (2015), Next Women of the Year — Sport (2016), among others.

What major events has Trina Tamati led? The NRL Auckland Nines as General Manager, and later led commercial and operational growth at Ticketek New Zealand as Managing Director.

Where has Trina Tamati served on boards? Roles have included AFL NZ, Rugby League Hawkes Bay, Employers and Manufacturers Association and other community and sporting boards.

Is Trina Tamati available for keynotes and MC roles? Yes. Trina is in demand as a keynote speaker, MC and panel chair for governance, leadership and culture-focused events across NZ.