Waitangi National Trust chair, Tania Simpson
It was her first Waitangi Day as chair of the Waitangi National Trust, but far from her first overall.
Tania Te Rangingangana Simpson
A board member for almost nine years and former deputy chair, Tania Simpson was well within her element at Waitangi last week.
“We had events throughout the week,” she told The News. “The dawn ceremony was beautiful and I did the opening welcome. After that, there were other events, the waka were out on the water and, overall, it was a very happy, festive day.”
Compared with some previous years, there were no major controversies on the day.
“During the dawn ceremony, David Seymour was heckled, largely because it’s a church service and his address was more like electioneering,” Simpson said. “The congregation kept reminding him that he should be giving a karakia, a prayer, and that it’s not a platform for political statements.”
Originally from Ōtorohanga, Simpson lives in Mātangi and she has strong ties across Waipā and the King Country. She is a professional director with almost 30 years’ experience in governance.
Simpson was named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2024 New Year Honours for services to governance and Māori.
She stepped down from lengthy service on the Waitangi Tribunal before stepping up from her deputy chair role to lead the Waitangi National Trust board.
“As chair, you gain a deeper understanding of responsibilities,” Simpson said. “The board as a whole is responsible, but you’re guiding a lot of what happens and making sure the board is fulfilling its obligations, so it is another layer of responsibility.”
Being the first wahine to chair the trust since it was established in 1932 added extra expectations.
“It’s made it even more of a responsibility, to be able to ensure other women are given opportunities to step into this role – it has been a big factor but I’ve also received a lot of support.”
Tania Te Rangingangana Simpson
Simpson will step down in June when her maximum term of nine years on the trust is complete.
“I’m really mindful that I only have a short term, so I’m doing as much as I can to make a strong contribution.”
Until then, Simpson may sit at the top of the table but administering the trust is a group effort, she said.
“Ngāpuhi in particular and the hapū that affiliates with the land have a very deep relationship, but there’s a myriad of stakeholders to liaise with,” she said.
“I’m not doing it on my own, though – there’s a big team around me. As long as we nurture relationships, listen, treat everybody with respect and collaborate, then it all works out pretty well.”
Tania Te Rangingangana Simpson (Tainui, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāpuhi) is an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to governance and Māori.
