National Urban Māori Authority appoints Bernie O’Donnell to Te Mātāwai Board
Media release
Te Mātāwai Co-Chairs, Waihoroi Shortland and Mereana Selby, welcome the appointment of veteran Māori sector broadcaster Bernie O’Donnell (Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāi Tahu) as the Pae Motuhake o Te Reo Tukutuku representative to the Board of Te Mātāwai.
Bernie has served on Te Pae Motuhake o Te Reo Tukutuku since its inception and was appointed to the Board of Te Mātāwai in September 2020. Bernie replaces current Te Reo Tukutuku board member, Hēmi Dale, with effect from 1 October 2020.
He has extensive experience working in the Māori radio broadcasting industry including 16 years with UMA Broadcasting where his roles having included Station Manager, Producer, Executive Producer and General Manager. Bernie recently completed his MBA (Master of Business Administration) with Auckland University, where he also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Māori Business Development.
Te Mātāwai Co-Chair Waihoroi Shortland says, “Te Mātāwai is delighted to welcome Bernie and his vast knowledge in shaping the rights of Māori in urban settings as former MUMA Chair, and expertise in Māori broadcasting.”
Bernie’s governance experience includes serving on Auckland District Health Board and Manukau Urban Māori Authority where he recently took up the chairmanship.
Bernie says, “I am humbled to be representing the interests of urban Māori on the Te Mātāwai board. I was raised in Auckland and have spent much of my working life representing Māori who, like me, live away from their papakāinga”.
Te Mātāwai would like to thank outgoing board member, Hēmi Dale, for his hard-work and commitment during the past three years.
Te Mātāwai Co-Chair, Mereana Selby says, “Not only has Hēmi led the work of Te Reo Tukutuku he was a member of our Kōmiti Rangahau which provides leadership to our strategic research agenda. We wish Hēmi well with the projects he is involved in and know that while he leaves the Te Mātāwai board, his on-going commitment to the revitalisation of Māori language continues”.
Bernie will attend his first Te Mātāwai board meeting in October 2020.
ENDS