1. Holden Hohaia
Mobile: 029 650 0759  Email: holden.hohaia@xtra.co.nz
Profile
An accomplished senior relationship manager with extensive central and local
government policy and operational experience. Currently leading a national
stakeholder engagement programme for New Zealand Post Group
• Significant experience as a General Manager and in senior executive level roles with
responsibility for up to 35 staff. Broad experience working at senior strategic/policy levels with
Chief Executives and Ministers
• Comfortable leading large and complex policy programmes that require a multidisciplinary
approach, including input from operational stakeholders, in order to achieve shared objectives
• Successfully built formal partnerships with Iwi across New Zealand. Reputation as a skilled
negotiator achieving positive outcomes for both Maori and the Crown
Career Summary
Govt and Community Relations Manager New Zealand Post Group 2014 – present
Director, Iwi Engagement Child, Youth & Family, MSD 2013 – 2014
General Manager Child Family & Community Policy, MSD 2009 – 2013
Manager Traffic Enforcement Wellington City Council 2008 – 2009
Support Manager - CitiOps Wellington City Council 2004 – 2008
Director Iwi/Maori Relationships Wellington City Council 2000 - 2004
Project Manager – Community Planning Wellington City Council 2002 – 2003
Interim General Manager (Secondment) Maori Language Commission 1999 – 2000
Private Secretary (Secondment) Office of Minister of Maori Affairs 1997 – 1999
Policy Manager Te Puni Kokiri 1992 – 1997
Selected Roles, Responsibilities & Achievements
General Manager – Child Family & Community Policy, MSD
Lead responsibility for Policy Work Programme behind Children’s Action Plan and Child, Youth and
Family budget initiatives 2010/11 and 2011/12.
• Oversight of $100m of new budget initiatives around ‘Vulnerable Children’ for FY 2010 – 2011
• Developed White Paper and engaged with Minister and Ministerial appointed external advisory
group for the subsequent Children’s Action Plan in response to the Green Paper
• Managed a policy team of 35 including Policy Managers, Team Leaders and Principal Advisers
• Acted regularly for Deputy Chief Executive Social Policy and Knowledge
• Regular and intensive engagement with the Minister in development of the Children’s Action
Plan, CYF budget Initiatives, Family Start review, Whanau Ora etc
• Represented MSD in DPMC led Whanau Ora interagency service design team
• Represented MSD in national consultation programme with Iwi and Maori social service
providers to promote Capability Investment Resource and foster NGO collaboration.
• Held full operational and contract management responsibility for Family Start programme
including $31m budget and 27 national and regional contracts.
• Led the operational review of the Family Start programme

2. Director, Iwi Engagement – Child Youth & Family, MSD
Led a national engagement programme with Ngapuhi, Ngati Porou, Ngati Kahungunu, Waikato-
Tainui, Ngai Tuhoe and Ngai Tahu to develop Memoranda of Understanding, Joint Service Delivery
Plans and shared work programmes.
• Built relationships through identifying shared aspirations and facilitating engagements with key
stakeholders from Waikato-Tainui. Developed a Joint Service Delivery Plan, signed a
Memoranda of Understanding and high level commitment to collaborate, information share,
and work in partnership to benefit at-risk children
• Leading interactions and facilitating meetings with other Iwi stakeholders in order to attain
similar agreements
• Engaged extensively with Iwi to produce Iwi Care plans
• Briefed senior management and Ministers as required
Support Manager – CitiOps – Wellington City Council
Operational responsibility for all solid waste management functions of Council Business Unit,
including 2 x Landfills plus Closed Landfill Monitoring / Management Programme.
• Operational responsibility for 40 staff – day to day landfill operation plus operational support
responsibility for Business Unit Manager
• Managed the design and construction of new CitiOps depot. Project managed the entire
programme, from design through resource and building consent, construction, contractor
management, community and staff consultation. $4m budget
• Manager Traffic Compliance – Responsible for managing $11m contracting budget for provision
of on-street collection and enforcement services i.e. Parkwise and Tennix services.
• Implemented Council resolution processes to reconfigure various and enforcement zones within
Wellington CBD catchment to optimise balance between revenue generation and safety.
Director, Treaty Relations – Wellington City Council
Led relationships with all local Iwi, Te Atiawa, Ngati Toa and other Maori social service providers.
Engagement with Te Aratahi Regional Iwi Forum. Member of Council Senior Management Team and
Adviser to Mayor, Chief Executive and Councillors regarding Iwi relationships.
• Facilitated linkages between the wider Council and Wellington Maori within a culturally-safe
framework that is tikanga-based
• Developed and maintained aspirations and needs of Wellington Maori supporting and leading
Treaty Relations work on designated projects, events and community issues
• Identified opportunities to improve services for Wellington Maori within existing budgets and
supported management to implement them
Interim General Manager (secondment) – Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori
Seconded from Minister’s office to implement the recommendations of the 1999 Ministerial Review
of the Maori Language Commission’s governance and operations.
• Led significant change management initiatives in a highly politicised subject area
• Extensive contact with Ministers, media management and policy/advocacy roles
• Managed the interface with Iwi and Maori language and education stakeholders
Policy Manager – Legislative Reform Unit – Te Puni Kokiri
 Led legislative reform process which resulted in amendments to the Maori Reserved Land Act
1955. Reform process moved leasehold arrangements onto market review periods and

3. market rentals, with compensation payable to leaseholders based on impact on property
rights
 Negotiated with leaseholders on compensation payable as a result of the legislative reform
process. Consulted with farmers, residential and commercial tenancies, community interest
groups regarding the reforms
 Led engagement with the Maori Affairs Select Committee on legislative reforms to the Maori
Land Act 1993 impacting on Forestry Rights and related provisions in Te Ture Whenua Maori
1003.
Professional Assets
 Leadership – proven experience leading large and diverse teams in highly complex and often
ambiguous environments
 Strategy development – successful in developing and implementing a number of strategic
initiatives. Future oriented and anticipates future consequences and trends
 Decision making – based on a mixture of analysis, wisdom, experience and judgment
 Relationship management skills – manage complex political situations effectively and quietly,
influences others to gain commitment and support of views, actions and recommendations
 Organised and results oriented – creates teams that want to do their best, delegates and
empowers others
 Communication – excellent written and verbal communication skills evidenced by a range of
complex reporting experiences and presentations at executive and Minister level
Education
Passed Bar Exam Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand 2005
Accredited Maori Language Interpreters Licence 2000
Bachelor of Laws Victoria University Wellington 1992
Professional Development
Graduated Executive Fellow Australia New Zealand School of Government 2010
Graduated Executive Program Darden School of Business, University of Virginia 2008
Additional Information
Nationality: NZ Maori – Ngati Maru / Taranaki Whanui ki Poneke
Interests: Chairman – Te Runanga o Ngati Maru
Chairman – Te Atiawa Advisory Committee to Weltec / Whitireia
Trustee – Taranaki Whanui ki Poneke
Trustee – Te Aro Pa Papakainga Development Trust
Referees: Available on request