JAMES BARRETT
Whau Valley,Whangārei
Summary
Dynamic senior leader with extensive experience across central government, iwi organisations, and education. Skilled at leading complex portfolios requiring strategic foresight, operational discipline, and strong iwi and community relationships. Known for uniting diverse stakeholders around common goals, using data and insights to drive service performance, and embedding Te Tiriti o Waitangi and tīkanga Māori into policy and practice. Experienced in regional change, crisis response, and building high-performance cultures that deliver better outcomes for whānau and communities.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Advisor
Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua
Whangārei, Northland
01.2023 - Current
- Lead advisor for Marine & Coastal Areas (MACA) application, preparing iwi for High Court hearings.
- Provide strategic leadership for the Education Portfolio, aligning historic strategies with modern needs.
- Support marae development planning for independence, growth, and sustainability.
- Collaborate with iwi, schools, and Crown agencies to strengthen partnerships and outcomes.
Teacher, Advisor & Mentor
Whangārei Girls’ High School
Whangārei
01.2019 - 01.2022
- Advised Principal and Senior Leadership on Mātauranga Māori, iwi engagement, and curriculum localisation.
- Mentored students and whānau, addressing equity needs and improving pathways.
- Brokered relationships between school leadership and Te Renga Paraoa iwi representatives.
Treaty Negotiator & Hāpu Communicator
Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua
01.2009 - 01.2015
- Represented hapū in Treaty negotiations, navigating high-stakes political environments.
- Strengthened relationships with iwi groups and Crown negotiators to progress settlements.
Project Manager / Relationship Manager
Ministry of Social Development
Wellington
01.2009 - 01.2012
- Delivered Whānau Ora and Refugee & Migrant programmes, managing contracts and policy alignment.
- Negotiated with communities to address deficits and lift capability to national standards.
- Led cross-agency projects in politically sensitive environments.
Kaitakawaenga Māori
Inland Revenue Department
Whangārei
01.2007 - 01.2009
- Built partnerships with iwi, hāpu, marae, and Māori land trusts to increase compliance and trust.
- Led the MAIA pilot project with Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust, tailoring IRD systems to Māori contexts.
- Influenced national monitoring tools, later adopted sector-wide.
Education
Bachelor of Education - Huarahi Māori
University of Auckland
01.2016
Certificate in Adult Education & Training -
NorthTec
01.2013
New Zealand Diploma in Business -
NorthTec
01.1997
Skills
- Strategic and operational leadership across government and iwi sectors
- Partnership building with iwi, hapū, whānau, communities, and Crown agencies
- Data-informed strategy, planning, and service delivery
- Change management, conflict resolution, and high-stakes negotiation
- Policy implementation and system transformation (Whānau Ora, Treaty, education reform)
- Crisis and welfare response leadership
- Fluent in Te Reo Māori; strong grounding in tikanga Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Pepeha
Ki te taha o tōku pāpā
Ko Pirongia te maunga
Ko Waipa te awa
Ko Tokikapu te marae
Ko Ngāti Kinohaku me Ngāti Rora ngā hapū
Ko Ngāti Maniapoto te iwi
Ki te taha o tōku māmā
Ko Tangihua me Whakatere ngā maunga
Ko Wairoa me Omanaia ngā awa
Ko Tangiterōria me Omanaia ngā marae
Ko Uriroroi, Te Parawhau me Te Māhurehure ngā hapū
Ko Ngāti Whātua me Ngāpuhi ngā iwi
Community Governance Leadership
- Trustee, Tangiteroria Marae – long-term governance and operational support.
- Founder, Te Waka Umanga o Whangārei – Māori Business & Professionals Network with 162 affiliates.
- Coach, Parihaka Sports Club & Mitamitaga o Le Pasefika Vaa-alo – developing rangatahi through waka ama.
- Presenter at World Conference on Health Promotion (2004) on bicultural workforce development.
References
Available on request.
Timeline
Senior Advisor
Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua
01.2023 - Current
Teacher, Advisor & Mentor
Whangārei Girls’ High School
01.2019 - 01.2022
Treaty Negotiator & Hāpu Communicator
Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua
01.2009 - 01.2015
Project Manager / Relationship Manager
Ministry of Social Development
01.2009 - 01.2012
Kaitakawaenga Māori
Inland Revenue Department
01.2007 - 01.2009
Bachelor of Education - Huarahi Māori
University of Auckland
Certificate in Adult Education & Training -
NorthTec
New Zealand Diploma in Business -
NorthTec