# Selwyn Parata

Sir Selwyn Tanetoa Parata KNZM (born 1956 or 1957) is a New Zealand Māori leader. He has served as chair of the Ngāti Porou tribal authority, Te Rūnanganui o Ngāti Porou, since 2014.

## Early life and education

Sir Selwyn Parata, born in 1956, grew up deeply rooted in his Ngāti Porou heritage. His upbringing was centered around the East Coast of Aotearoa, where he was immersed in the traditions and values of his iwi. He began his education locally before attending Ngata College, St. Stephen's College, and later studying at Victoria and Waikato Universities. His early years were influenced by his strong connection to te reo Māori, tikanga, and the importance of community leadership. These experiences set the foundation for his lifelong dedication to serving Ngāti Porou and advocating for Māori cultural preservation and autonomy.
His formative years also included work as a fencer and roles within the Department of Māori Affairs, experiences that reinforced his commitment to strengthening whānau and iwi through both practical and cultural means

## Career

Sir Selwyn Parata's career is defined by decades of leadership and service to Ngāti Porou, Māori culture, and New Zealand. Beginning as a fencer and later joining the Department of Māori Affairs, he quickly demonstrated a commitment to advancing Māori interests. His leadership journey includes extensive governance roles, serving as chair, deputy chair, and trustee of Te Runanganui o Ngāti Porou from its inception in 1987 until 2023. During this time, he played a pivotal role in Ngāti Porou's Treaty of Waitangi settlements and legislative initiatives, including the Ngāti Porou Claims Settlement Act 2012 and the Marine and Coastal Areas Act agreements.
Parata's influence extends into cultural advocacy through his role as chair of Te Matatini, New Zealand's premier kapa haka festival, since 2008. Under his guidance, Te Matatini has grown significantly, securing substantial government funding to support the development of kapa haka and Māori performing arts at all levels. This transformation has turned the festival into a national cultural cornerstone, attracting over 1.8 million viewers in recent years
Beyond these contributions, Parata has also chaired groups such as Rau Tipu Rau Ora, focusing on crisis response and recovery for events like the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters. His career reflects a deep commitment to strengthening iwi resilience, fostering Māori cultural identity, and advocating for effective partnerships between iwi and government

## Biography

Parata was born at Waipiro Bay in about 1956, the oldest child of Ron Parata and Hiria Reedy. His siblings include the former National Party cabinet minister and diplomat, Hekia Parata. Through his father, he affiliates to Ngāi Tahu, while on his mother's side he is of Ngāti Porou descent.
Parata was educated at Ngata Memorial College in Ruatoria and at St Stephen's College near Bombay. After leaving school, he worked in various jobs before being appointed as the cultural officer for the Gisborne region in the Department of Maori Affairs when he was 25 years old. He married Amohaere Houkamau, and the couple went on to have four children.
In 1987, Parata was elected a trustee of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Porou, and has served on that body and its successor, Te Rūnanganui o Ngāti Porou, ever since, becoming chair of the latter in 2014. He has also been chair of Te Matatini since 2008, as well as chair of Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa also since 2014.

## Honours

In the 2023 King's Birthday and Coronation Honours, Parata was appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to Māori.