New Year Honours: Dedicated to developing Māori opportunities in business

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Pania Tyson-Nathan is now a a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King

Pania Tyson-Nathan (Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Kahungunu) has been made a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (NZOM).

Dame Pania has received one of the most prestigious New Years Honours in recognition of her contribution to Māori and business.

For more than 30 years she has dedicated her career to advancing Māori economic development across community, business and government sectors.

Raised in the Hawkes Bay, she developed a sound understanding of business management early in life through her parents.

In August last year Dame Pania was inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame and is regarded as one of the most influential wahine Māori in business.

At the event celebrating the honour in Auckland the now Dame Pania said it was important to “never underestimate the teaching form the marae.”

“At the marae, the front doesn’t work without the back and vice versa.

“But it’s also about humility and those who are coming through the opportunity to be amongst others.

“Tā Wira Gardiner always said to me, ‘Go to war with what you’ve got’ and that’s exactly what we’ve done.”

Since becoming the CEO of New Zealand Māori Tourism in 2008 she has continued to build the industry and broaden understanding of the value of mātauranga Māori in business.

She has helped position NZ Māori Tourism as a key contributor, participant and influencer within the tourism industry today.

Her knowledge and leadership played a vital role in supporting the Māori tourism industry through the difficulties experienced throughout the Covid-19 pandemic where she continued to champion the innovative approaches Māori operators were taking.

Te Māhia is her home and those who know her well said she has maintained a humble demeanour and remains dedicated to her people.

Dame Pania’s dedication to ensuring Māori have the opportunities they deserve in business has been hailed as a type of leadership that is unique and profound as it focuses more on people than profits.

She is a wife and mother of eight children.