Whakaata Māori Executive Team

Ngarimu Parata (Ngāti Porou, Ngāi Tahu) is Kaiurungi Toi Tangata – Director People, Language and Culture at Whakaata Māori. A respected leader in language revitalisation and cultural transformation, he brings deep governance and leadership experience. In 2025, he served as a judge at Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga, one of the world’s most prestigious Indigenous performing arts events. At Whakaata Māori, he champions kaupapa Māori leadership and the promotion of Indigenous excellence across the organisation and beyond.

Sumeet Bhanot is Kaiurungi Ahumoni (Director of Finance) at Whakaata Māori. A Chartered Accountant with an MBA, he has over 15 years’ experience in senior finance roles in diverse sectors including NFP, healthcare, manufacturing, aviation, infrastructure, and education. Before joining Whakaata Māori, he was Head of Finance at Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland Museum for nearly 10 years and he has held senior roles at Air New Zealand and Qantas. During his career, Sumeet has been involved in several transformational projects, long-term financial sustainability, system implementations, and automating processes.

Hiria Pointon (Ngāti Pikiao, Te Whakatōhea) is the Pou Arorangi | Director Transformation & Delivery at Whakaata Māori. Hiria has deep strategy and policy expertise developed through a range of senior roles she has held at across the public service where she has led and championed a number of Māori development and innovation initiatives. In her current role, Hiria works across Whakaata Māori to ensure planning, transformation, governance, and special projects remain strategically aligned, and are delivered with pace and precision. Hiria also represents Whakaata Māori in high-trust relationships and strategic forums advancing the organisation’s strategic direction.

Maria Barlow (Te Rarawa, Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara) is Kaiurungi Pāpāho (Director of Content and Audience Engagement) at Whakaata Māori. With more than 20 years of experience in broadcasting, content strategy, and audience insights, she leads key editorial, production, and engagement teams across platforms like MĀORI+ and teaonews.co.nz. Maria worked across the development of the first Whakaata Māori Social Value Report — demonstrating how kaupapa Māori media strengthens language, identity, and wellbeing. She is a passionate advocate for Indigenous storytelling and a champion of Māori content creators.

Andrew McNaughton is Kaiurungi Hangarau (Director of Technology, Operations and Strategy) at Whakaata Māori. With over two decades of leadership in media and broadcast operations, Andrew brings deep expertise in transformation, innovation, and operational excellence. He has driven major transformation projects at Whakaata Māori, including a state-of-the-art studio build, comprehensive systems upgrades, and process innovations that improve agility and performance. Previously, Andrew held senior roles at Sky TV and the New Zealand Racing Board. He serves on the Freeview Board, supporting sector-wide development in Aotearoa broadcasting.