Our Management Team

Pouwhakahaere Shane Graham | Vickie Barkle | Michelle Lavender | John Charleton | George Stafford | Ngawaina Joy Shorrock | Dr Lorraine Eade |

Shane Graham, Pouwhakahaere (Chief Executive Officer)

Prior to joining Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rārua, Shane was a senior advisor at Te Pūni Kōkiri. Shane has whakapapa to Tainui waka through his iwi of Raukawa me Ngati Koroki-Kahukura and has resided in Te Tauihu for over 40 years.

Shane holds a number of qualifications including a Masters of Māori and Management and Diploma in Māori Law and Philosophy from Te Wananga o Raukawa.

Vickie Barkle, Pouāwhina Tāhūhū – Executive Assistant

With more than 20 years experience in office and financial administration Vickie comes with a great set of organisational, time management and communication skills. Vickie is of Te Ati-Haunui-A-Paparangi me Ngāti Tūwharetoa descent. She has lived in Nelson for 37 years, originating from the Buller district.

Michelle Lavender, Pou Ārahi (Operations Manager)

Michelle supports the operations of the Rūnanga and is based in Tokomaru House in Wairau. Michelle is a specialist in compliance so enjoys the clear cut policy mahi and sees it as vital to realising iwi aspirations. This, along with ensuring the success of all staff is what makes Michelle content in her role.

George Stafford, Pouwhakahaere Taiao (Environmental Manager)

Ngawaina Joy Shorrock, Pou Mauri Ora

John Charleton, Chief Investment Officer

Ko Taranaki te maunga
Ko Taranaki te Iwi
Ko Haumia te hapū
Ko Orimupiko te marae
Ko John Charleton toku ingoa

Tena koutou katoa. My name is John Charleton. Most recently I was employed as Chief Executive Officer for the Ngāti Rārua Ātiawa Iwi Trust. My goal is to work to deliver results that help achieve Te Rūnanga O Ngāti Rārua's twin major aspirations: whānau advancement on the one hand, and long-term sustainability on the other. I'm a Chartered Accountant with 25 years’ experience, including more than 10 years working with leading international financial institutions in the UK, the US and Australia.

Dr Lorraine Eade, Pou Rangahau Mātua

Lorraine has had 35 plus years working in strategy and planning, project and programme management, policy, iwi and Māori development in both the government and private sector.

She has wide experience in community support, education and health programmes. Her passion is whānau wellbeing, with research encompassing hapu development, tangata whaiora mental wellbeing, COVID-19, Māori cancer experiences and Ngāti Rārua tribal history.

Read more about Te Whare Rangahau o Tokomaru

Ngā Pou

Our pou are based on the values of Pono, Manaakitanga, Whakakotahi and whakamana.

Mauri Ora – Cultural

• Reclaim & revitalise our identity, language, and whanaungatanga
• Protect & celebrate our taonga, histories and traditions

Hononga – Social

• Respect & benefit for our people in a fair, equitable and enduring way that uplifts their quality of life
• Me mahi ngātahi tatou i te kore
• Connection & vitality to recreate each other as whānau

Taiao – Environment

• Whakarauora te Mauri to enhance the health of our waterways, mahinga kai and environment
• Settlement integrity to ensure opportunities now and into the future

Ohaoha – Economic

• Practice what we preach to generate social, cultural and environmental outcomes
• Rejuvenate the Ngāti Rārua economy by empowering our whānau