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The New Zealand International Convention Centre has appointed Te Raukura Hawke as Pou Tikanga, becoming the only convention centre in New Zealand with a dedicated cultural advisor embedded within its core team.
The appointment strengthens NZICC’s partnership with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and is designed to ensure te ao Māori and tikanga are embedded throughout the venue’s operations and visitor experience.
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei chief executive Lisa Davis says the role reflects the iwi’s longstanding commitment to welcoming visitors to Tāmaki Makaurau.
“Te Raukura brings with him the whakapapa, tikanga and lived connection to this place that cannot be taught. As tangata whenua, we have always valued the way we welcome and manaaki manuhiri to Tāmaki Makaurau.”
Te Raukura, who is of Ngāti Whātua, Ngāpuhi and Tainui descent and was raised at Takaparawhau, Ōrākei, will advise on tikanga, protocol, language and cultural storytelling across events, while also building cultural capability within the NZICC team.
The appointment follows the formalisation of a strategic partnership between Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and SkyCity Auckland in 2024 and builds on the gifting of the convention centre’s Māori name, Te Tumu, by the iwi in 2023.
NZICC general manager Prue Daly says having a Pou Tikanga embedded within the organisation ensures its relationship with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei is reflected in day-to-day operations.
“Te Raukura brings meaning and purpose to everything we do, grounding our mahi in the history of this place and in what it truly means to represent Aotearoa New Zealand to the world.”
