Dame Pania Tyson-Nathan – Chief Executive

Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Kahungunu

Pania

Dame Pania is the Chief Executive of New Zealand Māori Tourism (NZMT) and has been involved in Māori business and economic development for 30+ years.

She has leveraged her extensive knowledge in business to elevate NZ Māori Tourism as a pivotal contributor, active participant, and influential leader in today’s tourism industry in Aotearoa and internationally.

‘Our sector has transitioned from product deliverers to experience providers, experience being at the forefront of our export sector, tourism, trade and investment.’

In 2023, she became a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Māori and business and was also bestowed the matai – the chief title – of Toluma’anave from the Satapuala village of Sāmoa.

She is married to her darling, Evan (Te Roroa), and together they have eight children and 13 mokopuna.

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