Deputy Public Service Commissioner Heather Baggott today announced the appointment of Mr Dion Tuuta as Secretary for Māori Development and Chief Executive of the Ministry of Māori Development (Te Puni Kōkiri).
Te Puni Kōkiri is the Government’s principal policy advisor on Māori development and on the Crown’s relationships with iwi and Māori, working across the public sector to improve outcomes and support Māori aspirations.
Ms Baggott said Mr Tuuta has the leadership experience to support the delivery of the Government’s priorities and improve outcomes for Māori.
“Mr Tuuta is a trusted leader with extensive experience working across iwi, business and the public sector,” said Ms Baggott.
“He knows how to lead and collaborate across organisations and sectors to lift performance and deliver practical outcomes that make a difference for whānau, iwi and hapū.”
Mr Tuuta was, until 25 May, the interim Chief Executive of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Mutunga, the governing body of Ngāti Mutunga iwi. He has previously been Chief Executive of Te Kotahitanga o Te Ātiawa Trust and of Te Ohu Kaimoana, and has held a range of governance roles in Māori organisations and the primary sector. Mr Tuuta’s iwi affiliations are Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Tama, Te Ātiawa and Taranaki.
Ms Baggott said Mr Tuuta has the experience and judgement to lead Te Puni Kōkiri and support the public service to better respond to Māori.
“He has vast experience working at the intersection of Crown policy and Māori interests, and understands the importance of relationships and trust,” she said.
Mr Tuuta has been appointed for 5 years from 1 July 2026.
Biography
Mr Tuuta served (until 25 May) as interim Chief Executive of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Mutunga and is a director of Toi Foundation and Toi Foundation Holdings Limited.
He was Chief Executive of Te Kotahitanga o Te Ātiawa Trust from 2021 to 2025 and Chief Executive of Te Ohu Kaimoana from 2016 to 2020.
Earlier in his career he was Chief Executive of Parininihi ki Waitōtara Inc and has held governance roles, including Director of Seafood NZ and TSB Bank.
Mr Tuuta began his career in the public service. One of his roles included policy manager at Te Puni Kōkiri.
He holds a Master of Arts in History from Massey University.
