On Friday 27 September, Pūhoro had the privilege to officially welcome an inspirational leader in sport and education, Dame Farah Palmer (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Waiora, Ngāti Mahuta ki te Hauāuru), to the Pūhoro board as a trustee.

Widely respected for her significant contributions to Māori and wāhine leadership and development, Dame Farah brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to Māori success in all fields.

A former captain of the New Zealand Black Ferns, Dame Farah led the team to three World Cup victories and has since been a prominent advocate for gender equity and Māori representation in leadership roles. Her outstanding work earned her the title of Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (DNZM) in 2018.

“I am very, very passionate about Māori success, whether it’s Māori success on the sports field, Māori success at university, or Māori success in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Mātauranga). This position aligns strongly with my ‘why’, and it’s what motivated me to get involved.” said Dame Farah Palmer.

Currently serving as Pou Ākonga(Executive Director), Māori Student Success at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa - Massey University, Professor Dame Farah combines her passion for Māori advancement with her focus on leadership development. Her insights and experience will be invaluable as Pūhoro continues to expand its efforts to support rangatahi Māori in pursuing pathways in STEMM disciplines.

“It is truly a privilege to welcome a wahine of Dame Farah’s calibre into our Pūhoro whānau. I look forward to the ways in which, together, we can continue to guide our waka as it navigates forward. I am confident that through Farah’s experience and her commitment to Māori success, she will be able to impart her wisdom and knowledge to support the dynamic growth of our kaupapa,” said Kemp Reweti, Manahautū, CE.

Farah also brings a depth of governance experience, through serving on the board of New Zealand Rugby and Sport New Zealand – Ihi Aotearoa, and having also been a part of the foundational board for Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga, Aotearoa’s Māori Centre of Research Excellence (CoRE).

We are honoured to welcome Dame Farah Palmer to the Pūhoro whānau and look forward to the impact she will have on our journey towards empowering the next generation of Māori STEMM leaders. Pūhoro ki te hoe!

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