E te taniwha hikuroa, e Erica, e mihi kau ana nā mātou te whānau o Whakauae Research Services i tāu nā noho mai, tautoko mai i a mātou i ēnei tau kua hori. Ko koe tēnā kua whakamanahia ngā tikanga o tō tātou nei kaupapa, ā, kua whakatinanahia te ngākau tapatahi me te aurere. Nā konā, kua whakapara koe i te ara ki tua, ki ngā mahi i mua i a tātou, arā hauora tangata, hauora whenua. Heoi anō, e Erica, tēnei ka mihi ake rā ki a koe.
The Board of Directors of Whakauae Research Services recently farewell outgoing board member Dr Erica Williams (Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Pikiao, Te Whānau ā Apanui) who completed her tenure as an Independent Director last month.
Dr Williams was appointed to the Board of Directors in May 2019 and has served Whakauae with integrity and professionalism over the past six years. Her expertise in the field of research, particularly within kaupapa Māori environmental science, has significantly contributed to shaping the strategic direction of Whakauae. Drawing on her role as Pou Whakarae - Te Hiringa Taiao and then more recently as Principal Scientist with the National Centre of Māori Environmental Research (Te Kūwaha) the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), Dr Erica Williams brought a depth of understanding that has supported the organisation’s transition into the taiao space where we have broadening our research focus beyond Māori health and development to also include the health and wellbeing of the natural environment.
Her leadership has informed our organisation’s ability to align emerging research with long-term iwi aspirations, particularly with environmental stewardship, climate resilience, and the revitalisation of Māori relationships with whenua, awa and ngahere. She supported and encouraged strategic thinking that considered the interconnectedness of people, the environment and water, which embeds values such as kaitiakitanga, mana motuhake and intergenerational responsibility into the planning and development of research programmes that serve both Ngāti Hauiti and the wider Māori research sector.
In speaking of the contribution Erica made over the six years she was on our Board, Research Director, Dr Amohia Boulton observed that Dr Williams had made a significant contribution to the governance of Whakauae. “Her calm presence, combined with her depth of experience, and considered thinking brought steadiness through some time of real change in our organisation. She consistently provided advice and support to me in my role as Research Director and as a Board member assisted us to navigate complex challenges while always remaining focused on Whakauae values and strategic direction. Her ability to think critically, ask the right questions, and uphold integrity in decision-making processes has been deeply valued. Erica has always been, and will always be, one of our greatest cheer leaders.”
The Board expresses its sincere appreciation for Dr Williams’ service and contribution, acknowledging the positive and lasting impact she has had on Whakauae’s journey. Dr Williams attended her final Board meeting on 30 May 2025.
E te taniwha hikuroa, e Erica, e mihi kau ana nā mātou te whānau o Whakauae Research Services i tāu nā noho mai, tautoko mai i a mātou i ēnei tau kua hori. Ko koe tēnā kua whakamanahia ngā tikanga o tō tātou nei kaupapa, ā, kua whakatinanahia te ngākau tapatahi me te aurere. Nā konā, kua whakapara koe i te ara ki tua, ki ngā mahi i mua i a tātou, arā hauora tangata, hauora whenua. Heoi anō, e Erica, tēnei ka mihi ake rā ki a koe.
The Board of Directors of Whakauae Research Services recently farewell outgoing board member Dr Erica Williams (Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Pikiao, Te Whānau ā Apanui) who completed her tenure as an Independent Director last month.
Dr Williams was appointed to the Board of Directors in May 2019 and has served Whakauae with integrity and professionalism over the past six years. Her expertise in the field of research, particularly within kaupapa Māori environmental science, has significantly contributed to shaping the strategic direction of Whakauae. Drawing on her role as Pou Whakarae - Te Hiringa Taiao and then more recently as Principal Scientist with the National Centre of Māori Environmental Research (Te Kūwaha) the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), Dr Erica Williams brought a depth of understanding that has supported the organisation’s transition into the taiao space where we have broadening our research focus beyond Māori health and development to also include the health and wellbeing of the natural environment.
Her leadership has informed our organisation’s ability to align emerging research with long-term iwi aspirations, particularly with environmental stewardship, climate resilience, and the revitalisation of Māori relationships with whenua, awa and ngahere. She supported and encouraged strategic thinking that considered the interconnectedness of people, the environment and water, which embeds values such as kaitiakitanga, mana motuhake and intergenerational responsibility into the planning and development of research programmes that serve both Ngāti Hauiti and the wider Māori research sector.
In speaking of the contribution Erica made over the six years she was on our Board, Research Director, Dr Amohia Boulton observed that Dr Williams had made a significant contribution to the governance of Whakauae. “Her calm presence, combined with her depth of experience, and considered thinking brought steadiness through some time of real change in our organisation. She consistently provided advice and support to me in my role as Research Director and as a Board member assisted us to navigate complex challenges while always remaining focused on Whakauae values and strategic direction. Her ability to think critically, ask the right questions, and uphold integrity in decision-making processes has been deeply valued. Erica has always been, and will always be, one of our greatest cheer leaders.”
The Board expresses its sincere appreciation for Dr Williams’ service and contribution, acknowledging the positive and lasting impact she has had on Whakauae’s journey. Dr Williams attended her final Board meeting on 30 May 2025.
