Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Manawa, Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Whakaue, Waikato

Dip (Te Reo), Dip (Maori Governance), LLB, LLM, MInstd

Te Rika is an experienced leader with a strong background in strategy, governance, and sustainability. Guided by a deep passion for empowering future generations, his career has been shaped by service to his people, his hāpori, and the wider public.

A proud alumnus of the University of Waikato, Te Rika holds advanced Diplomas in Te Reo and Māori Governance, a Bachelor of Laws (Double Major in Law and Māori Studies) and a Master of Laws specialising in Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Law.

Prior to entering into a career as both Te Puna Ariki’s CE and as a professional trustee/governor, Te Rika worked as a Senior Regional Advisor at Te Puni Kōkiri (Ministry for Māori Development), leading major projects that strengthened community and economic development across the Waikato-Waiariki regions. Before that, he was Head of Programme Design and Delivery at Tuaropaki, where he led transformative intergenerational initiatives for the $1.2 billion Māori trust.

Te Rika is deeply passionate about governance and community leadership, and the intergenerational impact these roles have on our uri whakaheke. He currently serves as an Elected District Councillor for Rotorua Lakes Council, a Council appointee to 14 trusts, committees, and boards, Deputy Chair of FENZ Bay of Plenty (LAC), Trustee for Toi Matarua Indigenous Research Centre, Regional Committee Member at the Institute of Directors, Global Advisory Council Member at the Lego Foundation and Tribal Delegate to the Manawarū Tribal Authority. He is also a strong advocate for grassroots leadership, volunteering his time as a trustee and strategic advisor across his marae, hapū, and Māori land trusts.

As Chief Executive of Te Puna Ariki, Te Rika leads with a strong sense of purpose. His focus is on empowering excellence and innovation, while ensuring the organisation remains grounded in kaupapa Māori values and connected to the aspirations of rangatahi, whānau, hapū, and iwi.

Areas of Expertise: Long-term Strategy, Organisational Leadership, Community Advocacy, Māori Governance and Land Administration, Project Management, Regional/District Development, Law and Policy, Programme Design and Delivery.