E te whānau o Ngāti Mutunga
Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Mutunga wishes to inform our whānau that our Pouwhakahaere (Chief Executive), Mitchell Ritai, has resigned after four years of dedicated service to the iwi. Mitchell will remain with us over the next three months, through to February 2026, to help ensure a smooth and well managed transition as we begin the recruitment process for his successor.
Since joining the Rūnanga in 2021, Mitchell has guided our operational team through a period of significant growth and development. His leadership has strengthened our organisational capability, deepened whanaungatanga within the iwi, and helped embed Ngāti Mutungatanga at the centre of our mahi every day.
Mitchell championed kaupapa that strengthened our identity and visibility, including the unveiling of interpretive panels across the rohe to share kōrero tuku iho about our pā, whenua and awa, and supporting the establishment of our Ngāti Mutunga Puanga celebration. He also supported wānanga and hui that brought whānau together to reconnect with their whakapapa and contribute to shaping our collective future.
Mitchell also helped lead the refresh of the Ngāti Mutunga Strategy 2024-2029, ensuring that whānau aspirations guide our priorities for cultural revitalisation, whānau wellbeing, organisational capability and sustainable development. He contributed significantly to our taiao advocacy, supporting the protection of the mauri of our awa, whenua and taiao on matters of regional importance.
Our Chair, Jamie Tuuta, has acknowledged the breadth of Mitchell’s contribution:
“Mitchell has served our iwi with integrity, commitment and energy. His leadership strengthened our organisational foundations, elevated our stories and visibility, and supported the development of a strategy that positions Ngāti Mutunga strongly for the future. We thank him for his service and wish him every success in the next chapter of his journey.”
Mitchell has also expressed his gratitude to the iwi:
“It has been a privilege to serve Ngāti Mutunga. I am proud of what we have achieved together uplifting our identity, strengthening our taiao kaupapa, and creating practical steps that support the aspirations of our whānau. I am grateful to Jamie, the Kaitiaki, our kaimahi, partners and our whānau for their trust and support.”
We will keep whānau updated as the recruitment process for the Pouwhakahaere role progresses.
Nei rā te mihi aroha ki a Mitchell mō hāna mahi hei hāpai ake i ngā kaupapa hei painga mō Ngāti Mutunga.
