Whāngārā Farms Partnership announces the retirement of Chair, Ingrid Collins

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

22 November 2024

It is with the utmost gratitude that the Whāngārā Farms Partnership Board announces the retirement of Chair, Ingrid Collins, after 18 years.

Ingrid Nea Collins MNZM was recognised at her last Board meeting on Thursday night (21 November 2024), where the Board acknowledged Ingrid’s leadership, tenacity and influence which has reverberated throughout te ao Māori, creating successful pathways and outcomes for our people and inspiring generations of wāhine, rangatahi and peers of her own across multiple sectors in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Ingrid has held the position as Board Chair since its inception in 2006. As well as leading the organisation through a period of considerable challenges including Cyclone Gabrielle in 2022, Ingrid has delivered transformational changes in her various leadership positions throughout the years.

“Ingrid is a visionary, who has sought to work collaboratively and collectively with all to find a shared sense of mission.  She has earned the respect, confidence and loyalty of her hapu, iwi, wider community and networks throughout the decades.

For those of us closer to home, we have been privy to the sacrifices made, and are appreciative of the nurture and aroha that Ingrid has provided us all.

Under Ingrid’s leadership as Chair, Whāngārā Farms has seen many achievements and successes, including seeing the organisation towards being an outstanding agribusiness, delivering on-going sustainable returns. Outside of Whāngārā Farms, Ingrid has over 50 years experience in business and corporate governance and is also a founding and current member of the Federation of Māori Authorities. She has presented in Germany, Geneva and China on farming methods and Māori land ownership. Ingrid has given extensive service to health management leading the Tairāwhiti region on the District Health Board, serving as Chair from 2001 – 2010. Ingrid was also one of the founding owners of the Three Rivers Medical Limited, the largest medical centre in Turanganui-a-Kiwa, alongside Brian Gibson, Nicholas Duffy and Tom James.

Ingrid is a Trustee of Chelsea Private Hospital (Gisborne), and a Board member of the Matai Medical Research Institute (Gisborne). Her various  leadership roles over the years have seen her balanced approach to economic prosperity and environmental guardianship uplift our people throughout Tairāwhiti, Aotearoa New Zealand and further abroad.

“It has been my honour to serve Whāngārā Farms, Whāngārā, our people, our community, our taiao. Whakapapa, our family bloodlines and lineage will be the reason Whāngārā Farms endures centuries into the future.

Sustainability and succession are part of every decision made on the farm, and I am confident in the Board going forward that they will continue to protect the richness and mana of our land for future generations.”

Whāngārā Farms Partnership Board are honoured to celebrate this momentous occasion of Ingrid’s, who also celebrated 50 years on the Whāngārā B5 Board this year. The Whāngārā Farms Partnership Board looks forward to announcing Ingrid’s succession in due course.

End

For media enquiries, please contact: 

Toni Akana, Communications Specialist 
info@whāngārāfarms.co.nz | 021 022 04172