Leah commenced work at the Trust in 1995 as an historian, working principally with iwi in Te Urewera and Te Tau Ihu o te Waka a Maui, and appeared as an expert witness in relation to Tribunal claims in these areas in the early 2000s. Leah has been a member of the Trust’s Executive Team since 2005 when she was appointed Chief Historian. In 2009 Leah was appointed Director Service Delivery and since this time has been responsible for the delivery of all Trust services to Clients. Leah is of English, Irish, Italian and Spanish descent.

Andrew started at the Trust in February 2009 as Chief Operating Officer. Before that he had spent five years in Korea as New Zealand’s Trade Commissioner where he headed up a team that helped facilitate Trade and Investment between NZ and Korea. Andrew has a wide breadth of experience in Economic and Business development having worked for a wide range of organisations including NZTE, the Māori Economic Development Commission, Treasury, TPK and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. Andrew has a BSocSci (Honours) in Economics and Geography and a Masters Degree in Business Studies. Andrew’s iwi affiliations are Muaupoko, Nga Puhi, Ngati Apa, Ngati Hauiti and Whakatohea.

Jason is a seasoned public relations practitioner having spent 11 years as a broadcast journalist and news producer. He was a founding member of the National Māori Journalists Association. Jason is an accredited member of Public Relations New Zealand and has been a regular panellist for the viva voce national examination process. As such he has spent the last 10 years working at senior levels in PR. Before starting at the Trust Jason spent four years Parliament first in the Office of the Prime Minister as a Press Secretary and then Executive Communications Advisor. During this period he also spent time in the Minister of Māori Affairs Office.