Bayden Barber as Chair of Ngāti Kahungunu, one of Aotearoa’s largest iwi with 60,000 members and over 100 marae will explore the challenge of earning and maintaining the mandate of his people. He will also outline tikanga and governance principles critical to his leadership in achieving the iwi’s vision whilst responding to adversity such as Cyclone Gabrielle and the political challenges facing iwi Māori.

Bayden’s (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāi Tahu and Ngā Puhi) strengths lie in organisational governance and leadership. He currently holds a number of governance roles for local, regional and national organisations currently including Chair of Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated and Director at Beef + Lamb New Zealand. He has solid business acumen and an informed view on local and national political and social issues.

He is versed in tikanga and fluent in te reo Māori. In addition to formal governance roles, Bayden holds a number of voluntary community leadership positions in an effort to support community development.