Maria McDonald

Ko Maria McDonald tōku ingoa. Ko Ngāi Tahu te iwi, ko Ngāti Wheke te hapū, ko Rāpaki te marae. Ko Taratahi taku kāinga ināianei.

I have spent nearly 30 years working across the public sector and organisations, supporting people, programmes, and boards to strengthen culture and deliver better outcomes. My background is in cross-cultural psychology and criminology, and much of my mahi has focused on governance, leadership, and wellbeing.

I am passionate about creating systems and spaces that enable people and communities to flourish. What anchors me in this mahi is a belief that governance must be heart-led and values-driven. I work to help boards and organisations see issues from multiple perspectives, engage honestly and courageously, and make decisions that uplift people and communities. I love being a part of an organisation weaving mātauranga Māori, lived experience, and professional knowledge together for positive impact here and now and for our future generations.

I live in Carterton, Wairarapa, with my husband and our two teenage children on a lifestyle block. My whānau has many generations connected to the Wairarapa, and outside of mahi I enjoy family life, our animals, and motorsport.