Mark Solomon (Māori leader)

Sir Mark Wiremu Solomon KNZM (born c. 1954) is a New Zealand Māori leader from the Ngāi Tahu and Ngāti Kurī (Kaikōura) iwi. He served as kaiwhakahaere (chairperson) of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, the tribal council of Ngāi Tahu, for approximately 18 years, from 1998 until December 2016. His departure as tribal chair followed his decision in April 2016 not to seek re-election as the tribal representative for Kaikoura. Solomon continues to act in various directorship roles including as chair of the Canterbury District Health Board.

Sir Mark Solomon

KNZM
Solomon in 2013
Born
Mark Wiremu Solomon

1954 (age 66–67)
Christchurch, New Zealand
OccupationFoundry worker
Known forChair of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu (1998–2016)
Spouse(s)Maria Solomon
Children4
RelativesShane Bond (nephew)

Personal life

Solomon was born in Christchurch, New Zealand.[1] His mother was of English and Danish descent,[2] and his father was Māori, affiliated to the Ngāi Tahu and Ngāti Kurī iwi.[3]

Solomon has been married to Maria since about 1974 and has four grown-up children.[4] He is an uncle of New Zealand cricketer Shane Bond.[5]

Career

For over 20 years, Solomon was a foundry metal worker.[6]

In 1995, he was elected to Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu as the local representative for Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura, a position which he held till February 2016.[2][3] Three years later, he was elected chairman of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu.[6] The same year, Ngāi Tahu settled its Treaty of Waitangi claim with the Crown for $170 million. By the end of 2012, under Solomon's chairmanship, the iwi's commercial assets had appreciated to an estimated $809 million.[6]

Solomon's other roles have included being a board member of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa from 2001 to 2007, as well as directorships of a number of companies.[2]

Honours

In November 2012, Solomon was named as the 'Visionary Leader of 2012' in the Deloitte and New Zealand Management magazine national business awards.[7]

In the 2013 New Year Honours, Solomon was appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to Māori and business.[8]

References
  1. I am Ngāi Tahu Archived 7 February 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
  2. Mark Solomon Biography. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
  3. "Sir Mark knows what it is to be Ngai Tahu". Marlborough Express. 3 January 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
  4. "Mark Solomon honoured". The Press. 31 December 2012. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
  5. "Father-son Bond broken". The New Zealand Herald. 14 November 2010. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
  6. "New Year Honours: Sir Mark Solomon". The New Zealand Herald. 31 December 2012. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
  7. "Ngai Tahu boss wins leadership award". The Press. 30 November 2012. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
  8. "New Year honours list 2013". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 31 December 2012. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
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