To CanWIN
T Houpapa

Traci Houpapa, MNZM JP

Chair, Federation of Māori Authorities

Traci is an award-winning company director and a recognized industry leader. She is a trusted advisor to Māori, Government, public and private sector entities on strategic and economic development, and is known for her strong and inclusive leadership and her clear focus on building the wealth and prosperity of Aotearoa New Zealand.  

Traci is a Chartered Fellow of the NZ Institute of Directors, and is recognized as a role model for other directors and business leaders. She has been named as one of the top ten most influential women in NZ agribusiness and the Listener’s top ten influencers in NZ.  

Traci won the Westpac Fairfax Media Women of Influence Board and Management award and has been named on Westpac’s NZ Women Powerbrokers list. Traci has been awarded the Massey University Distinguished Alumni Service Award for services to New Zealand agribusiness and Māori, and named amongst the BBCs 100 Most Influential Women in the World. Traci has an MBA from Massey University and is a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, a Justice of the Peace and a Marriage Celebrant. 

Traci serves as: 

  • FOMA ‘Federation of Māori Authorities’, Chairman
  • W3 Wool Unleashed Primary Growth Partnership, Chairman
  • National Advisory Council on the Employment of Women, Chairman
  • Hineuru Holdings Limited, Chairman
  • Te Arawa Group Holdings Limited, Chairman
  • Australia New Zealand Leaders Forum Indigenous Business Sector Group, NZ Co-Chairman
  • Chiefs Rugby Club Limited, Director
  • Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan NZ Forests Investment Limited, Director
  • New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, Director
  • Stuff Limited, Advisory Board member
  • NZ Public Service Commission, Māori Advisory Group
  • Predator Free 2050 Limited, Director
  • Massey University, Council member
  • National Science Challenge Science for Technology and Innovation, Board member
  • NZ Police, Risk and Audit Committee, member 

She holds the following honorary roles: 

  • Mystery Creek Fieldays, Honorary Vice President
  • Leadership New Zealand, Ambassador 

And is a member of:  

  • Global Women New Zealand
  • SuperDiversity Institute
  • Rural Women New Zealand
  • CSC Global Alumni Fellow
  • Māori Women’s Welfare League
  • NZ Institute of Directors