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Chief Executive Elizabeth Valentine has formally welcomed Mrs. Doris Kaua to the new role of National Manager, Cultural Awareness and Development.

“The appointment of Doris to the team demonstrates the important emphasis we are placing on the cultural role at ATTTO,” says Valentine. “Doris is a highly experienced and well-respected member of the New Zealand Maori community and we are delighted to have a person of her calibre on board.”

Doris’ tribal affiliations are Te Atihaunui a Paparangi and Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa. She joins ATTTO having spent the last 3 years as Director of Maori Development at Family Planning. Prior to that she has worked across a variety of public service organisations, in the private sector, the hotel and hospitality business industry and the community services sector. She comes to us with a BA in political science and public administration and a Masters in Public Policy degree and has a well-rounded understanding of academic, bureaucratic and business processes as well as a solid understanding and experience of working with Maori service providers/communities.

A key function of the Cultural Awareness and Development role is to develop and implement the initiatives of the ATTTO Cultural Strategy including the uptake and support of Maori Tourism-related education and training.

The role will also involve the review and promotion of the Pasifika Strategy and involves working with industry and communities to develop plans for further increasing participation and skill levels of Maori and Pacific peoples in the aviation, tourism, travel and museums sectors.

Mrs Kaua says she is excited by the opportunity to expand her skills and knowledge  in the industry training sector and to develop new relationships especially with the Pacific peoples.

“ My greatest passion is to empower, to motivate and to mobilise others by minimising the barriers and providing them with opportunities so that they can participate fully and unfold their own unique potential.”

“I am looking forward to getting on with the job which will mean getting to know ATTTO, my new role and where I can make the greatest and most effective impact.”
 
“ATTTO is committed to leading our cultural strategy forward and making sure we are well positioned to support the significant growth in Maori Tourism, the rising appreciation of culture and heritage and the important associated rise of pride in our future as Aotearoa, New Zealand,” says Valentine. “The appointment of this role means that we are well placed to respond to and embrace the opportunities ahead.”

National Manager, Cultural Awarness and Development 
Doris Kaua, and ATTTO Chief Executive Elizabeth Valentine.