Meet our Board
Elton Parata - Managing Director
(Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Manu, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Rahiri) from Mōerewa.
Elton has a vast array of expertise and knowledge that he has built up through his many years of experience in Asset Development and Management. This has included working for Local Government Organisations including Parks and Reserves, Strategic Property and Facilities, as well as private residential Property investment/development in Aotearoa and overseas. Elton has also worked with iwi level organisations extensively over many years in a wide range of environments which lead to his whanau creating Koru Asset Development Group. Elton has completed Post-Graduate study in Business Administration and Management at Waikato University. His unique body of knowledge combined with his passion to see Māori empowered and equipped to manage their own whenua and economic, social, cultural and environmental development make Elton a phenomenal Managing Director connecting the board with the vision for Koru and the reality of the business day to day.
Viv Parata - Advisory Director
Ngāti Kuri
Viv brings 21 years of knowledge and experience in the Banking Sector to her role as Advisory Director for Koru Asset Development Group. Her expertise is wide ranging having spent 11 of those years in retail environments that included customer service through to housing. Viv has also spent 10 years working in the Agribusiness banking space working with dairy, sheep and beef and horticulture farms and also specifically working together with Māori businesses and trusts. Viv's knowledge of how to advise, care for and develop the interests of her clients within these varied environments equips her well to guide us in our Koru journey. We are thrilled to have her on our board.
Amy Whetu - Advisory Director
Amy is a well developed business leader with many years of experience leading and working within a range of businesses within Aotearoa. Amy combines this knowledge with her passion for developing strategy, infrastructure and processes to grow outstanding businesses. Amy’s heart for people and contributing to businesses that make a difference with creativity and innovation set her apart as a businesswoman. Amy's insight combined with her knowledge and experience working in the environmental and indigenous policy space equips her well to help guide Koru Asset Development Group as it grows. Amy has a Masters of Law in Environmental and Indigenous Governance, alongside a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Social Science, with an 18 year career that includes experience working in legal practice, with iwi, private consultancy, business operations, management and governance.
James Whetu - Advisory Director
Waikato, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Raukawa
James brings extensive experience in resource management planning and town/community/rural development to the board of Koru Asset Development Group. James also has many years of experience in engagement of communities and stakeholders in both a consultancy and local government work environment. He has significant experience in implementation within collaborative and co-management processes in sustainable management. James is a creative and strategic business leader and his ability to critically analyse any situation and work towards finding innovative solutions that meet the interests of all parties, is one of his most valued skills. James has both a Masters and Post Graduate Diploma in Planning from Massey University and a Bachelors degree majoring in Resource and Environmental Planning from Waikato University. His specialist blend of knowledge and experience combined with his passion to uplift his fellow Māori in their development so that they can have more sustainable opportunities for the long term make him an awesome Advisor to have on the Koru Board as we grow.