Mark Solomon (Māori leader)

Sir Mark Wiremu Solomon KNZM (born c.1954) is a Māori tribal leader. He identifies with the Ngāi Tahu and Ngāti Kurī (Kaikōura) iwi. Since 1998 he has been the kaiwhakahaere (chairperson) of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, the tribal council of Ngāi Tahu.

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 [surname?] 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 continues to hold.[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 made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to Māori and business.[8]

References

  1. ↑ I am Ngāi Tahu. Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 Mark Solomon Biography. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
  3. 1 2 "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". New Zealand Herald. 14 November 2010. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
  6. 1 2 3 "New Year Honours: Sir Mark Solomon". 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. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
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