Kaapua Smith joins the firm effective from November 1.
KPMG New Zealand has announced the appointment of Kaapua Smith (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Apa, Ngāti Awa), who joins the firm as a consulting partner, effective today, November 1, 2021. She will be based at the firm's Wellington office in its government sector practice.
Chief executive Godfrey Boyce said: “I’m pleased to welcome Kaapua to the firm and the KPMG whānau. She has a proven record of leading Māori and sustainability initiatives and is well respected in the public sector. Her appointment further strengthens our ambition to foster a partnership of expertise and diverse thinking, with a commitment to fuelling prosperity for all New Zealanders.”
With a career spanning more than 17 years across government and corporate sectors, Smith has held influential roles such as political adviser and press secretary for the Minister of Māori Affairs and press secretary for the Minister for Whānau Ora, as well as positions at Te Puni Kokiri and Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade.
As an advocate for the development of kaupapa Māori, Smith believes Māori knowledge, systems, and tikanga can contribute to the sustainability of our country’s natural resources and the advancement of the communities that most need support.
Smith joins KPMG after recently completing a seven-year tenure as head of sustainability at one of New Zealand’s largest energy companies.
“Our world is changing – we need to change with it and, as a proudly New Zealand-owned firm, we want to put the right people in front of the issues that matter to all New Zealanders. Kaapua’s skill set enables her to work in cross-cultural spaces, weaving people together, to design solutions that will contribute positively to the next generation,” Boyce said.
KPMG national industry lead for Māori, Riria (Missy) Te Kanawa (Ngati Maniapoto, Tainui, Ngati Porou) said: “I’m looking forward to the strength [Kaapua] will bring to the team and the opportunity to work alongside someone of her calibre with a shared commitment to the wellbeing of our taiao and people.
This is supplied content and not commissioned or paid for by NBR.
