Mereana Taungapeau

“Working alongside some of the hardest working, passionate and knowledgeable people is inspiring and keeps you coming back to work, day after day.”

Mereana Taungapeau joined LGNZ eager for a fresh challenge and a chance to make a real impact. She saw her role as an opportunity to share her expertise and knowledge from a Te Ao Māori perspective to support and amplify Māori voices in a meaningful way on kaupapa that is important.

Her extensive experience over 20+ years has included various organisations, including Auckland Council, Heritage NZ and Auckland Museum – all with one common key driver – a desire to enable Māori to participate and to break down the barriers to partnership. She's committed to empowering Iwi, hapū, and whānau to take the lead on issues that matter most to them, all while ensuring they have the resources they need for the long haul.

What drives Mereana most is the chance to work alongside passionate individuals dedicated to making a positive difference in their communities. As the inaugural Kaitohutohu Matua Māori at LGNZ, she's determined to lay a strong foundation for Māori representation and engagement within the organisation.

Outside of work, Mereana enjoys spending time with her three children, who share her love for reading and op-shopping.