Ashley Whare
Principal Adviser Māori Strategy, Governance and Risk @Department of Internal Affairs (NZ)
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WORK HISTORY
Principal Adviser Māori Strategy, Governance and Risk @Department of Internal Affairs (NZ)
Wellington, NZ
Provide strategic and operational leadership across Māori capability, strategy, governance, and risk, leading teams and kaupapa to lift Māori and Te Tiriti outcomes across the enterprise- Lead development and ongoing implementation of He Waka Eke Noa, ensuring Māori outcomes are embedded in planning, performance, governance, and risk frameworks- Design and deliver an enterprise-wide te reo Māori strategy, strengthening cultural capability and normalising te reo Māori across Te Tari- Lead Māori outcomes, measures, and reporting, supporting branches to baseline, implement, and demonstrate progress for Māori- Build and sustain trusted relationships with Māori specialist teams, kaimahi Māori, iwi, and public sector partners, providing cultural and strategic advice- Lead and support Māori-related mahi across governance processes, including OIA responses, accountability documents, and executive reporting- Support Te Tira Tiriti and Partnerships through monitoring, evaluation, and reporting on Māori–Crown relationships- Lead and support hui, wānanga, networks, and cohorts, including Te Aka Taiwhenua and the Tangata Whenua Network, to grow collective capability and impact.
EDUCATION
Te Wānanga Takiura o Ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori o Aotearoa
Certificate in Rumaki Reo
Te Wānanga o Aotearoa
Toi Paematua | Diploma in Māori Indigenous Art | Whakairo
Te Wānanga o Aotearoa
Kāwai Raupapa | Certificate in Whakairo | Māori Wood Carving
The University of Auckland
Bachelor of Arts - BA
The University of Auckland
Master of Arts - MA
Te Wānanga o Aotearoa
Postgraduate Degree
The University of Auckland
Bachelor of Arts (HONS)
ABOUT ASHLEY WHARE
With over 15 years’ experience across government, education, and community sectors, I specialise in embedding Te Tiriti o Waitangi, te ao Māori, and kaupapa Māori approaches into strategy, governance, performance, and service design. My work has focused on shifting systems - not just programmes - so that Māori aspirations, rights, and ways of being are reflected in how institutions operate every day.I currently work in Strategy, Governance and Risk at the Department of Internal Affairs, where I lead enterprise-wide Māori capability and strategy initiatives, including He Waka Eke Noa and the development of a te reo Māori strategy. I’ve also acted in senior leadership roles and led national wānanga to co-design future-focused programmes with kaimahi.Previously, I’ve led kaupapa Māori service development at the Ministry of Social Development, securing $8.3M for Māori-led sexual violence services; partnered with ACC to design Māori injury prevention frameworks; and led bilingual strategy and cultural advisory work in education.My approach is grounded in whanaungatanga, manaakitanga, and integrity - working alongside iwi, hapū, Māori providers, communities, and public servants to design systems that are equitable, culturally grounded, and future-focused.I’m passionate about building Māori–Crown partnerships that are real, not symbolic - and about creating public services where te reo Māori, tikanga Māori, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi are lived every day, not just referenced.
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