Our Team
Board of Directors
Mark Ngata (Chair)
Mark represents Moana New Zealand and is of Ngāti Porou descent. He has recently been appointed the General Manager of Inshore Fisheries at Moana New Zealand. He spent many years as the Chief Executive of Ngāti Porou Seafoods Group and is passionate about creating a sustainable seafood industry for future generations.
Mark is also Chairman at Joint Venture General Partner Ltd and a director at FMA2 Inshore Finfish Management Company Ltd, Tairawhiti Rock Lobster Industry Association Inc and ICP General Partner Ltd.
Tom represents Ngāti Mutunga and is of Ngāti Mutunga descent. He runs his own consulting company, Toroa Strategy Ltd, offering advice to companies operating in a range of sectors. Previously, he was the General Manager of Strategy and Planning for Aotearoa Fisheries Limited. He has an intimate knowledge of the quota management system, an in-depth understanding of the fishing industry and a reputation for providing sound strategic and economic advice.
Tom has held executive management positions in the Ministry of Fisheries and the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission and prior to this as a principal of the Corporate Finance Division at Ernst and Young, he provided financial advice to a range of primary production companies including those in the fishing industry.
Tom McClurg (Director)
Aisha Ross (Director)
Aisha (Ngāruahine, Ngāti Ruanui, Taranaki, Te Ātiawa and Te Whakatōhea) joined the Board in May 2023.
He is the Chief Executive Officer of Parininihi ki Waitōtara Incorporation and brings a wealth of experience from across the investment, technology and innovation, primary, and public sectors. Aisha has held several senior leadership roles, previously as a General Partner at Hillfarrance Venture Capital, an early-stage firm investing in high-growth technology. He currently holds a number of directorships and trusteeships.
Aisha, supported by his whānau, has a strong commitment to the PKW kaupapa and is proud to return home to Taranaki to support our people in the pursuit of growth and prosperity – He Tangata, He Whenua, He Oranga. He holds an MBA from Waikato University and Masters in Technological Futures from the Mind Lab New Zealand.
Dean Moana (Director)
Dean represents the Iwi Collective Partnership (ICP). He is also a director of the New Zealand Food & Beverage Group Ltd, Ngāti Porou Holding Company Ltd, and a trustee of Te Runanganui o Ngāti Porou and Whangaokena ki Onepoto Kaitiaki Takutai Trust. He was previously Managing Director and Chair of Prepack Ltd, CEO of Prepared Foods Ltd and General Manager of Pacific Marine Farms Ltd. He also served as a director on the board of Ngāti Porou Seafoods Group Ltd, as Chair of Prepared Foods JV Ltd and as a director of the Paua Industry Council.
Dean is a Chartered Accountant and has a Bachelor of Commerce & Administration.
Management Team
Grant Absalom
Chief Executive
Grant is the current Chief Executive of Port Nicholson Fisheries and has been involved in the seafood industry since 1993, having worked at both Ngai Tahu Seafoods and Moana Seafoods prior to joining PNF. During this time, he has covered all phases of the seafood value chain – from catching and processing, through to exporting, marketing and compliance.
Grant is a consummate all-round leader with a practical hands-on background and believes the best way to get results and improve efficiencies is to get on the ground and work alongside his staff.
Richard Coleman (Director)
Richard has spent most of his professional career in executive roles within Maori owned operational and investment sectors. He is currently a Partner at Koau Capital Partners and contracts to Port Nicholson Fisheries for strategy work.
Hiro Minami
Senior Sales Manager
Hiro started with PNF more than 20 years ago, and has been with the company ever since. In his years at Port Nicholson, Hiro has worked across many parts of the business although he is now best known for leading our Sales activities.
Since becoming an iwi-owned business in 2012, PNF's export volumes have expanded more than five-fold. Hiro has overseen and nurtured this growth by cultivating long-lasting relationships with clients that still continue to get better.
Working with customers offshore and trading in a very perishable product, Hiro works odd hours, but in his spare time likes to restore motorcycles.
Jeremy Little
General Manager
Jeremy joined PNF in 2020 in the newly formed Commercial Manager role. Within this role, Jeremy has overall accountability for the Health & Safety, Human Resources, Compliance & ACE, and Finance portfolios.
Jeremy comes to the fishing industry after long stints in corporate finance and the construction industry. Jeremy brings with him an aptitude for revenue maximisation, team management and enjoyment through culture.
Mike Underhill
Product & Marketing Manager
Mike joined PNF in 2020. His role is to identify market risks, develop solutions to mitigate them and drive revenue through strategy, alternative product offerings, alternative markets, process improvement and brand communication.
Before joining us he worked in major APAC export markets China, Hong Kong and Japan at research consultancies Kantar and Ipsos, specializing in market entry, brand development, media and analytics.
Mike is a father of three, a keen (but slow) trail runner and an aspiring speaker of te reo Māori.
Jeremy Phipps
National Factory Operations Manager
Jeremy leads PNF's export factories and five depots across the North Island and Chatham Islands. Before joining the company in 2021, bringing extensive experience in lobster management, seafood quality and operational processes from throughout Australasia.
Jeremy's knowledge spans innovation, technical quality, operational and people management. As a values-based leader, Jeremy walks the talk of whanaungatanga (relationships).
Outside of work, he is an avid foodie with a hunger for experience in the kitchen, as well as in the workplace.
Te Ringa Te Awhe
Senior Advisor - People and Values
Te Ringa is a descendant of Te Āti Haunui a Pāpārangi, Ngā Rauru Kītahi, Ngāti Rangi, Ngā Ruahine, and Ngāti Ruanui.
With a background in education he has had varying senior roles within central government, local government and iwi organisations. Te Ringa drives PNF's engagement with iwi limited partners, corporate communications, community outreach and special projects.
Te Ringa devotes most of his spare time to his whānau especially his mokopuna.
E rere kau mai te awa nui, mai i te kāhui maunga ki Tangaroa, Ko au te awa, ko te awa ko au.