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.
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Tom McClurg (Director)
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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MANAGEMENT TEAM
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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.
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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.
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Te Ringa Te Awhe (Senior Advisor - People and Values)
Te Ringa comes from a rich ancestral background, tracing his descent from Te Āti Haunui a Pāpārangi, Ngā Rauru Kītahi, Ngāti Rangi, Ngā Ruahine, and Ngāti Ruanui. His career has seen him hold significant senior positions within central government, local government, health and iwi organisations.
Currently, Te Ringa plays a pivotal role at PNF, focusing on engaging with iwi limited partners, overseeing HR, IT, Office of the Chief Executive, managing community outreach efforts, and leading special projects.
Outside of work, Te Ringa's devotion lies with his whānau, particularly his mokopuna, whom he spends most of his spare time with. His commitment to both his professional responsibilities and his family underscores his strong sense of community and leadership
E rere kau mai te awa nui, mai i te kāhui maunga ki Tangaroa, Ko au te awa, ko te awa ko au.
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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.
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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.
Jonny Bamford (Harvest Manager)
Jonny brings a wealth of finfish experience to his role as Harvest Manger at PNF, joining the team in October 2023. Within this role, Jonny is responsible for maximising the volume and quality of PNF's Annual Catch Entitlement (ACE) by setting and managing the catch plans of all PNF fishers.
Armed with a commercial skipper’s ticket and a Bachelor of Commerce & Administration, Jonny has spent 7 years managing “frozen at sea” factory trawlers in Timaru as well as the operations for inshore fishing vessels in Auckland.
Outside of work, Jonny enjoys diving, hunting and surfing whilst living in Titahi Bay.
Jesse Johnson (Head of Finance)
Jesse joined PNF in April 2024 in the role of Head of Finance & Commercial Analysis. Within this role, Jesse oversees the finance statutory reporting as well as taking the financial lead on future commercial workstreams.
Jesse is a qualified Chartered Accountant and member of CAANZ, and holds a Bachelor of Commerce & Administration with Victoria University majoring in Finance & Accounting. Prior to joining PNF, Jesse held roles at Deloitte and most previously at NZ Rugby, as the Head of Commercial Finance. Through these roles, Jesse has been able to gain extensive experience in relation to maximisation of profit margins.