Auckland, New Zealand – November 2024 – Jacqueline Howard has joined Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Kuia as Chief People Officer, bringing a wealth of experience in people management and strategic HR leadership. In her role, Howard will drive initiatives supporting Ngāti Kuia’s commitment to cultural heritage, people development, and organizational growth. She will oversee HR functions and guide strategic efforts to honor Ngāti Kuia’s principles of kotahitanga, whanaungatanga, whāngai, and manaakitanga.
Before her current role, Howard served as People & Capability Manager at William Buck in Auckland, where she led HR strategy, focusing on capability enhancement and workplace culture across the organization. During her tenure, she developed people initiatives that aligned with organizational goals, fostering a supportive environment for growth and collaboration.
Previously, she held the role of People and Culture Manager at Sacred Hill Wines Limited. In this position, she was responsible for aligning HR practices with business needs, implementing culture-driven strategies, and strengthening the organization’s approach to employee engagement and talent development.
Howard’s earlier experience includes her position as People & Performance Advisor at BDO in Auckland, where she provided HR support, driving performance initiatives and supporting employee well-being. She also contributed to business growth and operational alignment in her role as Human Resources Advisor at First Assistance, focusing on strategic HR alignment and employee relations.
In her prior experiences, Howard worked as a Human Resources Business Partner at IOOF in Sydney and as an Assistant Human Resources Manager at Gastronomy Australia Pty Ltd, where she honed her skills in HR practices, including recruitment, training, and workplace safety, enhancing HR processes to support both employee and organizational success.
About Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Kuia
Ngāti Kuia are the first people of Te Tauihu, tracing their heritage to the ancestors Māui, Kupe, and Matua Hautere. Established by the lineage of Matua Hautere, who was brought to this land by the taniwha Kaikaiāwaro, Ngāti Kuia’s mission is rooted in cultural preservation and the stewardship of Te Hoiere. Guided by whakapapa and principles of kotahitanga, whanaungatanga, whāngai, and manaakitanga, Ngāti Kuia strives to protect and enhance the land’s mana, fulfilling obligations to their tūpuna and future generations.
Read Also : Cultivating Safe Spaces: The Strategic Role of L&D in Workplace Well-being