Julie Black

I was raised in Ruatoki, a small Tūhoe community on the outskirts of our Tūhoe homelands, Te Urewera, in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. My iwi affiliations are Ngāi Tūhoe, Te Whānau ā Apanui, Ngāti Whakaue, Te Aitanga ā Mahaki, Te Whānau ā Kai, Rongowhakaata me Ngāti Kahungūnu ki Wairoa.

For 35 years, I worked in the public service where I have been privileged to have worked closely with Māori, mana whenua, iwi, hapū, whānau and Māori communities across a range of kaupapa Māori including mahi toi (arts), Treaty of Waitangi claims, Treaty negotiations, conservation, Ngā Whenua Rahui, mātauranga Māori, care and management of taonga, intellectual and cultural property rights and Te Tiriti o Waitangi responsibilities.

My role is to establish meaningful relationships with iwi, hapū and Māori organisations by engaging them in genuine opportunities where they can contribute their lived experiences, narratives and input in the varied initiatives and mahi we undertake in Boffa Miskell.  Ko te tūmanako, ka taea e rātau te whakaputa i wā rātau kōrero, te tutuki i wā rātau ake moemoeā, wawata hoki e pā ana ki wā rātau whenua. The hope is that telling their stories will contribute to achieving their dreams and aspirations relating to their whenua.

I provide cultural and strategic advice to projects involving councils, government agencies and the private sector. As part of Te Hihiri team, I provide a te ao Māori perspective, Tiriti o Waitangi lens and cultural advice to staff at Boffa Miskell.

Qualifications

Masters of Mātauranga Māori, Te Whare Wānanga o Raukawa