08/09/2026
New Noaia Board Member
The Noaia Board Trust is thrilled to announce the appointment of Esme Dawson Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāpuhi to our Board of Directors.
Esme brings over 30 years of exceptional experience working within financial, legal, and regulatory frameworks within both the private and public sectors, including time with Paerangi Limited, the Māori Boarding Schools. She has worked in a specialised leadership role within the Inland Revenue in the area of tax investigation for the past 24 years. Esme brings the following key capabilities to the board.
Governance & Financial Oversight - Extensive experience bridging operational delivery and governance, ensuring processes and decisions strictly align with statutory obligations and financial controls.
Risk Mitigation & Compliance - A proven track record in complex risk assessment, audit processes, and the lawful handling of public funds.
Financial Literacy - Strong analytical capability to interpret complex information, identify operational anomalies, and to translate strategic insights into clear guidance.
Cultural & Community Alignment - Deep commitment to embedding manaakitangaand whānau connection into leadership decisions.
In her spare time, Esme is a well known New Zealand home baker who achieved national prominence as the runner up on the third season of TV3’s reality TV show Chelsea New Zealand’s Hottest Home Baker.
Nau mai haere mai Esme.
