Senior Advisor Saskia Whiston Champions Māori Economic Development in Tāmaki Makaurau

Saskia Whiston (Te Arawa, Tūhourangi-Ngāti Wahiao) has recently stepped into a Senior Advisor role at Te Puni Kōkiri (TPK) in Tāmaki Makaurau, marking a significant progression in her career dedicated to Māori development. According to a profile published by the agency on Friday, 21 August 2026, Whiston joined TPK in January 2024, moving from a previous role at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT). Having grown up with strong Te Arawa connections through her father, Whiston brought a background in Law and Development Studies from Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington to her mahi. She noted that her upbringing in Rotorua allowed her to see the strength of Māori business and culture firsthand, which fueled her desire to pursue community-focused work that supports Māori success on a national and global scale. In her current capacity, Whiston’s work focuses on the Iwi and Māori Relations space. This includes engaging with Post-Settlement Governance Entities (PSGEs), monitoring settlement commitments, and maintaining a presence within the central Tāmaki takiwā. She describes the role as "on-the-ground mahi" that balances relationship building with internal advisory tasks like research and reporting. Whiston also supports Māori economic development, collaborating with pākihi Māori to foster innovation. Reflecting on her journey, Whiston highlighted the breadth of Te Puni Kōkiri’s work, which spans from housing repairs and te taiao initiatives to rangatahi employment programs. She stated that working with Māori business leaders who are taking their ideas to the world has been one of the most rewarding aspects of her career. Beyond her core duties, Whiston has continued her professional development through te reo Māori classes and public speaking training supported by the organisation, emphasizing a commitment to lifelong learning within te ao Māori.