2022 is a special year for Tā Tipene, marking 25 years since he successfully led the negotiation of one of Aotearoa New Zealand′s first iwi settlements, Te Kerēme. Since then, he has continually worked to unite New Zealanders across the divides: bringing people together across government and business, academia and education, social and corporate, wealthy and poor, Māori and pakeha, North and South. In a year where the world has seen much divide, Tā Tipene continues to bring energy to the social and political fabric of Aotearoa.

Carving a path through history, Tā Tipene has been relentless in his pursuit for equity and justice. He is one of our most respected and admired kaumātua, orators and teachers. And after a lifetime of work, he has hugely strengthened Ngāi Tahu′s ownership of its own past, while helping to build a future-focused iwi. His profound belief in the principles of Te Tiriti, The Treaty of Waitangi, have lead him to focus a huge amount of his effort on the place of the Treaty for all peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand, not just Māori. His articulation of those ideas has resonated widely across our nation.