He Tangata Warwick Tauwhare-George

Dec 21, 2016

Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Hikairo

Newly-appointed CEO of Parininihi ki Waitōtara Incorporation (PKW) Warwick Tauwhare-George is the son of Wi Riwai Tauwhare and Bernadine George. He spent his early years in Napier before moving to Hawera as a teenager. His love and talent for rugby saw him represent Taranaki from secondary school through the age grades to Taranaki Māori and the Taranaki B team.
In 2001 Warwick and then partner, now wife Cherie, moved to United Arab Emirates (UAE) where they lived and worked for 10 years before moving to Auckland in 2011 with their three daughters, Jana (9), Ariane (6), and Niamh (4).
Warwick was a recent associate director on the Ngāi Tahu Farming board as part of the Manawa Nui associate director initiative.


What constitutes a good day?
Having enough time before work to have breakfast with my wife Cherie and our three young wāhine: Jana 9, Ariane 6 and Niamh 4 who are full of life and a real handful. Getting to eat my favourite salad and smoothie at Tank for lunch and smashing out a 10 km run in under 55 minutes after work.

One thing you could not live without?
The nachos and sour cream my wife makes every Friday evening – awesome!

Who or what inspires you and why?
From a well-rounded life perspective, my kids and Michael Jordan inspire me. My kids because they are my barometer for ensuring I remain grounded, and realise that life is to be enjoyed with family and friends. Michael Jordan because he continually strived for improvement and realised that hard work and humility played a huge part in his success – just wish I could shoots hoops like him!

Highlight in the last year and why?

My pōwhiri at Muru Raupatu Marae in Taranaki.

What is your greatest extravagance?
The number of shoes I own. My wife is always winding me up about how many pairs I own.

Favourite way to chill out? Favourite place?

At home reading a story to the girls at bedtime. I usually end up falling asleep with them getting an extra 30 minutes playtime while Dad is snoozing.

Dance or wallflower?
Wallflower, although if pushed by my wife to participate, can cut loose if need be!

What food could you not live without?
Whitebait. Nothing comes close to a great whitebait fritter.

What meal do you cook?
I don’t cook, which probably makes me a shocking husband! When it’s my turn to cook on Saturdays guess what we have – fish and chips or Indian!

Greatest achievement?
Meeting my wife and convincing her to marry me. She is an awesome girl and puts up with me.

Do you have an aspiration for Ngāi Tahu to achieve by 2025?

To be the (or one of the) economic powerhouses of New Zealand business, and achieving this through adhering to our key value imperatives of: kaitiakitanga, whanaungatanga, tohungatanga, kaitiakitanga, tikanga, and rangatiratanga.