Victor Manawatu is a passionate leader, advisor, educator, and researcher dedicated to the promotion and greater understanding of Māori identity, language, and culture.

Born and raised in Kaikōura, Victor has facilitated Māori understanding and engagement across New Zealand, building partnerships between iwi, community groups, Rūnanga and government in support of Māori promotion and achievement.

An accomplished speaker and teacher of Te Reo Māori, Victor has worked in senior educational and cultural advisory roles for a number of organisations including Te Rūnanga o Waihopai, the Ministry of Education, Kaikōura Civil Emergency, Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura, Te Mana Ākonga, and Ngāi Tahu.

Victor’s expertise encompasses a proven ability to research and analyse policies and procedures and the implications inherent within for all stakeholders; building mutually beneficial, high-performing partnerships and teams, in order to achieve goals and create strong relationships based on mutual trust; unrivalled understanding of the machinery of government and governance.