OUR TEAM
Ngā Mema Poari | Board of Directors
Dean Moana (Tumu Whakarae | Chair)
Dean represents the Iwi Collective Partnership (ICP) and brings extensive governance experience across Aotearoa’s seafood and food sectors. He is Chair of Moana New Zealand and a director of the New Zealand Food & Beverage Group Ltd and Ngāti Porou Holding Company Ltd, as well as a trustee of Te Runanganui o Ngāti Porou and the Whangaokena ki Onepoto Kaitiaki Takutai Trust.
His previous leadership roles include Managing Director and Chair of Prepack Ltd, CEO of Prepared Foods Ltd, and General Manager of Pacific Marine Farms Ltd, along with various directorships in Māori and industry organisations.
Dean is a Chartered Accountant and has a Bachelor of Commerce & Administration.
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Tom McClurg (Mema Poari | Director)
Tom represents Ngāti Mutunga and is of Ngāti Mutunga descent. He runs his own consulting company, Toroa Strategy Ltd, offering advice to companies operating in a range of sectors. Previously, he was the General Manager of Strategy and Planning for Aotearoa Fisheries Limited. He has an intimate knowledge of the quota management system, an in-depth understanding of the fishing industry and a reputation for providing sound strategic and economic advice.
Tom has held executive management positions in the Ministry of Fisheries and the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission and prior to this as a principal of the Corporate Finance Division at Ernst and Young, he provided financial advice to a range of primary production companies including those in the fishing industry.
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Aisha Ross (Mema Poari | Director)
Aisha (Ngāruahine, Ngāti Ruanui, Taranaki, Te Ātiawa and Te Whakatōhea) joined the Board in May 2023.
He is the Chief Executive Officer of Parininihi ki Waitōtara Incorporation and brings a wealth of experience from across the investment, technology and innovation, primary, and public sectors. Aisha has held several senior leadership roles, previously as a General Partner at Hillfarrance Venture Capital, an early-stage firm investing in high-growth technology. He currently holds a number of directorships and trusteeships.
Aisha, supported by his whānau, has a strong commitment to the PKW kaupapa and is proud to return home to Taranaki to support our people in the pursuit of growth and prosperity – He Tangata, He Whenua, He Oranga. He holds an MBA from Waikato University and Masters in Technological Futures from the Mind Lab New Zealand.
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Joseph Thomas (Mema Poari | Director)
Joseph represents Moana New Zealand where he is the General Manager – Shellfish and Meals. Prior to this, he served as Chief Executive of Ngāi Tahu Seafood for just over nine and a half years where he gained extensive knowledge and experience in the koura industry, including international markets.
Joseph originates from Wharekauri. This is where he first started out gaining hands on experience in the kaimoana industry. He is of Ngati Mutunga descent and is the Chair of the Ngati Mutunga O Wharekauri Asset Holding Company.
Following tertiary studies, Joseph commenced a career in senior executive management across various sectors while also holding governance roles within Iwi, infrastructure, services, philanthropy, and health.
Joseph is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Australia and New Zealand and holds a Bachelor of Management Studies with a double major in accounting and economics.
Grant Absalom (Mema Poari | Director)
Grant is the former Chief Executive | Pou Ārahi of Port Nicholson Fisheries and recently Tātai Koura. He brings extensive experience and leadership across business management, iwi engagement, and the kaimoana (seafood) sector.
With a proven track record in driving organisational performance and fostering enduring partnerships between Māori and industry, Grant is deeply committed to advancing sustainable and innovative approaches within Aotearoa New Zealand’s fisheries. His strategic insight, commercial acumen, and cultural understanding position him as a respected leader in the development and stewardship of Māori economic interests and the wider seafood industry.
Richard Coleman (Mema Poari | Director)
Richard has spent most of his professional career in executive roles within Maori owned operational and investment sectors. He is currently a Partner at Koau Capital Partners and contracts to Tātai Kōura for strategy work.
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Tira Whakahaere | Management Team
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Jeremy Little (Pou Arahi |Chief Executive Officer)
Jeremy joined Tātai Kōura in 2020 as the Commercial Manager, becoming General Manager in 2022. In November 2025 Jeremy was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer.
Jeremy has a wealth of experience in strategic leadership, commercial growth, and working alongside iwi and Māori enterprises. His career reflects a deep commitment to kaupapa Māori, sustainable practices, and fostering meaningful relationships, qualities that strongly align with the values and vision of Tātai Kōura.
Prior to joining Tātai Kōura Jeremy had long stints in corporate finance and the construction industry.
Jesse Johnson (Pou Whakahaere Tahua | Chief Financial Officer)
Jesse joined Tātai Kōura in April 2024 in the role of Head of Finance & Commercial Analysis. Within this role, Jesse oversees the financial statutory reporting as well as taking the financial lead on future commercial workstreams.
Jesse is a qualified Chartered Accountant and member of CAANZ, and holds a Bachelor of Commerce & Administration with Victoria University majoring in Finance & Accounting. Prior to joining Tātai Kōura, Jesse held roles at Deloitte and most previously at NZ Rugby, as the Head of Commercial Finance. Through these roles, Jesse has been able to gain extensive experience in relation to maximisation of profit margins.
Te Ringa Te Awhe (Kaiwhakahaere Tāngata me te Ahurea | People & Culture Manager)
Te Ringa is a proud uri of Te Āti Haunui a Pāpārangi, Ngā Rauru Kītahi, Ngāti Rangi, Ngā Ruahine, and Ngāti Ruanui.
Te Ringa joined Port Nicholson Fisheries in 2019, at Tātai Kōura, Te Ringa leads the organisation’s people-focused functions, including HR, wellbeing, cultural development, and iwi relations.
His approach is guided by whakapapa, shaped by lived experience, and anchored in a deep belief that strong relationships and cultural integrity are the foundation of meaningful impact. He is committed to creating environments where people feel valued, connected, and empowered to thrive.
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Jeremy Phipps (Kaiwhakahaere Mahi Wheketere ā Motu | National Factory Operations Manager)
Jeremy leads Tātai Kōura's export factories and five depots across the North Island and Chatham Islands and joined the company in 2021, bringing extensive experience in lobster management, seafood quality and operational processes from throughout Australasia.
Jeremy's knowledge spans innovation, technical quality, operational and people management. As a values-based leader, Jeremy walks the talk of whanaungatanga (relationships).
Outside of work, he is an avid foodie with a hunger for experience in the kitchen, as well as in the workplace.
Jonny Bamford (Kaiwhakahaere Hauhake | Harvest Manager)
Jonny brings a wealth of finfish experience to his role as Harvest Manger at Tātai Kōura, joining the team in October 2023. Within this role, Jonny is responsible for maximising the volume and quality of Tātai Kōura's Annual Catch Entitlement (ACE) by setting and managing the catch plans of all the company's fishers.
Armed with a commercial skipper’s ticket and a Bachelor of Commerce & Administration, Jonny has spent 7 years managing “frozen at sea” factory trawlers in Timaru as well as the operations for inshore fishing vessels in Auckland.
Outside of work, Jonny enjoys diving, hunting and surfing whilst living in Titahi Bay.
Zhou (Earl) Song (Kaiwhakahaere Hoko me te Mākete | Sales & Marketing Manager)
Originally from Nanjing, China, Zhou (Earl) Song moved to New Zealand in 2008 and holds a master's degree in international business from the University of Waikato.
Earl has lived in Hamilton, Nelson, and currently in Auckland, gaining a broad understanding of New Zealand’s regions and industries.
Earl joined Tātai Kōura in July 2025 as Sales and Marketing Manager, following 9 years leading bulk frozen fish export sales to Asia at Sealord Group Ltd and 4 years managing consumer-ready milk powder exports, including work with Spring Sheep Dairy.
Fluent in both English and Mandarin, Earl is passionate about connecting Māori-owned fine seafood with discerning global markets.