Dame Pania Tyson-Nathan DNZM

Toluma’anave Dame Pania Tyson-Nathan DNZM is a distinguished leader in Māori economic development, business, and tourism. For over three decades, she has dedicated her career to advancing Māori aspirations across community, business, and government sectors.
 
In recognition of her contributions, Dame Pania was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in 2018 and received the Māori Business Leaders Award from Auckland University.  She was honoured with the Te Tupu-ā-Nuku Award for Business and Innovation in 2020 and inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame in 2022. In the same year, she was bestowed the matai – the chief title – of Toluma’anave by the Satapuala village of Sāmoa.  Most recently, in 2023, she was made a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.  As she reflects, “none of this has been possible without our people and our whānau”. 

Raised in Wellington and Hawke’s Bay, Dame Pania’s understanding of business management was shaped early on by her parents’ entrepreneurial example. She continues to draw inspiration from the teachings of the marae, where the principles of humility, collaboration, and intergenerational responsibility are deeply ingrained.  Since becoming Chief Executive of NZ Māori Tourism in 2009, Dame Pania has redefined the industry’s approach to cultural tourism. She has championed the evolution of Māori tourism from product delivery to authentic, transformative experiences.
   
Dame Pania has also served on the He Kai Kei Aku Ringa - Māori Economic Development Board, the Ministerial Advisory Group on Trade, and currently contributes to the World Economic Forum’s Sustainable Tourism Council, the Advisory Panel Defence Policy Review, and Rongomaiwahine Iwi Trust. In 2021, she was named among the top 50 Global Tourism Innovators. 

Beyond her professional achievements, Dame Pania is married to Evan (Te Roroa), and together they have eight children.