Teresa Hura-O'Connor - Board Trustee
Teresa is Māori (Ngāti Tūwharetoa) and an experienced editor and senior journalist who has worked in both New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Her work across community, regional and national newspapers highlights strong literacy, research and communication skills which enables her to advocate effectively and guide media strategy. Teresa’s governance is grounded in cultural competency, encouraging the practical implementation of Treaty of Waitangi principles in the workplace and at board level. Previous roles across community, sporting and non-profit organisations have created strong relationships within local communities, whānau, hapū and iwi. Teresa is a board member of the Independent Living Charitable Trust, which aims to make daily living easier for people with disabilities. She currently chairs its Appointments and Remuneration Committee.
For Teresa, kaumātua raising mokopuna reflects natural Māori and Pacific tikanga, a practice mirrored in her own whānau when her older sister lived with their grandparents after her birth. But she calls the stress accompanying this manaakitanga today as far from normal. This led her to join the GRG Trust and support its mission to provide practical help and advocacy for the growing number of grandparents raising grandchildren.