John Smith is an experienced finance professional with a solid background in strategic business advisory roles and financial leadership. Currently serving as a Strategic Business Adviser and Independent Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee at Wakatū Incorporation since November 2022, John previously held the position of Chief Financial Officer at the same organization from March 2015 to October 2022. Earlier roles include CFO at Solar City New Zealand Limited from August 2013 to February 2015, Chief Financial Officer at Brightwater Group from February 2010 to June 2013, and Group Controller at Sealord Group Ltd from 1991 to 2009. John holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Accountancy from the University of Canterbury and is a Chartered Accountant, having completed education at NZICA, complemented by secondary education at Waimea College.
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Wakatū Incorporation
Wakatū Group has its corporate offices based in Whakatū (Nelson), Aotearoa (New Zealand). With offices across Aotearoa and the world, Wakatū owns property and food and beverages businesses through its wholly-owned entities, Whenua, Kono NZ LP and AuOra. Manaaki is our charitable arm, which leads programmes focused on building the capability of our families and employees, which includes wānanga, cultural and educational development. Wakatū Group is owned by the Māori customary owners of the Nelson region. In centuries past, we settled in Nelson in a series of epic migrations. Etched in our collective memory, they are central to our identity. We are the People of the Heke – the People of the Migrations. In 1977, the Māori descendants of the hekenga, now the owners of the Nelson-Motueka-Golden Bay tenths reserves and occupation reserves, formed Wakatū to manage their land. Since 1977, we have strategically and purposefully designed Wakatū, to support the families of Wakatū, as well as our wider region. Our economic base has diversified into our property businesses and the export products we create from our land and water. With a strong heritage as gardeners and fishers, Wakatū has created brands that celebrate our culture and front our offerings of quality food and beverages. Although our products are available throughout world, we remain a family business and organisation.
