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MP · #69
Hon Tama Potaka
Hamilton West
· New Zealand National Party
Pecuniary interests
14 items
Directorships
5 declared
Recent meetings
50 logged
Bg Background Methodology →
Tama Potaka is a National Party MP who has represented the Hamilton West electorate in the New Zealand Parliament [18] [9] . Sources differ on the precise period during which Potaka served as MP for Hamilton West — one variant places his…
AI-assembled biography sourced from Wikipedia, Hansard, Beehive and the Parliament register. Every claim is footnoted to a verbatim quote in one of the cited sources and tagged confirmed, unverified or disputed.
01 Positions
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Cabinet Minister — Conservation, Māori Crown Relations, Māori Development, Whānau Ora
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Associate Minister — Housing
03 Pecuniary interests (2025) Methodology →
as of 2026-05-27 02:23Beneficial interests in, and trusteeships of, trusts
S M Paul Whānau Family Trust (trustee)
— S M Paul Whānau Family Trust
(Trustee)
Sina James (née Chase) Whānau Trust (trustee and beneficiary)
— Sina James (née Chase) Whānau Trust
(Trustee)
Tama William Potaka and Ariana Maria Paul Whānau Family Trust (trustee and beneficiary)
— Tama William Potaka and Ariana Maria Paul Whānau Family Trust
(Trustee)
Tatau Tatau Trust (trustee and beneficiary)
— Tatau Tatau Trust
(Trustee)
Te Pihopatanga o Aotearoa Trust Board (trustee)
— Te Pihopatanga o Aotearoa Trust Board
(Trustee)
Debts owed by you
ASB Bank – mortgage
— ASB Bank
Gifts
Parliamentary Hunting Trip – New Zealand Game Animal Council
— New Zealand Game Animal Council
Managed investment schemes
Pioneer Capital Funds – Pioneer Capital
— Pioneer Capital
Real property
Family farm and houses (in Tatau Tatau Trust) – Rangitīkei
Family home – Hamilton
Rental property (in Tama and Ariana whānau trust) – Hamilton
Rental property (jointly owned) – Central-East Auckland
Retirement schemes
Fidelity 401(k)
— Fidelity
Simplicity KiwiSaver
— Simplicity KiwiSaver
04 Directorships Methodology →
as of 2026-05-27 02:23None recorded.
06 Trusteeships & beneficial trust interests
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activeTatau Me Ihu TrustTrustee
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activeTrustee
- active
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activeTe Pihopatanga O AotearoaTrustee
- active
08 Recent meetings (as minister) Methodology →
as of 2026-05-27 02:39
2026-03-31
Tue
9 entries
Ungulates
MEET: Ungulates
with: Multi-Minister
MEET
Budget 2026 – Welfare Reform
MEET: Budget 2026 – Welfare Reform
with: Multi-Minister, Advisor, Multi-Officials
MEDIA: Te Karere
MEET
MEDIA
Field days catch up
MEET: Field days catch up
with: Advisor, Te Tumu Paeroa, TPK Officials
MEET
MEDIA
2026-03-30
Mon
3 entries
MEET
Officials
MEET: Officials
with: Advisor, MSD Officials, MHUD Officials, MBIE Officials, KO Officials
MEET
2026-03-27
Fri
8 entries
MEDIA
MEDIA
VISIT: Hillsborough Heights - Metlifecare Retirement Village
with: Press-secretary
MEET
MEET
MEET
MEET
MEET
2026-03-26
Thu
4 entries
Japanese Emperor's Birthday Reception
ATTEND: Japanese Emperor's Birthday Reception
with: External, TPK Official
ATTEND: Ngarimu VC & 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarship Fund Board Annual Awards Ceremony
with: Multi-Minister, Multi-Officials
MEET: Ngarimu VC & 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarship Fund Board
with: Multi-Officials
MEDIA:
2026-03-25
Wed
4 entries
ATTEND: British High Commissioner HE Ms Iona Thomas OBE and Mr Matt Thoume Farewell
with: Multi-Minister, Diplomatic Corps, Multi-Officials
Predator Free 2050
ANNOUNCEMENT: Predator Free 2050
with: Press-secretary, DOC Officials
MEDIA
MEET
2026-03-24
Tue
3 entries
Launch - Older Persons Housing
ATTEND: Launch - Older Persons Housing
with: Multi-Minister, Multi-Officials
Report on Support for people in housing need
MEET: Report on Support for people in housing need
with: Hon Upston, Advisor, Multi-Officials
Officials
MEET: Officials
with: Advisor, TPK Officials
2026-03-23
Mon
2 entries
MEDIA
Wellington Update
MEET: Wellington Update
with: Uffindell MP, Advisor, MHUD Officials, MSD Officials
2026-03-20
Fri
6 entries
Te Heriheri Wetland
SPEECH: Commissioning of Te Heriheri Wetland
with: Advisor
MEET
Commissioning of Te Heriheri Wetland
SPEECH: Commissioning of Te Heriheri Wetland
with: Advisor
MEET
Ngā Tapuwae o Toi Walkway
VISIT: Ngā Tapuwae o Toi Walkway
with: Advisor
MEET
2026-03-19
Thu
1 entry
MEET
2026-03-18
Wed
1 entry
Tūrangawaewae Poukai
EVENT: Tūrangawaewae Poukai
2026-03-17
Tue
2 entries
Going for Growth Competitive Business Settings
MEET: Going for Growth Competitive Business Settings
with: Advisor, TPK Officials
MEDIA
2026-03-12
Thu
4 entries
MEET
Resolution Agreement | Stafford
MEET: Resolution Agreement | Stafford
with: Advisor, TPK Officials, DOC Officials
Ngāti Rēhia Housing Aspirations
MEET: Ngāti Rēhia Housing Aspirations
with: Advisor, DOC Officials
MEET
2026-03-11
Wed
3 entries
Going for Growth - Promoting Global Trade and Investment
MEET: Going for Growth - Promoting Global Trade and Investment
with: Multi-Minister, Advisor, TPK Officials
MEET
Ruapehu Judicial Review
MEET: Ruapehu Judicial Review
with: Crown Law, DOC Officials, Advisor
09 Recent Hansard speeches
- 2026-05-26
- 2026-05-21
- 2026-05-14
- 2026-05-12
- 2026-05-12
- 2026-05-12
10 Recent press releases
From Beehive.govt.nz. Most recent 10.
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2026-06-01Some of New Zealand’s most remarkable marine environments and species are set to benefit from significant new protections along the Otago coast, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says.
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2026-05-14Conservation Minister Tama Potaka has announced $1 million from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) to upgrade tracks and campgrounds around Tarawera and Ōkataina.
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2026-05-07Faster decisions, more jobs, and stronger protection for nature are at the centre of a landmark overhaul of New Zealand’s conservation system, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says.
12 In the news Methodology →
50 articlesCoverage from RNZ, Stuff, NZ Herald, ODT, 1News, Newsroom and The Spinoff that mentions this person. Click any source to expand. Article body markdown is captured separately and used for AI summarisation downstream.
RNZ 15
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2026-06-05Documents reveal that since 2021 Ngāti Kuri Trust Board has been awarded $4.6 million in funding, grants and service contracts.
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2026-06-05Tāmaki Makaurau conservation groups, iwi and council are welcoming funding to bolster the city's Predator-Free 2050 efforts.
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2026-05-28Māori broadcasting is getting $48 million over the next four years, emerging as one of the few Māori specific initatives to get funding since the coalition took power.
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2026-05-28Finance Minister Nicola Willis was confident the Budget delivers for Māori, saying "Māori want the same thing as every other New Zealander."
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2026-05-27With the Budget expected to confirm the end of the fees-free tertiary scheme, Māori students say the move risks turning young people away from higher education.
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2026-05-25The changes will apply from the beginning of next month.
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2026-05-21Advocate Dr Vincent Olsen-Reeder (Tauranga Moana, Te Arawa) believes the shift sends a damaging message about te reo Māori.
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2026-05-18The praise for a new plan for green credit trading was quickly forgotten as two more announcements landed in the headlines.
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2026-05-15It says the changes are as bad as the Treaty Principles Bill in its attempt to erase the Crown's duties.
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2026-05-14Tracks and campgrounds around Tarawera and Ōkataina are set to be upgraded through funds collected from tourists.
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2026-05-13There are concerns the Minister will have sole responsibility to decide what land is deemed high value.
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2026-05-13The Government says it's cutting conservation red (or rather green) tape. The Opposition say the Government is redefining what conservation even means.
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2026-05-13Everlee Wihongi case: Government officials confirm contact with US immigration over Kiwi's detentionThis is the first time the government has confirmed any direct contact with US officials since Everlee Wihongi's detention on 10 April.
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2026-05-12The government is pushing on with changes it says cut red tape and let it charge foreign tourists.
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2026-04-30Analysis - Fractures between the coalition parties have been slowly expanding .
The Spinoff 15
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2026-06-02A characterisation made without rejection? Not on Nicola Willis’s watch. If you’ve been watching Nicola Willis over the past week, you might have noticed the finance minister is fond of responding to a question or statement thus: “I reject…
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2026-05-30On the final day of New Zealand Music Month, MPs from across the political spectrum tell The Spinoff about their most beloved homegrown records. Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick: Successor by Anthonie Tonnon “It’s hard not to choose…
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2026-05-28While some investments were targeted at Māori, critics say the government has its priorities wrong and the budget will leave Māori communities continuing to struggle. For all the political theatre around Budget 2026, the Māori story is…
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2026-05-28Most people don’t have time to read everything on budget day, so Henry Oliver narrowed it down to a manageable ten for you to catch up on in today’s excerpt from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here…
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2026-05-28The post-budget debate had as many pop culture references as policy arguments. Joel MacManus was there for each of the seven speeches. Nicola Willis The finance minister is the star of budget day and gets the first speech in the…
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2026-05-18Changes to the overarching purpose of the Conservation Act – to enable greater economic development on public conservation land – were a late addition to the suite of reforms. But their impact could be profound, writes Melanie Nelson. As…
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2026-05-13The same week 13,500 people queued to book the Milford Track, parliament debated how to manage New Zealand’s most popular natural places – and who pays, writes Catherine McGregor in today’s excerpt from The Bulletin. To receive The…
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2026-05-13Books editor Claire Mabey live blogs this year’s award ceremony live from the Aotea Centre, Tāmaki Makaurau. Welcome to the biggest night in Aotearoa literature, where we find out who won some of the country’s biggest – and most cashed up…
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2026-05-13Lauded by the government as a modernisation that will cut red tape, the Conservation Amendment Bill has passed its first reading – to claims of ‘commercialisation over conservation’ from opponents. The government is pushing on with…
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2026-05-08Jack Tame is an excellent political interviewer. But his greatest talent is hassling Christopher Luxon for not appearing on his show. There’s a reason politicians are scared of Jack Tame. Q+A’s presenter has a habit of asking for an…
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2026-05-07Accusations of backroom demands have prompted political outrage. What’s going on? As hearings on Santana Minerals’ controversial application to build four massive open-pit mines near Bendigo in Central Otago draw to a close , focus has…
- 2026-04-25
- 2026-04-13
- 2026-04-09
- 2026-03-26
Otago Daily Times 7
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2026-06-01Edward Ellison. PHOTO: ODT FILES A new approach to marine reserve management looks to extend guardianship and protection of Otago’s unique off-shore environment.
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2026-05-31A range of southern people were included in this year's King's Birthday honours, which were unveiled this morning.
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2026-05-24Immigration Minister Erica Stanford. Photo: RNZ Lillian Hanly of RNZ The government is extending the minimum English language requirements under the Accredited Employer Work Visa.
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2026-05-15Rachel Brooking MP. PHOTO: ODT FILES This week the government progressed a range of legislation which will preserve New Zealand’s species and environments for generations to come.
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2026-05-14Two Otago cycle trails have received a boost from the government’s $7.1 million fund to upgrade Great Rides cycle trails around the country.
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2026-05-12Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says the bill will support economic growth. Photo: RNZ Russell Palmer of RNZ The government is pushing on with conservation reforms it says cuts red tape and enables fees for foreign tourists visiting New…
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2026-05-12As the first frosts of late autumn begin to bite, New Zealand’s great outdoors is looking superb.
Stuff 5
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2026-05-29The iwi leaders are particularity concerned about the high rate of Māori unemployment, which sits at 11.5%
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2026-05-24Migrants applying under the Government’s Active Investor Plus Growth category will soon be able to direct part of their required investment into charities and conservation projects.
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2026-05-19Stuff asked ministers how they use AI, and what they think it can do to cut costs and jobs at their departments.
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2026-05-14The instruction to move on wouldn’t be a criminal charge, but refusing to comply would lead to prosecution, the justice minister said.
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2026-05-07Through an amendment bill, announced today, the Government will provide clearer rules for granting concessions and introduce access fees for international visitors, among other changes.
NZ Herald 3
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2026-06-04Shakespear Regional Park in Auckland's north will benefit from the $10 million predator-free programme. Photo / Natalie Slade
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2026-05-15Ngāi Tahu kaiwhakahaere Justin Tipa and Conservation Minister Tama Potaka.
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2026-05-15Funding will address safety issues after a major rockfall in 2021 that closed the Eastern Ōkataina Walkway. Photo / DoC
1News 3
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2026-05-28The Māori development minister is hailing Budget 2026 as a "meaningful" boost to te reo Māori and Māori culture.
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2026-05-13The reading on Wednesday was followed by a debate in which 11 members of the House stated their initial positions on the bill.
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2026-05-12A long-running protest and occupation at the site was sparked by its sale to Fletchers in 2016.
Newsroom 2
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2026-05-28A top of the South Island Māori land agreement that preserves public access, and salved wounds spanning generations, comes with its own cost to taxpayers
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2026-05-15‘It is as bad as the Treaty Principles Bill in its attempt to erase the Crown’s duty to comply with the agreement made between Māori and the Crown in 1840,’ the Waitangi Tribunal says The post Waitangi Tribunal urges halt on Treaty clause…
12.5 Heard on radio
Verbatim segments from podcasts and radio where this MP was the speaker, attributed via the manually-reviewed voice-reference library and pre-seeked to the moment the segment starts.
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mike-hosking-breakfast Tama Potaka: Conservation Minister on the conservation law reform, plans to charge overseas visitors for access to certain sites 2026-05-07 · 33s
Well, here's an example. Some of the concessionaires, people who want to do things on their estate, that includes big businesses, often Māori, small, medium enterprises, taking eight to 10 years to get a decision made to go and take a guided walk or to run a hotel on various parks around the country. Now, that's far too long in my book, and some concessions actually shouldn't need a massive long decision. So, for example, if you're going to collect some water. out of a stream why are we taking weeks to make a decision to say you can go and do that Yeah. just go and do it
13 Commentary topics Methodology →
Topics where op-eds, blogs and press releases mentioned this MP — preview of the top 2 over the last 12 weeks. Each row deep-links to the discourse lens.
14 Press topics Methodology →
Topics where major news outlets reported on this MP — preview of the top 2. Each row deep-links to the press lens; compare with commentary to spot convergence vs. divergence.
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