Dean Whiting will move from his current position as deputy CEO kaihautū Māori.
Dean Whiting MNZM. Photo: HNZPT.
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga has appointed Dean Whiting MNZM (Te Whānau ā Apanui/ Farquharson) as its new chief executive/manahautū.
Whiting will move from his current position as deputy CEO kaihautū Māori. He has been the acting CEO since the completion of tenure of former CEO, Andrew Coleman, in 2025. As a long-serving staff member of Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, Whiting has led programmes supporting the protection, conservation, and celebration of Aotearoa New Zealand’s heritage places, taonga, and cultural landscapes.
He has worked for more than 30 years as both an independent conservator, Project Conservator at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, and with Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga on the conservation of Māori cultural heritage.
In 2023, Whiting was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to Māori Arts, recognising his significant contribution to Māori arts revitalisation and preservation. His work has included hands on leadership of the Māori Built Heritage Programme of Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, and wide-ranging support and advice to Māori communities across the motu.
Whiting has also served on the boards of the Arts Council of New Zealand, the International Council on Monuments and Sites, and worked as a project conservator for the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. He is currently chair of the Tohu Whenua heritage tourism programme and leading the governance oversight of seismic strengthening and adaptive reuse of Turnbull House in Wellington. His long-standing commitment to strengthening the heritage sector reflects a future‑focused approach to safeguarding both heritage places and our significant cultural landscapes.
Board chair Dame Jo Brosnahan said the organisation was well‑positioned for the future with Whiting at the helm. “Dean’s appointment marks an important next step for Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. His deep experience, proven leadership, and clear strategic focus give the board great confidence as we enter a new phase of strengthening partnerships, supporting our people, and delivering on our long‑term heritage responsibilities.”
Edward Ellison, deputy chair of the board and chair of the Māori Heritage Council, said: “The legacy of Te Māori – the landmark international exhibition – lives on in this moment. Dean was part of the original cohort of conservators whose training was made possible by Te Māori, and he carries that whakapapa of heritage revitalisation into this role. It is deeply fitting that Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga is now led by someone shaped by that moment.”
Dean Whiting MNZM completed a Bachelor of Applied Science in the Conservation of Cultural Materials (Canberra, Aus) in the late 1980s with a cohort of Māori students who continue to be regarded as New Zealand’s leading experts in the conservation of traditional Māori arts.
This is supplied content and not commissioned or paid for by NBR.
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