Donna Flavell, (Waikato, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Ruapani) Delegate of HM Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po, CEO, Waikato-Tainui
Donna Flavell is the Chief Executive Officer of Waikato-Tainui, where she leads the iwi through a dynamic and complex operating environment, advancing the aspirations of more than 96,000 registered tribal members across the rohe. Her role spans strategic leadership across economic development, environmental stewardship, cultural revitalisation, and intergenerational wellbeing.
Waikato-Tainui works in close partnership with government, iwi, and the private sector, alongside its commercial arm, Tainui Group Holdings, to grow and protect the tribal asset base. Central to this approach is a strong commitment to social investment, ensuring that economic success is deliberately reinvested to uplift whaanau, strengthen communities, and enhance long-term wellbeing outcomes. Through this integrated model, Donna ensures that commercial performance is aligned with kaupapa Maaori values and delivers enduring intergenerational benefits.
Over several decades, Donna has contributed significantly to the transformation of Waikato-Tainui from a modest post-settlement entity into one of the largest and most influential Iwi Maaori organisations by asset value, and a major force within Aotearoa New Zealand’s economic and social landscape. Her leadership continues to centre on building a resilient, future-focused iwi grounded in identity, prosperity, and mana motuhake.