David Tikao (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Kahungunu) brings deep experience across intergenerational wealth management, sustainable finance and culturally aligned stewardship.
He holds roles with Ngāi Tahu Holdings Corporation, Auckland City Mission Housing Ltd, Toitū Tahua: Centre for Sustainable Finance and Mindful Money, among others. As a member of the Ministry for Cities, environment, Regions and Transport’s Waste Investment Panel, he has a strong understanding of investment for waste minimisation and resource efficiency.
He saw the Grants Committee as a chance to apply his experience in stewardship and long-term investment
thinking to a fund that can create lasting benefits for Aotearoa New Zealand. “What interested me most was the chance to help turn a waste challenge into future opportunities.”
He sees Puna Taurima, the Tyrewise Fund, contributing to a circular economy by creating new uses and markets for recycled tyre materials. “The real opportunity is generating environmental, economic and community benefits from a resource that was previously discarded.”
Because the fund is paid for by the tyre stewardship fee, he is clear about what fee payers should expect. The committee assesses applications against clear criteria and focuses on longer-term outcomes rather than short-term interests. “Fee payers should expect us to be careful stewards of their contributions, and to support projects that deliver real value.”
Kaitiakitanga shapes how he weighs a project: the capability, knowledge, environmental improvements or stronger communities it creates. Panels for other funding entities have taught him that successful projects need innovation and a realistic path to implementation. “Good ideas matter, but lasting impact comes from strong partnerships, clear outcomes and the ability to scale up.”
His advice to future applicants: be clear about the problem you are solving and the difference your project will make. “The strongest applications show how benefits will continue long after the funding has been spent.”
From where he stands, the conversation has shifted in the last twelve months from simply collecting tyres to
creating value from them, with growing opportunities ahead in infrastructure, manufacturing and community
applications.