KPMG New Zealand announces Kaapua Smith as Consulting Partner KPMG New Zealand announces Kaapua Smith as Consulting Partner KPMG New Zealand announces Kaapua Smith as Consulting Partner

KPMG New Zealand has announced the appointment of Kaapua Smith (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Apa, Ngāti Awa), who joins the firm as a Consulting Partner, effective today, 1 November 2021. She will be based at the firms' Wellington office in its Government Sector practice.

CEO Godfrey Boyce says the firm's newest partner demonstrates how fundamentally important the Government sector is to KPMG and the value the Firm places on authentic leadership to navigate into the future.

"I'm pleased to welcome Kaapua to the Firm and the KPMG whānau. She has a proven record of leading Māori and sustainability initiatives and is well respected in the public sector. Her appointment further strengthens our ambition to foster a partnership of expertise and diverse thinking, with a commitment to fuelling prosperity for all New Zealanders."

With a career spanning more than 17 years across government and corporate sectors, Kaapua has held influential roles such as Political Advisor and Press Secretary for the Minister of Māori Affairs and Press Secretary for the Minister for Whānau Ora, as well as positions at Te Puni Kokiri and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

As an advocate for the development of Kaupapa Māori, Kaapua believes that Māori knowledge, systems and Tikanga can contribute to the sustainability of our country's natural resources and the advancement of the communities which most need support.

Kaapua joins KPMG after recently completing a seven-year tenure as Head of Sustainability at one of New Zealand's largest energy companies.

"Our world is changing - we need to change with it and, as a proudly New Zealand owned firm, we want to put the right people in front of the issues that matter to all New Zealanders. Kaapua's skill set enables her to work in cross-cultural spaces, weaving people together, to design solutions that will contribute positively to the next generation," says Boyce.

KPMG’s National Industry Lead for Māori, Riria (Missy) Te Kanawa (Ngati Maniapoto, Tainui, Ngati Porou), is also looking forward to having Kaapua on board. “I’m looking forward to the strength she will bring to the team and the opportunity to work alongside someone with her drive, intellect and calibre with a shared commitment to the wellbeing of our taiao and people,” says Te Kanawa.