Mark Solomon (Māori leader)


Sir Mark Wiremu Solomon is a New Zealand Māori leader from the Ngāi Tahu and Ngāti Kurī iwi. He served as kaiwhakahaere of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, the tribal council of Ngāi Tahu, for approximately 18 years, from 1998 until December 2016. His departure as tribal chair followed his decision in April 2016 not to seek re-election as the tribal representative for Kaikoura. Solomon continues to act in various directorship roles including as chair of the Canterbury District Health Board.

Personal life

Solomon was born in Christchurch, New Zealand. His mother was of English and Danish descent, and his father was Māori, affiliated to the Ngāi Tahu and Ngāti Kurī iwi.
Solomon has been married to Maria since about 1974 and has four grown-up children. He is an uncle of New Zealand cricketer Shane Bond.

Career

For over 20 years, Solomon was a foundry metal worker.
In 1995, he was elected to Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu as the local representative for Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura, a position which he held till February 2016. Three years later, he was elected chairman of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. The same year, Ngāi Tahu settled its Treaty of Waitangi claim with the Crown for $170 million. By the end of 2012, under Solomon's chairmanship, the iwi's commercial assets had appreciated to an estimated $809 million.
Solomon's other roles have included being a board member of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa from 2001 to 2007, as well as directorships of a number of companies.

Honours

In November 2012, Solomon was named as the 'Visionary Leader of 2012' in the Deloitte and New Zealand Management magazine national business awards.
In the 2013 New Year Honours, Solomon was appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to Māori and business.