Ko Maungapohatu te Maunga
Ko Tauranga te Awa
Ko Mataatua te Waaka
Ko Tuhoe te Iwi
Ko Piripari me Matahi ōku Marae
Ko Tamakaimoana te Hapu
Ko Tatua-o-te-rangi te Wharekai
Ko Tamakaimoana te Whare Tipuna
Ko te Whiu Maraki te Tangata
Ko Grendon Roderick Christian Te Ariki Boynton ahau.
Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.
As founder and CEO of Virtual Kaiwhakahaere Limited, Grendon has over fifteen years international experience putting together major ventures involving bluechip companies expanding their brand coverage into new and emerging markets, increasing and sustaining EDBITA growth in dynamic and fast-track environments. Since 2000 he has advocated social enterprise and entrepreneurship drawing upon sound business techniques and private sector approaches to find solutions to social, cultural, or environmental issues and challenges.
Current ventures comprise:
- Māori housing & development superfund.
- Lifestyle villages comprising alternative purchasing schemes.
- Rent to own in-fill housing.
- Rangatahi leadership academy and centre of excellence.
- AOD rehabilitation residence.
- International indigenous online services platform and framework.
- Kaimahi development and support framework.
Grendon has proven achievements within social services, education & training, NGO's, not for profit, and ICT industries. His career started working for top tier international companies owned by General Electric Company (GEC), Exxon Mobil, Marconi Commerce Systems International and the BTR Nylex Group. In 1991 he started a consultancy company in collaboration with Gilbarco Australia Limited providing complex design, build, project management and consultation services to blue-chip companies across numerous industry sectors, establishing strong relationships with global manufacturing and distribution companies based in Europe, USA and Asia.
2003-2007 he developed and launched an Internet Service Provider company that made positive changes for consumers in how internet connection was sold in the NZ market. He was also part of HON Minister Parekura Horomia’s “Nga Kaiarataki” leadership team that piloted return to Maori Trade Training modern apprenticeships. It was during this time, he committed his efforts consulting into the social services, education & training, not for profit and ICT sectors through roles such as:
- Chairman at Virtual Kaiwhakahaere Limited
- Chairman at Greenwich Property Consultants Limited
- Chairman at Marae Online Limited
- Chairman at Waitao Village Enterprises
- Chairman at Te Mana Pono O Te Rangatira Leadership Foundation
- Chairman at Yddrasil Rakau O Te Ora Charitable Trust
- Chairman at K2ONE Charitable Trust
- Director at Cookee-G International Limited
- Director at The Wānanga Club Limited
- Director at Kiwi Online Limited
- Director at NZ Sunday School Union
- Director at Alpha Design Solutions & Consultants
- Executive Manager at Anamata Charitable Trust
- Residential Manager at Hohepa Homes Trust
- Head of School for NZ College of Natural Medicine
- Head of School for Skills Update Training Institute
- Head of Learning & Development at ATC Vision College
- Business Sector Advisor to the ETITO
- Member of the Māori Trade Training Programme Development Team for HON Minister for Māori Affairs Parekura Horomia
- Advisor to the NZ Youth Mentoring Network
Grendon has accumulated knowledge and experience in Māori, Pasifika and Mainstream social services, education & training, health & wellbeing, not for profit and ICT sectors. He has a number of board and committee postings focused on Youth & Family Services, Business Enterprise, Technology sector in Aotearoa and abroad. He has worked with victims, rescipients of homelessness, residential sustainable tenancies, mental health & physical diabilities, crimingenic behaviour and environments, alcohol & drug addiction, gangs, and suicide.
Grendon spent two years as a house parent / father, supporting high needs residents requiring 24/7 specialized care for ADHD, Autism, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Epilepsy, Brain Injury Trauma, and various other Mental and Physical Disabilities. Leading a team of kaimahi to ensure quality of life for every one of the whanau / service users within the Enabling Good Lives and More Independent Living support frameworks. Overseeing the administering of daily medication, managing violent episodes and incidents, accidents, emergencies, GP and specialist visits, NASC reporting and psychologist and psychiatrist consultations.
Grendon lives in Tauranga with his wife and eleven-year-old daughter who is homeschooled. His eldest daughter resides in London, she is an actor, dancer, performer, and owner of a popular dance and fitness studio and his son is studying engineering at the University of NSW.