MANAGEMENT TEAM

Leon has been involved with Te Awahōhonu Forest Trust for more than 13 years, bringing extensive experience in agribusiness and accounting. He holds a degree in Agribusiness and Accounting, is a Chartered Accountant, and is a Director of GKL, who have proudly supported the Trust for over 50 years.

His pepeha connects him to Ngāti Rangitihi of Matatā through his mother, and to his Scottish (Robertson) ancestry, Ngāti Kotarania, through his father.

As Chief Financial Officer, Leon ensures financial information is accurate and Trustees are well informed for decision making. He is passionate about building commercial success to create wider social and cultural benefits, and is a strong advocate for education and financial literacy. Leon would love to see more owners stepping into financial leadership roles.

Whakapono (faith) guides Leon’s mahi and personal life. His guiding principle is: “Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini” (My strength is not that of an individual but that of the collective.) He is married with three children and enjoys golf, kontiki fishing, surfing, and playing guitar.



Matt’s roots are in rural North Canterbury, where he grew up on beef, deer and dairy farms; both sides of his whānau have farmed in North Canterbury and Marlborough for generations. His connection to Hawke’s Bay began through his winemaker wife and her work in the region.

With 25 years’ experience in forest management across Hawke’s Bay, the southern North Island and Australia, Matt previously worked closely with Te Awahōhonu Forest Trust as Rayonier’s regional manager during the final harvest operations of the Toropapa Joint Venture (Crop 1).

As General Manager Forests, he oversees all aspects of the Trust’s forestry business—from land management (access, security, neighbours, hunting, consents, pest and weed control) and forest growing (planting, pruning, thinning, spraying, road maintenance) through to harvesting and marketing mature crops. Matt’s vision is for a sustainable enterprise that supports whānau and strengthens their connection to whenua—particularly by creating opportunities for whānau to work on their own land.

Outside work, he loves the outdoors of Hawke’s Bay and enjoys hunting, tramping, mountain biking and travelling to experience new places and cultures.

More information to come