The Hawea Vercoe Leadership Programme was established in  as a tribute to the late Hawea Vercoe, former principal of Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Rotoiti, father of six, and at the time of his death, was in his first term as Okurei Māori constituency member for the Bay of Plenty Regional Council. Hawea had been described as one of Māoridom’s most promising leaders; a man who did so much for his students and his community; and a politician before his time, changing the way of thinking of people in parliament and around the country. He shared our goal of being part of Māori prospering and helping to build a great country with the work we do.