"Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini."

My achievement is not that of the individual but the contributions of many.

Di Grennell embodies the essence of Māori leadership, grounded in integrity, relational excellence, and a deep commitment to whānau wellbeing. As a grandmother, mareikura, aunt, wife, mum, daughter, friend, and wahine Māori, she values and exemplifies the many roles that define her life. Her leadership is guided by tika, pono, and aroha, ensuring that even the most challenging decisions are made with care and respect for those involved.

Di is a recognised leader and advocate for whānau wellbeing, with decades of experience promoting, researching, and writing about tikanga approaches to violence prevention. Her work has been instrumental in challenging Western paradigms and creating space for Māori collective, strengths-based, tikanga-informed ways of addressing and restoring the impacts of violence.

Under her leadership, innovative iwi and community action strategies against whānau violence have gained national and international recognition. Her contributions were affirmed globally when work she led was awarded the Annual Human Rights Prize by the Leitner Centre, New York, for its groundbreaking approach to addressing domestic violence.

Di’s belief in the strength and capability of the whānau collective motivates her ongoing efforts to advance the aspirations of Māori communities. She is driven by a vision where the transformative potential of mokopuna is fully realised for future generations.

Di’s leadership extends into governance and education roles, where she continues to influence and inspire transformative change. She currently serves on several boards, including:

• Hora Te Pai Health Services
• Te Reo Irirangi o Taranaki Charitable Trust
• Survivor Experiences Service
• Ngāti Mutunga o Wharekauri Iwi Trust

In addition, she contributes to Māori education as a Pūkenga at Te Wānanga o Raukawa, specialising in Ahunga Tikanga – Māori Law and Philosophy.

Di was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in 2022 for her services to public service and Māori. This accolade reflects her unwavering dedication to advancing Māori aspirations and wellbeing. Other highlights include being a specialist lecturer with the Te Wero programme for rangatahi and men post-prison release, and a lead in the commissioning of Whānau Ora and the Māori Housing Network.

Di continues to push the boundaries for Māori solutions to Māori challenges, inspiring her whānau, hapū, and iwi to embrace their collective strength and pursue transformative change. Her vision is a brighter future where the hopes and dreams of the Māori nation are realised through the leadership and potential of generations to come.

Links:

Ms Dianne (Di) Grennell-Queen’s Birthday and Platinum Jubilee Honours 2022

Dianne Grennel remembers others during honour reflection

Transforming Whānau Violence – A Conceptual Framework. (2004)