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RIDL has a board of 5 directors, supported by an investment manager. The Chair of the board is Tā Henry van der Heyden.
Tā Henry van der Heyden has been a highly influential figure in New Zealand's daiyr industryu, playing a key role in the creation of Fonterra. He became Chairman of Fonterra in 2002, a position he held for a decade until 2012. Following this, Tā Henry has chaired a number of major organisations, including Auckland International Airport Limited, Tainui Group Holdings Limited and Rabobank in Australia and New Zealand.
Today, he serves as Chair of Raukawa Iwi Developments Limited, Sun Energy Farms Limited, and Rimu SA / Manuka SA in Chile. In addition to these chairmanship roles, he is a Director of Foodstuffs North Island Limited, Foodstuffs New Zealand Limited, Pascaro Investments Limited, Better Eggs Limited, and a number of his own family businesses.
As he approaches the latter stages of his corporate governance career, Sir Henry’s focus is increasingly on the regions where his family live and where his family businesses operate, with a particular emphasis on community development and improving the lives of those within these communities. In recognition of his contributions, he was appointed a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2009.
Vanessa Eparaima is an experienced director and governance professional with a strong background in executive leadership, investment oversight, and complex stakeholder environments.
A former chief executive in the tourism sector, she brings extensive experience in commercial governance, business strategy, and performance accountability across both commercial and not-for-profit entities.
Vanessa currently serves as Chair of Tūaropaki Power Company, Co-Chair of CNI Iwi Land Management Ltd, and is a member of the Medicines New Zealand board. She has held senior governance roles across iwi, investment, and community organisations, bringing disciplined governance practice, strategic insight, and a clear focus on long-term value creation.
When she was the Chair of Raukawa Settlement Trust, she played a key role as Lead Negotiator for Raukawa in the successful conclusion of its Treaty of Waitangi settlement, demonstrating strong capability in negotiation, risk management, and working across complex Crown, iwi, and community interests. Her governance experience is complemented by a background in business training and assessment and leadership within Māori performing arts. She was also served as the inaugural Chair of Raukawa Iwi Development Limit.
Vanessa brings a principled, outcomes-focused approach to governance, with a strong commitment to best-practice decision-making, robust oversight, and sustainable commercial performance. She was appointed a member of the Waitangi Tribunal in December 2024.
Jon Stokes is Managing Director of Stokes Communications, a consultancy specialising in public relations, strategic communications, and organisational strategy.
Jon brings close to 20 years’ experience advising iwi and Māori organisations, tertiary education providers, government agencies, and commercial entities. His work spans strategy development, stakeholder engagement, reputational management, and complex issues communications.
He has a background in strategy, marketing, and communications, including a career as an award‑winning journalist, which underpins his ability to analyse issues quickly, communicate clearly, and operate effectively in high‑pressure environments.
Jon has particular expertise in risk assessment, crisis management, and governance‑related communications, with a strong focus on best‑practice governance, accountability, and decision‑making. He is known for his ability to distil complex issues and provide practical, commercially grounded advice.
Jon is appointed to the RIDL Board as a non‑trustee iwi member, and is from Whakamārama marae.
Debbie Davies is the Pikitū marae representative on the Raukawa Settlement Trust (RST). She has been an elected member of the Raukawa Charitable Trust Board (RCT) for 8 years, currently serving as Deputy Chair. She is also the Chair of the RST Audit and Risk Committee.
With a diverse background in farming, forestry, and the timber and energy sector, Debbie brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her roles for her Raukawa iwi. Her former roles across financial and operations management, have built a range of skills enabling guidance of the RST and RCT strategy and decision making.
Debbie continues to serve as a director and trustee on a range of residential development, and not-for-profit organisations. These organisations have included the Lake Taupō Coastguards, Taupō Hospital Society, Iwi Māori Council and the Lake Taupō Basketball Association.
Debbie affiliates to Raukawa, Ngāti Tuwharetoa, Ngāti Maniapoto and Ngāti Ranginui.