Mike Hinton
Chief Executive Officer
Kurahaupō te waka
Te Hāpuku te maunga
Waikanae te awa
Whakarongotai te marae
Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai te iwi
Mike Hinton brings extensive leadership and community development experience to his role as CEO of He Herenga Kura. He served with the New Zealand Army for twenty years, where he held multiple instructor and leadership positions, contributed to training and development, and served overseas.
Following his military career and a period working across the Pacific Islands, Mike returned to Aotearoa and joined the Manukau Urban Māori Authority (MUMA) under the leadership of Dame Temuranga June Jackson. As Operations Manager, he played a pivotal role in establishing the Restorative Justice programme, which has continued in its current form since 1997.
Over 15 years with MUMA, Mike’s responsibilities were wide-ranging, from managing Nga Whare Waatea Marae and its community programmes to serving as a funeral director and as a director of George FM, one of MUMA’s two radio stations. He also held governance roles, including serving on the Restorative Justice Aotearoa executive as a Māori Caucus member and as Chair of the Restorative Practices Aotearoa Board.
In 2012, Mike was appointed General Manager of Restorative Practices Aotearoa, a position he held for 11 years. His leadership during this period further strengthened restorative justice and practice initiatives nationally.
Today, as CEO of He Herenga Kura, Mike continues his lifelong commitment to service, leadership, and the advancement of Māori communities through housing, social support, and holistic wellbeing initiatives.