Ward Kamo describes his career as “the career your elders warned you against”. Leaving University with a BA and PG Dip in Natural Resources, Ward's career path has been varied, at times eye raising, and ultimately rewarding.
Current work
Ward is currently the National Director of Tu Whenua - Bayleys (Real Estate) Maori business division.
Speaking and MC experience: Ward is particularly passionate about the role that vision and values play in the corporate environment. He has delivered powerful speeches that challenge executives to 'take your vision statements off the wall, blow the dust off your corporate values and make them lived inside your organisation'. Ward brings a unique mix of commercial acumen and public sector knowledge coupled with his broadcasting experience. He is adept at tailoring his approach to his audience and to the requirements of the event. Whether it’s a serious business focus or a more light hearted celebration event, Ward has the skill to successfully engage the audience.
Background
Ward’s first 'real job' was as a diplomat in New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He moved across to the New Zealand Immigration Service as an internal business consultant where he engaged in one of the largest change programmes in the public sector at the time. It required world-wide travel where he also found the time to get married (on the road) and have children.
Moving to Samoa he worked with his wife to build a manufacturing and retail fashion business that is now New Zealand and Pacific wide (MENA International). This also began his career in broadcasting where he wrote, produced, and at times voiced television and radio adverts. On return to New Zealand in 2005 he moved into management consulting and general management across a broad spectrum of sectors including Forestry, Public, Insurance, Tertiary, Iwi, and electricity.
Television: His wide ranging skill base was what drew Maori Television's flag ship show to bring him on as a panellist in 2012. He quickly became a regular guest on the show. Within a year he was asked to front his own current affair show Focus in 2014. This lead to an approach to front Native Affairs as their presenter in 2015.
Ward is an adept public speaker, a warm and humorous MC, and challenging interviewer.
Ward was engaged by Ngati Mutunga iwi for the role of master of ceremonies during Taranaki TO Mai, a biannual sporting and cultural festival involving all eight iwi of Taranaki. This even ... keep reading Chief Executive, Ngati Mutunga
With Ward's innate style he made everyone feel connected and present last night. I have received so many comments praising his contribution to the evening. Ward's inherent intrinsic values complemented the evening and made for a very successful night. Funds raised are currently sitting at approximately $220,000 and rising.
Ward always does such an excellent job for us. He speaks beautifully and has such a lovely voice. He is thorough and meticulous with his delivery and a lovely warm person to boot. Couldn't be happier.
