Glenn Hawkins, a Chartered Accountant and graduate of Waikato University’s Management School, established the company in August 2005, originally offering management consultancy services to a range of business clients.
After 12 months, the company outgrew Glenn’s home office. Glenn leased an office in downtown Rotorua in the 304 Building on the corner of Tutanekai and Pukuatua Streets.
Colleen Neville, a Chartered Accountant and former colleague, joined Glenn in the new office as the company’s first employee.
Glenn says, “we were in the 304 building for about 18 months before we outgrew the space. That’s when we settled on Level 5 of the Zens Centre on Arawa Street, better known among locals as the ‘IRD building’. We opened the new office in January 2008. We had four staff when we moved in.”
Over time more staff have joined the firm as client numbers grew. Now GHA has over thirty employees (including six Chartered Accountants) and operates out of the purpose built GHA Centre on Fenton Street. Originally, the company started out as a management consultancy practice. However, the growth in demand for accounting, investment and secretarial services means that these services now make up the major component of the company’s work.
Our vision is to be a highly successful Māori professional services firm that is sustainable based on quality people and relationships. Our mission is to help Māori enterprises and organisations succeed.
GHA’s services
Point of Difference
Our point of difference is our commitment to working with Māori organisations and Māori enterprises. We are a kaupapa Māori firm, which means we apply traditional Māori values and te reo Māori in the workplace and in our services. We have created an office that we hope is welcoming to Māori.
“Glenn’s approach has been like a breath of fresh air” – Pihopa Kingi
Our Core Values
Our values underpin everything we do and are our guiding principles:
- Te ringa Manaaki
We show respect, generosity and care towards our clients, colleagues and community. - Kia riro pūkenga
We acquire and pass on skills, expertise and knowledge to empower Māori organisations. - He whānau kotahi
We believe whānaungatanga is important – in our whare, colleagues, clients and visitors are treated as whānau. - Kia pono te korero
We are honest and keep our promises. - Kia tika te mahi
We act with integrity. - He ngākau māhaki
We remain humble, act with humility and respect other’s opinions. - He kaitiaki tātau
We exercise diligence, understanding and care in managing other’s assets,aspirations and our environment.
Working with Diverse Sectors
Our clients operate within a diverse range of industries, including:
- Tourism
- Fisheries
- Property
- Geothermal
- Agribusiness
- Forestry
- Health
- Social services
- Education and training
- Transport
- Legal services
- Culture and Heritage
- Tribal development
- Film, TV and Radio
- ICT