Waikato, New Zealand – 22 June 2026 – Mana Services Aotearoa is pleased to announce the appointment of Shayne Wihongi as Chief Operating Officer, effective 29 June 2026. Shayne will report directly to newly appointed CEO Cyril Gudgeon.
Bringing over 15 years of senior leadership experience in strategy, performance, governance, risk management, and compliance, Shayne joins Mana Services at a pivotal time as the organisation continues to scale its services for vulnerable rangatahi and whānau.
Shayne most recently served as Director of Strategy, Performance and Compliance at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, where he led a 13-member team responsible for organisational performance on a nine-figure tertiary investment plan, risk management, business continuity, policy frameworks, internal audit, and learner complaint resolution. He has a proven track record in complex stakeholder engagement with government agencies, including the Tertiary Education Commission, NZQA, and Ministry of Education.
Shayne is deeply committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and brings extensive governance experience across Māori and community organisations, including current roles as Deputy Chair of the Waikato Local Advisory Committee for Fire and Emergency New Zealand and Deputy Chair of Te Rūnanga o Kirikiriroa.
“We are thrilled to welcome Shayne to the Mana Services leadership team,” said Cyril Gudgeon, CEO. “His strategic expertise, operational rigour, and strong cultural alignment make him an outstanding fit for the COO role. He will play a key part in driving operational excellence, compliance, and efficiency as we refine and expand our impact for the young people and whānau we serve.”
Lachlan Sloan, Group CEO of MSA Group, added: “Shayne’s combination of commercial acumen, risk and compliance leadership, and genuine commitment to Māori development positions him perfectly to support Cyril and strengthen our operational foundations.”
About Mana Services Aotearoa Mana Services is a leading New Zealand social services organisation specialising in trauma-informed care, transitional housing, and support for high-risk youth, particularly Māori and Pacifica rangatahi.
About MSA Group MSA Group is the parent entity of Mana Services Aotearoa, with operations spanning youth and social services across New Zealand and Australia. The Group continues to expand its portfolio in social services, professional services, and new ventures while maintaining a strong commitment to ethical, culturally responsive, and high-impact operations.