Straddling a sweet ride on the open road is not where one would expect to find mild mannered, animal loving businessman Eugene Berryman-Kamp.

By all means, Eugene’s an active man. He enjoys a variety of outdoor activities, including trout fishing, mountain biking, IronMaori, waka taua and waka ama.

But it’s motorcycling that really floats his boat.

“when I ride my wairua lifts”

“I enjoy endurance motorcycle touring, i.e. over 1,000km in 24 hours for the logistical, planning and physical challenge. Plus four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul, and when I ride my wairua lifts.”

Married to clinical psychologist, Tina, for almost three decades, Eugene shares his love of outdoor pursuits with their three children, Rawiri (19), Mikaere (18) and Maia (15).

“When they were younger we entered events as a whanau, like the Ekiden, and we did mountain biking. Now that I have teenagers they seem to have lost interest in that but we still try to do stuff.
“I was fishing on Lake Rotorua on a Sunday morning, and did the XTERRA short course triathlon two weekends ago. It’s fantastic being out on our lakes and in our ngahere. I like doing the activity but what’s important is that it’s enjoying our whenua.”

Eugene brings an impressive portfolio of governance experience to Te Tatau.

Not only is he the CEO of Te Arawa River Iwi Trust, he’s also a chartered member of the Institute of Directors, and a director/trustee on seven boards – including iwi, mainstream, commercial and not-for-profit organisations. His expertise lies in management, marketing, iwi environmental management and the health sector.

Eugene says his goal is to cement the foundation of the partnership so that the Te Arawa perspective is front-of-mind for council.

“Te Tatau is another step towards greater active participation in council. The end destination is more Te Arawa councillors elected.”