Sir Mark Wiremu Solomon (born ) is a New Zealand MÃÂori leader from the NgÃÂi Tahu and NgÃÂti Kurë (Kaikà Âura) iwi. He served as kaiwhakahaere (chairperson) of Te Rà «nanga o NgÃÂi Tahu, the tribal council of NgÃÂi Tahu, for approximately 18 years, from 1998 until December 2016. His departure as tribal chair followed his decision in April 2016 not to seek re-election as the tribal representative for Kaikà Âura. Solomon continues to act in various directorship roles including as chair of the Canterbury District Health Board.
Solomon was born in Christchurch, New Zealand. His mother was of English and Danish descent, and his father was MÃÂori, affiliated to the NgÃÂi Tahu and NgÃÂti Kurë iwi.
Solomon has been married to Maria since about 1974 and has four grown-up children. He is an uncle of New Zealand cricketer Shane Bond.
For over 20 years, Solomon was a foundry metal worker.
In 1995, he was elected to Te Rà «nanga o NgÃÂi Tahu as the local representative for Te Rà «nanga o Kaikà Âura, a position which he held till February 2016. Three years later, he was elected chairman of Te Rà «nanga o NgÃÂi Tahu. The same year, NgÃÂi Tahu settled its Treaty of Waitangi claim with the Crown for $170 million. By the end of 2012, under Solomon's chairmanship, the iwi's commercial assets had appreciated to an estimated $809 million.
Solomon's other roles have included being a board member of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa from 2001 to 2007, as well as directorships of a number of companies.
In November 2012, Solomon was named as the 'Visionary Leader of 2012' in the Deloitte and New Zealand Management magazine national business awards.
In the 2013 New Year Honours, Solomon was appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to MÃÂori and business.