Experience

Indigenous Design and Innovation Aotearoa

• New Zealand
• Research Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Co-Founder | Creative Director

  • Nov 2017 - Present

  IDIA was established in December 2017 to support indigenous growth and excellence in the areas of design, communications, technology and innovation. At the heart of IDIA is a kaupapa that focuses on designing futures through an indigenous lens. IDIA was established in December 2017 to support indigenous growth and excellence in the areas of design, communications, technology and innovation. At the heart of IDIA is a kaupapa that focuses on designing futures through an indigenous lens.



ĀPŌPŌ Indigenous CreativeTech Hub

• New Zealand
• Think Tanks

• Co-Founder

  • Jul 2019 - Present

  ĀPŌPŌ is Wellington City’s first indigenous CreativeTech programme and hub. It was developed out of a desire to grow Māori and indigenous peoples participation, success and leadership in the CreativeTech industry and provide mentors, community, space and tools to solve tomorrows problems. ĀPŌPŌ is Wellington City’s first indigenous CreativeTech programme and hub. It was developed out of a desire to grow Māori and indigenous peoples participation, success and leadership in the CreativeTech industry and provide mentors, community, space and tools to solve tomorrows problems.



Waahi Wairua

• Architecture and Planning
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Co-founder | Kaupapa Māori Design

  • Mar 2019 - Present



Auckland University of Technology

• New Zealand
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Lecturer - Communication Design

  • Feb 2016 - Jul 2018

  Head of the Pathway for Communication Design (formerly Graphic Design). This role involved developing and delivering content for communication design students on the 2nd and 3rd year. I also undertook industry and community engagement, pastoral care and research activities. Head of the Pathway for Communication Design (formerly Graphic Design). This role involved developing and delivering content for communication design students on the 2nd and 3rd year. I also undertook industry and community engagement, pastoral care and research activities.



Unitec | Te Pūkenga

• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Design Lecturer | Mātauranga Māori Advisor

  • Aug 2014 - Nov 2015

  Taught undergraduate BDVA (Bachelor of Design and Visual Arts) and BCE (Bachelor of Creative Enterprise) programs. At post-graduate also taught Māori design thinking and was am involved in the development of a Māori design pathway for the Masters of Creative Practice. I am also the primary supervisor for a number of Masters students. As mātauranga Māori advisor I also lead the department in incorporating mātauranga Māori into the teaching pedagogy. I am resposible for Māori recruitment and engagement and also play a critical role in pastoral care for Māori students.



Manaaki Limited

• Design

• Founder | Creative Direction, Māori Art and Design

  • 2007 - Jan 2015

  Founder and Creative Director of Manaaki Limited, a kaupapa Māori design studio. Since 2007 Manaaki has been working hard to help bring Māori visual culture back into the lives of all New Zealanders. Founder and Creative Director of Manaaki Limited, a kaupapa Māori design studio. Since 2007 Manaaki has been working hard to help bring Māori visual culture back into the lives of all New Zealanders.