TE AMOKURA CONSULTANTS - Key Persons
Andrea is a Senior Project and Programme Manager who has helped lead project teams to deliver change across government for 15+ years. As Programme Manager, Andrea helped lead a multi-disciplinary and multi-agency team to deliver New Zealand's environmental reporting obligations, including the production of the flagship report ‘Environment Aoteraroa 2019'. Andrea has a range of project management tools and methodologies to draw from but is primarily driven by delivering change through people. Andrea grew-up in Wainuiomata and completed her Bachelor of Commerce and Administration degree at Victoria University. She now lives on the Kapiti Coast with her Irish husband, daughter and dogs.
Taimania has worked across several complex public sector work programmes in the areas of Crown Māori Relations, Māori Development, Natural Resources and Education. Taimania has experience in designing and implementing systems to improve consideration and implementation of Treaty commitments in policy development and is well versed in the machinery of government. A critical thinker with a drive to deliver high quality outputs and outcomes, Taimania can provide leadership and support for specific projects or general capability for any team. Taimania has extensive experience working for iwi and community organisations, focusing mostly on social development. Taimania has an undergraduate degrees in Arts (Social Policy)(Hons) and Business Studies (Economics) and a Master of Arts (Social Policy)(Hons) from Massey University. Taimania was raised in Gisborne. Her whānau are from Rangitukia and Tikitiki on the right side of the Waiapu valley!
Arihia has a background in communications, content development, production management, editing and publishing which all reflects her creative commitment to te reo Māori. Arihia has worked with many clients to develop creative marketing ideas for Māori language revitalisation. She understands the importance of integrating all communication initiatives. Most recently, Arihia led a historical research Programme where she helped iwi and Māori to tell their Treaty Settlement stories. Arihia has written, edited and published in the Māori language everything from children's books to contributions to He Muka the prestige publication of the Māori Language Commission. She's also written copy and designed collateral for major campaigns promoting te reo Māori and language planning.
With over 10-years as a professional sportsperson, Nehe brings strategy, leadership and high-performance capability to Te Amokura. With a depth of experience in health and wellbeing, Nehe has a system level focus on delivering better outcomes for Maori. Hailing from Te Tairawhiti, and with whakapapa to Ngati Porou and Tapuika, Nehe debuted for the Ngati Porou East Coast rugby team in 2021, winning his only game for the season against Poverty Bay, and importantly, allowing him to claim a 100% winning streak for his tribal team! In 2015, Nehe was awarded the World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the year, having played a key role in the All Blacks winning the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
Carlos completed his BA, majoring in Māori studies and Māori resource management at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. Prior to joining Te Amokura, Carlos was a Business Analyst at Te Puni Kōkiri where he gained valuable experience in engaging with external agencies, monitoring and reporting of funds, and data and analytics, specifically in the Whānau Ora and Oranga Marae work programmes. At Te Amokura, Carlos has been involved with the Ministry of Education (writing tikanga advice), Ministry for the Environment (collating insights to inform a recommendations paper), Ministry of Social Development (engagement work) and Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (advice on Long term insights briefing). Carlos is passionate about working with young Māori with a focus on ensuring that our education system is better equipped to take care of our rangatahi.
Omiha is a proud alumna of kōhanga reo, kura kaupapa Māori and rumaki reo. She holds a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Māori Studies and Communications from Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland. During her studies, she worked as a recruitment officer for Te Wānanga o Aotearoa where she gained experience in community engagement and has also worked across a range of media projects with Great Southern Television and Aotearoa Media Collective. Omiha was born and raised in Tāmakimakaurau, with whakapapa links to Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi, Poutini Ngāi Tahu and Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa.
Chelsea has a wealth of experience from the banking sector spanning 20 years, most of it with Aotearoa's biggest bank. She joins us from her most recent role as Business Manager, where she worked closely with a range of high value businesses, providing tailored financial and banking support, ensuring they were well set them up for success now and in the future. Chelsea brings to Te Amokura a unique skillset that will be critical in supporting Te Amokura future ambitions. Her banking career has helped shape Chelsea's expertise in business management and operations, sales and financial products, customer relations, and micro-level problem solving. Chelsea was born and raised in Waitara and is of Te Āti Awa and Taranaki descent. She now resides in Porirua with her husband and 2 children.
Daniel graduated from the University of Auckland with a Bachelor of Arts in Japanese and Spanish. His passion for te reo Māori was ignited after starting his reo journey in 2017 and is excited to be part of the te reo Māori and tikanga Māori revitalisation movement. Daniel is interested in inter-indigenous connections around the world and how this can foster the use of indigenous solutions to global issues. Prior to joining Te Amokura, Daniel worked for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade both as an intern and as a Policy Officer, most recently in the Polynesia and French Pacific Division. He was also a Māori Policy Intern at the British High Commission where he helped develop the High Commission's Māori engagement strategy, engaged in initiatives to strengthen the UK-Māori relationship, and worked on a number of other kaupapa Māori initiatives. Daniel was born and raised in Tāmaki Makaurau and has whakapapa Waikato-Tainui, Ngāti Hikairo, Ngāi Tahu, and Pākehā.
Glenys has 36 years' experience across the education sector including early learning, primary, secondary and tertiary education. Her specialist area is Māori medium education pathways. She has held senior leadership and management roles in kura, the Education Review Office and the Ministry of Education. Glenys has recently been responsible for leading the redesign of the national curriculum (Te Marautanga o Aotearoa) where she worked with education experts and leaders, whānau and ministry officials to lay the foundation for an authentic indigenous curriculum that supports the aspirations of ākonga, their whānau, hapū and iwi. Glenys holds a Bachelor of Education from Victoria University as well as Post Graduate Diplomas in Education (VUW) and Social Sector Research and Evaluation Methodologies (Massey University).
Hinerangi has more than 20-years experience as a Māori communications specialist providing strategic communications, engagement, media and marketing services to many organisations, always with a kaupapa Māori lens. She has also been a journalist and a Press Secretary in Parliament. Major campaigns she has led include the Karawhiua campaign for Te Puni Kōkiri (2021-2022), the Constitution Conversation for the Ministry of Justice (2012-14) and Te Mana campaign for the Ministry of Education (2006-2009). Hinerangi has a degree in broadcast communications and is actively involved in whānau, hapū and iwi development. She lives with her partner and two of their five bilingual children in Wellington.
Rawinia, or more affectionately knows as Ra, leads the Hauora, Health outcomes practice at Te Amokura, having joined us from the Transitional Unit at the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, where she helped to drive the establishment of the Maori Health Authority. Ra has over 25-years' experience in the health and social services sectors, where she held a number of senior leadership roles in organisations such as District Health Boards, Primary Healthcare Organisations and Te Puni Kokiri. Her experience includes driving change management processes to optimise performance, the implementation of policy and strategy into initiatives grounded in community and leading end-to-end commissioning processes using frameworks and principles steeped in Te Ao Maori. Ra has a Bachelor Degree in Social Practice (Community Development) and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA).
After completing a BCom at the University of Auckland Kara spent several years in manufacturing management with Nestle. Over the past fifteen years Kara has held executive roles in retail with JB HiFi, Warehouse Stationery and The Warehouse. His most recent role as GM of Warehouse Mobile involved the creation & launch of NZ's leading virtual network in partnership with 2 degrees.
An analytical and strategic thinker Kara has a range of core competencies including sourcing, project management, consumer insight, negotiation and ideation.
He is Advisory Chair for the boy's hostel of InZone Education and a keen coach of cricket & soccer.
Les comes to Te Amokura with an extensive policing and security background with over 20-years of operational, strategic and tactical experience. During his career, he was a key member of the Prime Minister's personal security and close protection detail with the Diplomatic Protection Service. He has also been involved in the planning and execution of many high level visits by foreign dignitaries. Prior to joining Te Amokura, Les spent the last 7-years working across local and central government, providing specialist security advice, most recently with the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, and Parliamentary Services. In these roles, Les was responsible for managing and implementing successful transformative security improvement programmes.
Lynette joined Te Amokura after 15 years with Whakaata Māori as their Head of News and Current Affairs and Planning. Lynette's extensive experience in Māori broadcasting and the media sector underpins her abilitity to co-design and implement a multi platform approach to weaving a 'good story'. Her relationship management is exceptional and has built strong rapport with iwi and te ao Māori leaders.
Problem-solving and planning is king to executing any task at hand and Lynette brings this strength to the teams she works with. She quickly identifies the problem or goal and takes you on the journey to achieve it.
Lynette has executive level knowledge of operational Human Resources disciplines and has experience in financial literacy, people management and high-level strategic design.
With over 10-years as a professional sportsperson, Nehe brings strategy, leadership and high-performance capability to Te Amokura. With a depth of experience in health and wellbeing, Nehe has a system level focus on delivering better outcomes for Maori. Hailing from Te Tairawhiti, and with whakapapa to Ngati Porou and Tapuika, Nehe debuted for the Ngati Porou East Coast rugby team in 2021, winning his only game for the season against Poverty Bay, and importantly, allowing him to claim a 100% winning streak for his tribal team! In 2015, Nehe was awarded the World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the year, having played a key role in the All Blacks winning the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
After chasing a professional rugby career in Auckland, Nehemiah has put away his boots and brings his focus and team orientated mind-set to Te Amokura as an intern working in our Tāmaki Office.
Nehemiah is currently studying psychology at Massey University and is a Bursar at Te Rau Puawai - Māori mental health workforce development scheme. He hopes his interest in understanding the relationship between culture and wellbeing will help him to advance and improve Māori outcomes in cultural modes of treatment in care.
Nehemiah has had the privilege of being raised in two worlds by his whānau, in rural Ruātoki and urban Tāmaki Makaurau.
Omiha is a proud alumna of kōhanga reo, kura kaupapa Māori and rumaki reo. She holds a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Māori Studies and Communications from Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland. During her studies, she worked as a recruitment officer for Te Wānanga o Aotearoa where she gained experience in community engagement and has also worked across a range of media projects with Great Southern Television and Aotearoa Media Collective. Omiha was born and raised in Tāmakimakaurau, with whakapapa links to Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi, Poutini Ngāi Tahu and Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa.
Rawinia, or more affectionately knows as Ra, leads the Hauora, Health outcomes practice at Te Amokura, having joined us from the Transitional Unit at the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, where she helped to drive the establishment of the Maori Health Authority. Ra has over 25-years' experience in the health and social services sectors, where she held a number of senior leadership roles in organisations such as District Health Boards, Primary Healthcare Organisations and Te Puni Kokiri. Her experience includes driving change management processes to optimise performance, the implementation of policy and strategy into initiatives grounded in community and leading end-to-end commissioning processes using frameworks and principles steeped in Te Ao Maori. Ra has a Bachelor Degree in Social Practice (Community Development) and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA).
Rawinia (aka, Ra or Whaea Ra) enjoyed a long career in the public sector, primarily in administration and finance roles, having worked previously with the Department of Māori Affairs, Te Tira Ahu Iwi (Iwi Transition Agency), Te Puni Kōkiri, the Office of the Māori Trustee and Hato Pāora College in Feilding. Ra is married to Vaughn and has two sons, Sonny and Luther, who keep her just as busy as the Te Amokura whanau. Rotorua is "home" for Ra where she has whakapapa links to Te Arawa, Ngati Whatua and Ngāi Tahu.
Chelsea has a wealth of experience from the banking sector spanning 20 years, most of it with Aotearoa's biggest bank. She joins us from her most recent role as Business Manager, where she worked closely with a range of high value businesses, providing tailored financial and banking support, ensuring they were well set them up for success now and in the future. Chelsea brings to Te Amokura a unique skillset that will be critical in supporting Te Amokura future ambitions. Her banking career has helped shape Chelsea's expertise in business management and operations, sales and financial products, customer relations, and micro-level problem solving. Chelsea was born and raised in Waitara and is of Te Āti Awa and Taranaki descent. She now resides in Porirua with her husband and 2 children.
Regan is energised by supporting and creating opportunities that result in Māori realising their aspirations and achieving wellbeing.
As a former member of the New Zealand Police, Regan has led the development of strategy, engagement and implementation of a number of transformative processes that have enhanced the way the Police work with and deliver services to Māori communities. This experience has provided him with a deep understanding of how to achieve equity and the depth of the Crown's obligations to Māori.
Regan is passionate about building authentic and enduring relationships, which he believes is the foundation upon which positive outcomes are achieved.
After a 15-year career as a professional sportsperson, Rua returned home to work for his iwi in the community he was raised. In 2012 he completed his BA in Social Policy and Māori. Prior to joining Te Amokura, Rua spent seven years in the commercial and residential finance sector where he helped individuals, whānau and organisations achieve their financial goals. Rua's diverse career has helped mould his high-performance mindset and provided opportunities to develop strong competencies in strategic leadership, finance and community engagement. Rua is a former Māori All Black Captain who lists the Ngāti Porou East Coast Meads Cup Championship as a career highlight.
Taimania has worked across several complex public sector work programmes in the areas of Crown Māori Relations, Māori Development, Natural Resources and Education. Taimania has experience in designing and implementing systems to improve consideration and implementation of Treaty commitments in policy development and is well versed in the machinery of government. A critical thinker with a drive to deliver high quality outputs and outcomes, Taimania can provide leadership and support for specific projects or general capability for any team. Taimania has extensive experience working for iwi and community organisations, focusing mostly on social development. Taimania has an undergraduate degrees in Arts (Social Policy)(Hons) and Business Studies (Economics) and a Master of Arts (Social Policy)(Hons) from Massey University. Taimania was raised in Gisborne. Her whānau are from Rangitukia and Tikitiki on the right side of the Waiapu valley!
After graduating from Victoria University of Wellington with a BA in Anthropology and Masters in Education, Thomas worked in an academic role for the university before spending time in the private sector. Thomas then transitioned to the public sector and has worked across government for close to 20-years in a variety of roles spanning policy, strategy and engagement for numerous departments and agencies including the Treasury, the Environmental Protection Authority, the Social Investment Agency, the Ministry of Education and Te Puni Kōkiri. Thomas has also served as the Private Secretary for the Minister of Research Science and Technology. Thomas was raised by his grandparents in Awakairangi with regular trips back to his Tairāwhiti homeland.
Les comes to Te Amokura with an extensive policing and security background with over 20-years of operational, strategic and tactical experience. During his career, he was a key member of the Prime Minister's personal security and close protection detail with the Diplomatic Protection Service. He has also been involved in the planning and execution of many high level visits by foreign dignitaries. Prior to joining Te Amokura, Les spent the last 7-years working across local and central government, providing specialist security advice, most recently with the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, and Parliamentary Services. In these roles, Les was responsible for managing and implementing successful transformative security improvement programmes.
Troy has a long history of service to his many communities. He comes from a policing background and was appointed Kaitakawaenga/Iwi Liaison Officer in 2000. In 2001, he led ground-breaking training of police staff in the areas of cultural sensitivity and how te Tiriti o Waitangi can be applied within the modern-day policing environment. Prior to joining Te Amokura, he spent three years teaching the Services Pathway Programme at the Eastern Institute of Technology in Tairāwhiti. Troy is a qualified police negotiator, he has extensive knowledge of te Tiriti and specialises in iwi engagement. His most recent mahi includes facilitating consultations on pricing agricultural emissions with MPI and the Equitable Transitions Strategy with MBIE and MSD.
Katherine (Kat) has worked across the health and education system for over 15 years, primarily with NGOs and Government providers focussing on Māori Health, Public Health and Workforce Development. Kat has held a variety of leadership roles at the Ministry of Health, and recently with the Māori Health Directorate, to support the NZ Health System Reforms. With a passion for achieving equitable health outcomes, particularly from a te ao Māori perspective, Kat has deep experience in the development and delivery of cultural competency training programmes, with a focus on delivering more successful health services. Kat hails from Whanganui and holds a BA in Māori Studies and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Public Health from Massey University.
Job Titles:
- Leader in Māori
- Specialist Consultant
Whaimutu is a leader in Māori business organisations, with particular expertise in forestry and fisheries, serving as Chair of Ngati Porou Forests, the Sealord Group and Moana New Zealand. He also served as a member of the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission in its first 10 years.
Glenys has 36 years' experience across the education sector including early learning, primary, secondary and tertiary education. Her specialist area is Māori medium education pathways. She has held senior leadership and management roles in kura, the Education Review Office and the Ministry of Education. Glenys has recently been responsible for leading the redesign of the national curriculum (Te Marautanga o Aotearoa) where she worked with education experts and leaders, whānau and ministry officials to lay the foundation for an authentic indigenous curriculum that supports the aspirations of ākonga, their whānau, hapū and iwi. Glenys holds a Bachelor of Education from Victoria University as well as Post Graduate Diplomas in Education (VUW) and Social Sector Research and Evaluation Methodologies (Massey University).