Finalists Announced – Ngā Tohu Matihiko 2024

Te Hapori Matihiko is proud to announce the finalists for the 2024 Matihiko Awards.

A strong, diverse lineup of Māori who are making significant contributions to te ao matihiko, digital and technology, in Aotearoa and internationally will be recognised at the Awards’ ceremony in June.

Categories include Emergent Icon, Living Icon, Changemaker, Kaitiaki o te Taiao, Innovator, Rangitiratanga and many others.

“All finalists are making such a massive contribution on the local and international stage,” says Te Hapori Matihiko CEO Katie Brown.

The diverse list of sectors represented across all categories shows how broad Māori business leaders are reaching, and progressing digital and technology.

“Te Ao Māori is contributing so much here and on the world stage, but it’s not necessarily known by people in Aotearoa, so it’s awesome to be able to celebrate the amazing mahi so many are doing,” says Ms Brown.

“These awards aim to shine a light on the many Māori who are achieving tremendous things, contributing to our digital and tech economy and lifting up our culture.”

The 2024 Matihiko Awards will be held on Saturday 22nd June 2024 at the Due Drop Event Centre in Manukau, Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland).

2024 Matihiko Awards finalists

Living Icon: 

Sir Ian Taylor, Animation Research Limited
Dr Johnson Witehira, IDIA & PAKU
Antony Royal, Tū Ātea
Dan Te Whenua Walker, Microsoft

Emergent Icon:
Madison Henry-Ryan, Māui Studios
Vincent Egan, Māui Studios
Tiger Telford, Aurecon

Changemaker:

Tōtara
Steven Renata, Kiwa Digital
Māui Studios
Adam Miratana, Aurecon

Tipu
Amy Stevens, Slice Technologies
Kirialana Wilson, Tōnui Collab
Sara Smeath, Circlr

Kaitiaki:

Tōtara
Dr Rory Clifford, University of Canterbury Computer Science and Software Engineering
Mere Takoko, Hinemoana Halo
Mapihi Martin-Paul and Brian McAuslan, Boffa Miskell

Tipu
Haukapuanui Vercoe, Te Arawa Lakes Trust
Sara Smeath, Circlr
Cecelia Kumeroa, IHI Design Studios

Corporate Change:

Tōtara

Ernestyne Walsh, Nicholson Consulting
Riki Hollings, Spark NZ
Vincent Egan, Māui Studios

Tipu
Jeremy Hollis, Wētā FX
Te Moana Barlow Bartlett, Now NZ
Isaac Morunga, Microsoft

Pakihi:

Tōtara
Māui Studios
Kiwa Digital
Joff Rae, iSparx

Tipu
AU
ATA Limited
Marina Kere, KDM Digital

Kaupapa:

Tōtara
Moira McGarva-Ratapu, Pursuit Ltd
Henry Lawton, Te Papatipu Matihiko
Tōnui Collab

Tipu
Pera Barrett, KohaTree
Billy Poi, Ngāti Porou Oranga 
Te Puna Oranga

Rangatiratanga:

Tōtara
Sarah Lee Te Huki, Fala Media
Mel Gollan, RIPA Global

Tipu
Miria Royal, Westpac
Aleisha Amohia, Catalyst IT
Damian Rangitutia, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa

Innovator:

Tōtara
Kahu Tuwhare, Kōrero Online
Shanon O’Connor, Tōnui Collab
Vincent Egan, Māui Studios

Tipu
Sara Smeath, Circlr
Michael Brian Puhara, kahu.code
Suede Sadler, Techtorium

Whiua ki te Ao:
Tweedie Waititi, Matewa Media
Grant Straker, Straker Group
Aaron Ward, Ask Nicely
Sara Smeath, Circlr

Kaiāwhina:

Tōtara

James Davis-Sigley, DataHQ and Ryze
Eva Riddell, Digital Future Aotearoa
Tahui Pare Ihimaera Crawford, Tairawhiti Technology

Tipu
Ashley Riddell, Kiwa Digital Ltd
Engie Matene, Ahau
Kirialiana Wilson, Tōnui Collab

Public Sector:

Amber Taylor, ARA Journeys
Henare Royal, Fire and Emergency New Zealand
Bruce Jepsen, Te Akau ki Pāpāmoa School

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