He tōtara, He Tipu
Celebrating our Award Recipients for Ngā Tohu Matihiko 2025
This wao of Tōtara and Tipu is in celebration of the recipients of Ngā Tohu Matihiko for 2025.
Our recipients for 2025 are acknowledged for their leadership, innovation and enduring contributions to te ao hurihuri. Like pou in a wharenui or rākau towering in te wao nui a Tāne, they uphold the future and whilst carving out space to manaaki those who are yet to come.
He mihi ki tō tātou nei pou tokomanawa i te ao hāngarau. Join us in celebrating our recipients of Ngā Tohu Matihiko 2025!
He Mihi
The awards are designed to be inter-generational — along with a Living Icon and Emergent Icon award, there is a tuakana and a teina recipient for each of the 10 awards.
He Tōtara
An established leader
He Tipu
An emergent leader, or someone new to the industry (5-7 years)
Each Tōtara and Tipu in each category receives $1,000 to koha to a kaupapa of their choice.
Corporate Change
Corporate Change recognises contribution to progressing and empowering kaupapa Māori within a corporate workplace.
Tipu Recipient
Kat Falepau
Ngai Tai ki Tāmaki, Waikato Tainui
Arup
Kat Falepau is the Global Business Engagement Partner & Digital Technology Recruitment Manager at Arup, a global collective of designers, engineers, consultants, and digital experts working across 34+ countries.
Managing the day-to-day business operations for a team of over 700 staff globally, Kat leads recruitment efforts for Digital Technology positions while ensuring diversity, inclusion, and innovation.
Her professional focus lies at the intersection of technology and people, with a deep commitment to weaving kaupapa Māori into everything she does at Arup. Kat joined an international company and asked: How do I create more Māori opportunities through this?
Tōtara Recipient
Ernestynne Walsh
Ngāti Porou, Te-Whānau-ā-Apanui
Nicholson Consulting
Ernestynne leads Nicholson Consulting’s Māori Data Service Area, an area she built from the ground up.
This mahi involves forecasting the number of te reo Māori speakers in the future, as well as survey analysis for organisations working in te reo Māori.
Alongside being a mentor to the next generation of Māori data experts, Ernestynne approaches mahi applying tikanga Māori values such as whakawhanaungatanga first, and focuses on work with intergenerational impact, paving way for initiatives such as the “Challenging the Existing Norms” kaupapa which was used to weave te ao Māori into all aspects of the organisation.
Innovator
Innovator & Emergent Innovator recognises innovative mahi or mahi in innovation.
Tipu Recipient
Nicole Retter
Muaūpoko
PAM
Drawing from her personal experiences as a working māmā, Nicole founded PAM (Personal Admin Manager), an app designed to lighten the mental load for parents when it comes to whānau administration.
With an extensive marketing background and innovative approach to addressing real-world challenges, PAM integrates professional expertise with personal insight to create impactful tech solutions.
Nicole’s vision for PAM extends beyond convenience, she hopes that by reducing the mental load, PAM will help parents have more time for what truly matters. With innovation, privacy, and user needs at its core, PAM is poised to become an essential tool for families worldwide.
Tōtara Recipient
Amber Craig
Ngāti Kahungunu, Rangitāne, Muaūpoko, Ngāi Tara
Te Whare Hangahanga
Amber Craig is a pioneering Māori technologist, strategist and kaupapa Māori innovator, founding Te Whare Hangahanga, a kaupapa built to design te ao Māori-led solutions for social change.
She has served on the Council of InternetNZ for 8 years, contributed to the Digital Economy & Digital Inclusion Ministerial Advisory Group, and has led digital literacy and education initiatives for Māori communities across Aotearoa. Through Te Whare Hangahanga and Te Rua o Mahara Trust, Amber builds scalable, culturally grounded systems that serve whānau, uplift te reo and tikanga, and enable rangatahi to thrive.
Pakihi
Pakihi recognises excellence of Maori business in digital and tech.
Tipu Recipient
Cloverbase
Cloverbase is a digital enablement consultancy dedicated to empowering leaders with the mindset needed to navigate an increasingly digital world.
As technological change accelerates, digital literacy has become an essential leadership skill, whether leading a boardroom or starting a professional journey.
Cloverbase equips leaders to think critically about technology and use it ethically and effectively through tailored training, personalised mentoring and in-person workshops.
Tōtara Recipient
Te Matatini Enterprises
Te Matatini Enterprises is the social enterprise arm of Te Matatini Society Incorporated, supporting the growth and delivery of Aotearoa’s premier kapa haka festival.
Guided by the mission to protect, promote and practice Māori cultural and creative excellence, the organisation blends strategic partnerships and kaupapa Māori values to elevate kapa haka on the global stage.
Te Matatini ensures the festival remains widely accessible while staying true to its cultural roots, authenticity and integrity.
Kaiāwhina
Kaiāwhina recognises the planners, organisers, project managers and people that kept the mahi moving.
Tipu Recipient
Ta'ase Vaoga
Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi, Ngāpuhi, Hāmoa
Tahuriora Consulting, Previously InternetNZ
Ta’ase Vaoga is a rising leader in Aotearoa’s digital equity, data, and tech landscape.
With a unique blend of kaupapa Mãori strategy, policy influence, digital insight and community-rooted leadership, Ta’ase is making bold and meaningful contributions to how we design digital futures.
Whilst at Internet NZ, Ta’ase led a landmark constitutional transformation programme, embedding Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Māori aspirations into the governance of Aotearoa New Zealand’s internet infrastructure.
She is responsible for designing and implementing a bespoke, Tiriti-led approach to this change, a first for the organisation in its 30-year history.
Tōtara Recipient
Moko Templeton
Waikato, Ngāranui
Te Matatini Enterprises
Moko Templeton is the Media and Communications Lead for Matatini Enterprises, where she has demonstrated exceptional leadership in using digital technology to increase the reach and accessibility of Te Matatini, Aotearoa’s kapa haka festival. Her innovative approach to digital communications has revolutionised how audiences engage with this special event.
Alongside Te Matatini, she manages the Kiingitanga socials, providing more access and connection to the Kiingitanga.
Public Sector
Public Sector recognises contribution by Māori kaimahi within the public sector in digital and tech.
Tipu Recipient
Jahminique Grace
Ngāti Porou
Te Tāhū Hauora Health Quality & Safety Commission New Zealand
Jahminique is the Māori Data Governance Lead at Te Tāhu Hauora.
She previously served at Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand as Kaitohutohu Intelligence – Hauora Māori Tūmatanui and at Te Whatu Ora Tairāwhiti in multiple roles including Business Analyst, IT Support Officer, and Data Analyst.
She holds a Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science and is currently pursuing a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences, Digital Health and Te Pokairua Tikanga (Mātauranga Māori) Kaupae 5 in Indigenous Studies.
Tōtara Recipient
Sonny Tatahau Taite
Ngāi Te Rangi
Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand
Sonny is a nationally recognised cybersecurity leader and currently serves as the National Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Te Whatu Ora. With over 20 years of experience in digital infrastructure and cybersecurity across public and private sectors, Sonny is known for leading complex national-scale transformations that enhance the resilience and security of Aotearoa’s health system. Sonny is an advocate for Mãori inclusion in tech.
He co-designed and leads the Cyber Academy, an initiative that trains Maori and Pacific rangatahi for roles in cybersecurity.
Sonny leads with strategy, values and vision, driving systemic change and paving the way for future generations.
Kaitiaki o te Taiao
Kaitiaki o te Taiao recognises contribution to digital projects which have a positive impact on sustainability and te taiao.
Tipu Recipient
Ratu Mataira
Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu
OpenStar Technologies
Dr. Ratu Mataira is a visionary physicist and the founder and CEO of OpenStar Technologies, a Wellington-based startup at the forefront of nuclear fusion research.
His leadership in developing a levitated dipole fusion reactor positions Aotearoa as a global contender in the quest for clean, sustainable energy.
Ratu’s work is not only a scientific breakthrough but also a profound expression of kaitiakitanga, aiming to protect Papatūānuku through innovative technology grounded in Māori values.
Tōtara Recipient
Mike Taitoko
Ngāti Manaiapoto
Toha, Takiwā
Mike Taitoko is a pioneering Māori tech entrepreneur, environmental strategist, and systems-change leader whose mahi sits at the intersection of data, finance, whenua and kaupapa Māori.
He is the co-founder of Takiwā, a geo-analytics platform designed to democratise access to data for iwi, hapū, and communities; and co-founder of Toha, an impact-driven network that enables scalable investment into climate and environmental action.
Mike’s vision is grounded in kaitiakitanga, empowering whānau to take collective, coordinated action to protect and regenerate te taiao.
His work is collaborative, future-focused, and a living example of Indigenous innovation that centres both whenua and whakapapa.
Whiua ki te Ao
Whiua ki te Ao recognises contribution to global projects in digital and tech.
Tipu Recipient
Au Consulting
Matāwaka
AU Consulting is a kaupapa Māori-led consultancy that fuses cultural integrity with digital innovation.
Founded by Gloria Ewe and Jahmaine Cummings-Hodge, AU works at the intersection of Te Ao Māori, learning strategy, and enterprise transformation.
Our name, “AU,” reflects the currents of Tangaroa—guiding our clients through powerful and purposeful learning journeys. We specialise in building ecosystems of Māori suppliers to co-deliver at scale.
In 2024, AU led Project Joey, the complete redesign of Qantas’ cabin crew training programme. With over 5,500 staff impacted globally, it became a standout kaupapa, embedding Māori intelligence into international aviation, compliance, and digitech transformation.
Tōtara Recipient
Miriana Lowrie
Ngā Rauru Kītahi
1Centre
Miriana Lowrie is the founder and CEO of 1Centre, a pioneering fintech company transforming the B2B trade credit application process.
With over 20 years of experience in the banking sector, Miriana identified a critical need for a streamlined, paperless solution to manage trade credit applications, leading her to establish 1Centre in 2016, aiming to simplify and digitise the traditionally cumbersome process of opening trade accounts between suppliers and business customers.
Miriana’s commitment extends beyond technological innovation; she is dedicated to fostering diversity within the tech industry and serves as an inspiration for Māori women aspiring to enter the sector.
Rangatiratanga
Rangatiratanga recognises excellence in leadership. This may be in governance, business leadership or rōpū leadership.
Dan Te Whenua Walker
Ngāti Ruanui, Ngā Ruahinerangi, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa, Tūhourangi, Maniapoto, Manuhiakai, Tangahoe
Microsoft
Dan Te Whenua Walker exemplifies rangatiratanga through his exceptional leadership across multiple domains, corporate technology, Māori development, governance, and cultural revitalisation.
After overcoming early identity struggles and dropping out of high school, Dan transformed his life through cultural reconnection and professional development.
Now holding two master’s degrees with distinction, pursuing doctoral studies, and serving in senior leadership roles at Microsoft alongside numerous board positions, Dan embodies rangatiratanga that honors traditional values while embracing innovation and global engagement.
Daniel Karehana Memorial Scholarship
The Daniel Karehana Memorial Scholarship was established by Daniel’s wife, Kristine, and their children Keiteria, Edvards, and Mikelis to honour his legacy as a respected Māori tech leader and co-founder of BlinkPay. Known for his vision, integrity, and commitment to community, Daniel’s memory lives on through this scholarship, which supports rangatahi Māori pursuing careers in tech. It was presented to this year’s recipient, Lucas, by Daniel’s father, Turapaki Joseph “Joe” Gardiner, and his son, Mikelis Karehana.
Lucas Bawden
Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Te Pou
Now in his final year of a Bachelor of Computer and Information Sciences at AUT, Lucas is majoring in Data Science with a minor in Networks and Cybersecurity. A passionate advocate for tech, he’s interned at 2degrees and Google, where he helped reduce cloud costs by 31% through a FinOps project and contributed to an AI mental health assistant for Māori and Pacific youth.
For the past two years, he’s taught coding and robotics to tamariki as a STEM educator. He hopes to one day launch a nonprofit that helps rangatahi Māori and Pacific into tech, an ambition shaped by being the first in his whānau to attend university.
Lucas also plans to join the RNZAF in an intelligence role before stepping into leadership. For him, tech is a way to serve communities and create meaningful change.
Kaupapa
Kaupapa for contribution to not-for-profit, community, iwi or social enterprise in the digital and tech sector.
Tipu Recipient
M.A.T.C.H. Tech Creative Hub
Ōtaki
The MATCH Creative Intensifier is a 12-week training program aimed at Māori seeking to work in the film and creative industries.
Located at the Māoriland Hub in Ōtaki, MATCH is more than just a training program.
It’s a creative space designed to empower rangatahi Māori with the skills to excel in the film and tech industries. From animation and graphic design to game development and VR, MATCH is your gateway to working in the creative sectors.
Tōtara Recipient
Digital Natives Academy
Rotorua
Digital Natives Academy (DNA) is a kaupapa Māori charitable trust founded in 2014 by Nikolasa and Potaua Biasiny-Tule, with the mission to inspire the next generation of Māori digital leaders.
The kaupapa includes key initiatives like Te Iwi Matihiko, which supports digital wellbeing through a Māori values framework, and Get Into Games Aotearoa, the country’s largest online outreach event connecting thousands of students with careers in gaming and tech.
DNA is a movement that empowers rangatahi to be creators of digital tools. It is a proven, values-led, and nationally significant kaupapa Māori tech incubator transforming the future of Māori in digital.
Change-Maker
Change-maker Recognises contributions to meaningful change in the digital and tech sector.
Tipu Recipient
Kātene Durie-Doherty
Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kauwhata, Kāi Tahu, Rongowhakaata, Rangitāne, Ngāti Raukawa
Motion Sickness
A catalyst for change, Kātene’s work bringing kaupapa Māori into the corporate boardrooms and advertising agencies ensuring that Māori voices are not only heard but are leading the charge in the creation of innovative campaigns that benefit the community.
He has been pivotal in developing a series of world-first initiatives, including the “Real Time Reo” project which turns billboards into live Māori language translators.
This work, alongside his campaigns like “Fight for Your Whakapapa” and “Proud to Be Māori,” has redefined how Māori culture is portrayed in the corporate space.
Tōtara Recipient
Jordan Koziol-Repia
Ngāti Kahungunu, Te iwi o Rakaipaaka
Kiwa Digital
With nearly 15 years at Indigenous-owned Media Tech company Kiwa Digital (KIWA), Jordan started as an audio engineer, quickly advancing into data management and application development.
He has led the way in global dubbing projects for major names like Netflix, Disney, and Amazon.
Guided by whanaungatanga and Tikanga Māori principles, Jordan’s mission is to nurture, uplift, and make a lasting impact on all who cross his path.
Recently he’s been involved in the development of a new platform for cloud-based media localisation, new models for language learning, and a novel SaaS CultureQ® that enables Indigenous Peoples to “reclaim the narrative”.
Emergent Icon
Emergent Icon recognises great achievement to a newcomer in the digital tech sector. Service and contribution to Mãori digital and tech.
Léon Bristow
Ngāpuhi
BEINGS + Colenso BBDO
A global trailblazer, recognised leader in the advertising industry and a proud voice for tangata whenua, Léon is deeply passionate about championing diversity and inclusion on the world stage.
Léon has achieved international acclaim, including the Grand Prix Lion at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, ranking him the 4th best Art Director in the world.
Léon uses his platform to empower indigenous voices globally, strengthening the indigenous lense, Léon is a force for collective progress, carving out space for the next generation of Māori storytellers.
Living Icon
Living Icon recognises a lifetime achievement in service to Māori and the digital tech sector.
Te Taka Keegan
Waikato-Maniapoto, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Whakaue
University of Waikato
Te Taka Keegan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Software Engineering at the University of Waikato, where he also serves as the Associate Dean Māori for Te Wānanga Pūtaiao (Division of Health, Engineering, Computing, and Sciences).
His pioneering work lies at the intersection of computer science and te reo Māori.
His focus on integrating te reo Māori into digital platforms ensures its vitality in the modern world, making technology more accessible to Māori speakers and setting a precedent for indigenous language integration in digital platforms globally.
Sponsors | Kaitautoko
Our amazing sponsors have allowed us to deliver this event and continue our mahi for Māori in digital and tech. As a not-for-profit, we rely on the tautoko of organisations like these who share our vision and values for Māori, and Aotearoa.
E rere ana ngā mihi ki ngā kaitautoko o Ngā Tohu Matihiko! E kore te puna mihi mimiti! We extend our deepest gratitude to you all.
