June 13, 2023 – Te Hapori Matihiko proudly unveils the finalists for the highly anticipated Matihiko Awards, the first-ever event honouring Māori excellence in the digital and tech sector. The awards ceremony will be held on July 7, 2023, at Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua.
“We are blown away by the tremendous response and the remarkable talent showcased in the nominations. The digital and tech industry has seen an incredible surge of innovation both within Aotearoa and on the global stage. These awards aim to recognise and celebrate the exceptional contributions made by Māori in this field,” says Katie Brown, co-founder of Te Hapori Matihiko.
The Matihiko Awards will provide a platform to celebrate and honour Māori innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders who have achieved success in the digital and tech sectors. The event will culminate in the Hākari celebration, where the winners will be announced and applauded for their contributions. Each of the 11 categories has two winners, a Totara (rangatira) and a Tipu (emergent leader) .
Lee Timutimu, co-founder of Te Hapori Matihiko, is excited for the potential for Māori in the industry, stating, “The Matihiko Awards serve as a testament to the incredible talent and ingenuity within the Māori community. It’s an opportunity to recognise their valuable contributions, inspire rangatahi, and encourage growth of Māori in the digital and tech industry.”
The diverse range of accomplishments and innovations shown by the finalists for the Matihiko Awards showcases the depth of talent within the Māori digital and tech sector.
The Matihiko Awards finalists truly exemplify the remarkable work by Māori happening in the digital and tech sector across Aotearoa and internationally. We commend all nominees and finalists for their outstanding achievements and the positive impact they have on our industry.
For more information about the Matihiko Awards and Te Hapori Matihiko, please visit www.matihiko.nz
2023 Matihiko Awards Finalists and Winners:
There are 11 categories and two winners awarded in each category, a Totara (rangatira – leader) and a Tipu (emergent leader).
Living Icon and Emergent Icon
- Aleisha Amohia, Catalyst IT
- Maru Nihoniho, Metia Interactive
- Taikawa Tamati-Elliffe, Ngāti Gaming – WINNER / EMERGENT ICON
- Amber Taylor, Ara Journeys
- Dr Warren Williams, Digital Taniwha
- Robyn Kamira, Paua Interface – WINNER / LIVING ICON
Change Maker and Emergent Change Maker Award
(Sponsored by: Te Huarahi Tika Trust)
- Jesse Armstrong, VAKA – WINNER / TIPU
- Kaye Maree Dunn, MEA Limited
- Raymond McKay, RUN Aotearoa
- Naomi Manu, Auraki Group – WINNER / TŌTARA
- Shanon O’Connor, Tōnui Collab
- Amber Taylor, Ara Journeys
Kaupapa Award
(Sponsored by: The Spark Foundation)
- Elle Archer, ELG
- Owyn Aitken, Remojo Tech – WINNER / TIPU
- Peter Lucas Jones, Te Hiku Media
- Awhina Ngatuere, Toi Kai Rawa Trust / Ko Māui Hangarau
- Veeshayne Patuwai, Mana Wāhine
- Potaua Biasiny-Tule, DNA – WINNER / TŌTARA
- Dr Warren Williams, Digital Taniwha
- Te Kei o Te Waka Tainui – Te Pae Hononga
Rangatiratanga Award
(Sponsored by: Te Puni Kokiri)
- Pera Barrett, Shoebox Christmas Aotearoa
- Denise Carter Bennett, Datacom
- Rahui Brownlee, KPMG – WINNER / TIPU
- Kris Dempster-Rivett, Internet NZ / DECA – WINNER / TŌTARA (JOINT)
- Raymond McKay, RUN Aotearoa
- Phil Kupenga, Next Chapter Consulting WINNER / TŌTARA (JOINT)
- Tewaiehu Savage, Kōtui Ako Virtual Learning Network Aotearoa
- Potaua Biasiny-Tule, DNA
Whiua ki te Ao Award
(Sponsored by: Ngāti Toa Rangatira)
- Mel Gollan, RIPA Global – WINNER / TŌTARA
- Jordan Koziol-Repia, KIWA Digital / Voice Q
- Peter-Lucas Jones, Te Hiku Media
- Tuterangiwhiu Grant-Cairns, Online Reo Agency
- Hohepa (Cory) McKenzie, Company-X
- Kale Panoho, K&J Growth – WINNER / TIPU
- Dylan Pahina, Altered State Machine
Kaitiaki o te Taiao Award
(Sponsored by: Aurecon)
- Sara Smeath, Circlr – WINNER / TIPU
- Michele Wilson & Samantha Veitch, ehoa app
- Owyn Aitken, Remojo Tech
- James Morrison, Weatherstation
- Mel Gollan, RIPA Global – WINNER / TŌTARA
Public Sector Award
(Sponsored by: MBIE)
- Kara Nepe-Apatu, Te Rau Hihiri
- He Ara Poutama mō te reo Māori, Te Mātāwai, Te Taura Whiri, Ministry of Education, Kōtātā Insight, Nicholson Consulting – WINNER
- Teresa Pollard, Te Pūkenga
- Steve Renata, KIWA Digital
Kaiāwhina Award
(Sponsored by: InternetNZ)
- Tina Clarke, Tolaga Bay Innovation Hub
- Kris Dempster-Rivett, InternetNZ
- Kaye Maree Dunn, MEA Limited – WINNER / TŌTARA
- Tina Kaiawe, Te Kei o Te Waka Tainui – Te Pae Hononga – WINNER / TIPU
- Hemi Ruka
- Dougal Stott, Dev Academy Aotearoa
- Charis Tutaki, Aurecon
Pakihi Award
(Sponsored by: Waikato-Tainui)
- Madison Henry-Ryan, Māui Studios Aotearoa
- Peke-Tupaea Manawaiti, Pou Digital
- Hoani Matenga, HIWA Systems
- Raymond McKay, RUN Aotearoa
- Kale Panoho, K&J Growth – WINNER / TIPU
- Steve Renata, KIWA Digital – WINNER / TŌTARA
Innovator and Emergent Innovator
(Sponsored by: Payments NZ)
- Maru Nihoniho, Metia Interactive – WINNER / TŌTARA
- Te Miringa Parkes, Ūkaipō
- Amber Taylor, Ara Journeys – WINNER / TIPU
- Hiria Te Rangi, Tuaiwi Labs
- Michele Wilson & Samantha Veitch, ehoa app
Corporate Change
- Rahui Brownlee, KPMG – WINNER / TIPU
- Denise Carter Bennett, Datacom
- Riki Hollings, Spark NZ | Kora Aotearoa
- Rose Schwass, Te Whatu Ora Tairāwhiti – WINNER / TIPU
- Megan Tapsell, ANZ – GM Enterprise & Pacific Technology
- Dan Te Whenua Walker, Microsoft
- Ernestynne Walsh, Nicholson Consulting
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Note to Editors:
About the Matihiko Awards: The awards, organised by Te Hapori Matihiko, celebrate Māori excellence in the digital and tech sector. These awards honour individuals and businesses who have made significant contributions to the industry, showcasing innovation, leadership and enterprise. The Matihiko Awards aim to inspire and encourage Māori participation and advancement in the digital and tech sector. The awards ceremony will take place on July 7, 2023, at the Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua.
The Matihiko Awards are supported by:
MBIE, Te Huarahi Tika Trust, The Spark Foundation, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Aurecon, InternetNZ, Waikato-Tainui, Te Puni Kōkiri, Māori Women’s Development Inc, Payments NZ, Māori IT, Māui Studios and Ariki Creative.
