Poutasi, Falealili; Safune, Savai’i, Samoa
TA’ITA’I | Director
B.COM (First Class Honours)

Nelson’s experience in business development and market-making has seen him design commercial solutions for both corporate and grassroots entities and stakeholders across Aotearoa and the wider Pacific. His ambitions tend towards the innovation and optimisation of economic stimulus, within the context of thoughtfully designed eco-systems, that balance the importance of human, social, cultural, and environmental well-being.

Malie, Samoa; Scotland
MAUWAI | Co-Founder and Director
Learning Facilitator

Katharine’s practice promotes healing using indigenous and creative methodologies. She attempts to question some systematic oppressions that have been injected into our Moana cultures, whilst using our ancient knowledge to create an alternative way of operating and living in our everyday. Her work can be moving image, installation, workshops and poetry. However, she is most commonly known for ceremonial rituals based on intuitive activation.

Te Rarawa, Parewhero (Hapū), Irish + English Whakapapa
Mau Studio - Kaiarahi - Design Manager + Project Architect
BAS, M.Arch (Prof.) (Hons), Ngā Aho Member

Shaun leads the Mau Studio design consultancy, assuming the role of both project architect and the responsibility of building and overseeing the management of the design practice. His experience stems from the involvement on projects that vary greatly in typology and scale, working alongside both small format community organisations and a highly bespoke design practice. He brings a high tempo of design exploration, meticulous concern for detail and a conviction to ensure that architecture is an agent of social and cultural responsiveness. Above all, his desire is to amplify all people's connection to place and to one another. The hope is to do this by facilitating the creation of accessible, considered, safe, practical and beautiful spaces. Spaces that have longevity, instill dignity and provide resonance with the user.

Taranaki
MAUWAI | Co-Founder and Director
Learning Facilitator

Grayson is a Maaori artist, community activator, and social connector with a lived experience of colonisation & intergenerational trauma. He uses his creative practice and process to enable people to reimagine, disrupt and rebuild our future both collaboratively and equitably.

Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Kahungunu
The Roots Collective - Director
BAS, M.Arch (Prof.) (Hons), Ngā Aho Member
Waikare Komene is a young professional from Otara who is passionate about empowering communities from the grassroots up. Waikare is a trained architectural designer and is the driving force behind The Roots Creative Entrepreneurs. The Roots describes itself as “a creative business, a movement and a network,” and is based on the five values of roots, creativity, sustainability, intergenerational and community. It aims to empower young people by developing opportunities to showcase creativity, innovation, and design by educating young people from high school age up about environmental awareness and sustainability.

Gataivai, Palauli; Saleilua, Vaovai; Falealili, Samoa
South Auckland, NZ
Tautai | Co-Founder & Executive Director
MAUWAI | Co-Founder and Director
B.AS, M.Arch (Prof. Distinction), P.H.D Candidate, Regenerative Practitioner

Tau is our Founder and Executive Director. He takes pride in developing our vision and mission that best caters for the needs and aspirations of our clients, stakeholders, and communities. Tau believes that our built environment plays a critical role in celebrating our collective identity, and alleviating societal and economic pressure off our most vulnerable families.

Fagamalo, Safune, Leonē; Samoa
Architectural Designer
BAS, M.ARCH (Prof)

Venus has been the design lead of several projects ranging from residential to community works. With a sound understanding of cultural and technical design, her strength is ensuring our clients design brief is met with care and excellence. Her passion extends to tutoring at the Unitec School of Architecture where she provides design and pastoral care support for Maaori and Pasifika students.

Matafonua & Folaha, Tongatapu, Tonga
Architectural Graduate
BAS, M.ARCH (Prof)

Phillipp is a recent graduate of the Unitec School of Architecture. Now working as an Architectural Graduate at MAU Studio, the proud Tongan has worked across various projects ranging from renovations to community buildings. Phillipp is intrigued with how spaces can be designed to reflect and enhance the architectural landscape of Te Moana-Nui a Kiwa.

Ngati Whatua, Te Uri o Hau and the Cook Islands
Architectural Graduate
B.AS, M.Arch (Prof)

Hanna’s passion is designing and practising in the Cook Islands, and suporting Maaori and Pasifika families in to housing pathways. She believes in designing homes that accommodate Maaori and Pasifika cultural customs to meet the growing needs of Maaori and Pasifika families. Hanna also works part time with Ngaa Wai a te Tui, a kaupapa Maaori Research Centre, focussing on rangatahi Maaori housing initiatives.

Faleasiu, Vailoa Faleata : Samoa Architectural Graduate
B.AS, M.Arch (Prof)

Arielle is an ambitious architectural designer who has been across our Pacific Housing initiative and research. Working alongside Pasifika communities is an extension of tautua (service) and how she can impact and change the social environments. She is passionate about utilising Pasifika concepts and values to inform positive change for communities.