Meet our Whānau

• Ana Heremaia
  

  Co-founder - BDesn – Interior Architecture (Hons)

  Following extensive experience as an interior architect in Aotearoa and overseas, Ana moved to Kaikohe in 2014 motivated to create change through youth engagement. With both parents buried in Ngawha, her personal story drives the ĀKAU Kaupapa. As a strong connection between ĀKAU and the local community, Ana steers our waka with integrity and warmth.

• Felicity Brenchley
  

  Co-founder – MArch (Distinction) ANZIA ARBV

  As an award winning registered architect with more than 14 years experience, Felicity uses her creative and technical skills to take ĀKAU projects from dream to reality. Managing the ĀKAU studio with precision and passion, she ensures that every built project is a success.

• Ruby Watson
  

  Co-founder – MArch (Hons)

  Ruby is an exceptional artist and architectural designer, with extensive experience in youth and community engagement. She is adept at connecting with taitamariki and coming up with innovative teaching methods. Continually adapting ĀKAU’s philosophy, Ruby keeps our youth programmes fresh, fun and productive.

• Colin Magee
  

  Non-executive director

  This title sounds flash – and it is. Colin currently works in financial regulation keeping an eye on big corporations. He brings to our board years of experience in governance, finance and legal matters.

• Marci-Lee Cowles
  

  Business administrator

  As well as working across both business administration and youth engagement at ĀKAU, Marci-Lee is currently in her final year of a Graduate Diploma of Business Transformation and Change. Marci-Lee is passionate about the taitamariki in her community and creating pathways for their future.

• Maia Ratana
  

  Architectural Assistant - BAS

  Descending from Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Ngāti Raukawa and Ngaa Rauru ki Tahi, Maia was born and raised in Rotorua. Based in the Auckland studio and currently smashing a Master of Architecture at Unitec, she is passionate about Māori housing and communities, rangatahi engagement and indigenous environmental practices.

• Matenga Ashby
  

  Youth Intern

  Matenga is from Oromahoe and a recent graduate of Northland College. With a strong interest in supporting the community’s growth and development Matenga brings fresh, creative ideas to the ĀKAU team.

• Tukaha Milne
  

  ‘He aha te mea nui o te ao, he tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata.’ This whakatauki underpins the values of Tukaha’s practice when working within the community. As a youth mentor, program developer and program facilitator he is often tasked with creating opportunities for whānau to engage in positive and proactive kaupapa. Tukaha works within a predominantly Māori community. Utilizing Māori values he is able to create forums that are safe and inclusive. Fluent in Te Reo and with extensive experience across research, project management and facilitation, Tukaha uses the process of whakawhanaunga as the basis for his work with whānau.

• Makareta Jahnke
  

  BMVA, GDipTchg(Secondary)

  A descendant of Ngapuhi, Ngati Porou and Tainui, Makareta is a communicator and teacher. She specialises in both traditional and contemporary Māori Art, Te Reo, and Māori Tikanga. The inspiration for Makareta’s work is to nurture our youth so that they stand strong as future leaders in this changing world.

• Mere Taylor-Tuiloma
  

  Programme Manager

  Mere has extensive experience throughout Te Taitokerau in the areas of Māori, youth and community development. She brings her passion and skills in Māori visual art, creativity and music to the ĀKAU kaupapa as an ĀKAU facilitator and programme manager.

• Gemma O’Brien
  

  Architectural Designer

  Gemma is an architectural designer who was raised and now currently lives in Kawakawa. Gemma will be working from the Kaikohe studio and will be predominantly working on our ever growing projects under the ĀKAU Studio. Gemma has a keen interest in housing and urban planning, and her master’s research project “Occupying the Edge - Christchurch Urban Housing”, has fuelled her passion for projects involving mixed-use developments. We’re stoked to have her in the ĀKAU whānau!