Kaupapa
Ko wai mātou?
“Ka tūtaki ai te wai ki te whenua.”
To us, ĀKAU is the place where water meets land.
To us, ĀKAU is the place where water meets land.
ĀKAU strives to empower whānau and tamariki to shape their future and their community through creativity and design.
We make sure the community’s voice is heard from the start to finish of our projects. We help tamariki recognise and harness the creativity of their tupuna by involving them in tangible projects that have real impact for taitamariki, their whānau and their community. We are a multi-disciplinary, not-for-profit design studio based in Kaikohe. Most of our kaimahi are māori and local to Te Taitokerau, and our mahi draws from the deep expertise in our rohe to uplift te ao māori.
We make sure the community’s voice is heard from the start to finish of our projects. We help tamariki recognise and harness the creativity of their tupuna by involving them in tangible projects that have real impact for taitamariki, their whānau and their community. We are a multi-disciplinary, not-for-profit design studio based in Kaikohe. Most of our kaimahi are māori and local to Te Taitokerau, and our mahi draws from the deep expertise in our rohe to uplift te ao māori.
Meet our Whānau
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.
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.
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 programs fresh, fun and productive.
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.
Pou Hāpai - Strategic Lead - Bachelor of Commerce & Administration
Jo Walsh is a producer and business consultant with extensive international experience in creative industries and institutions. Jo is working on building sustainable platforms and partnerships for ĀKAU through relationship management and business development. She thrives in a space of problem solving, collaboration and strategic thinking and enjoys decolonising institution and processes.
Pou Toi Māori - Māori Arts Designer & Facilitator - BMVA, GDipTchg(Secondary)
A descendant of Ngapuhi, Ngati Porou and Tainui, Makareta is an artist, weaver 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.
Landscape Architect - MLArch, MA
Marita is a landscape architect with a decade's worth of experience in Aotearoa. Marita brings public realm expertise to ĀKAU, helping turn taitamariki ideas into fun and engaging landscapes. With an ability to see the big picture and pull complex stories together, Marita has strong strategic masterplanning skills, which she puts to use for urban and rural hāpori in Te Taitokerau.
Architect & Project Manager - MArch (Professional)
Since graduating in 2015, Gwena has found herself working in architecture, project management, a villa renovation in Italy, on farms and milking goats! Always chasing adventure, questioning what it means to be tangata tiriti, with a passion for language, organisation, and creating positive change in the community, Gwena has found a home at ĀKAU in Kaikohe.
Designer
Symphony is an artist of many genres that uses contemporary tools and materials. Her design elements are based on Toi Maori and are often inspired by whakairo, ta moko and her exploration in graphic design. This has led her to explore her interests in history and natural materials within Aotearoa. Empowered by wāhine ringatoi nō Ngāpuhi, Symphony embraces her own Māori identity through her toi. These encounters have formed a stronger connection to her whenua and Papatuanuku through the use of customary materials and the investigation of kōkōwai, waitae and mahi aute.
