Pele (Ngāi Tahu/Kāi Tahu) is an expert in Strength and Conditioning Coaching with over 16 years of experience in high-performance sport, wellbeing, health, and functional fitness. As a former Functional Fitness Gym Owner, Pele has guided athletes who have advanced to elite levels in the NRL, Super Rugby and Netball. He is also a mental health advocate and dedicated to creating holistic wellbeing programs that integrate high-performance methodologies, mental fitness, and sport-specific training. Pele’s approach focuses on unlocking potential, and developing athletes technically, physically and mentally for long-term success.

Maraki (Ngāi Tahu/Kāi Tahu) has extensive experience in high-performance environments, having represented New Zealand in Rugby League, Touch Rugby, and Basketball. Now focusing on helping young people navigate the sporting world, he shares his lived experience to inspire and mentor the next generation both on and off the field. Passionate about content creation, Maraki plans to share his insights through the Performnz IQ platform and its social channels. Stay connected as he shares his journey, offering inspiration and guidance through his love of sport and creative passions.

“He mokopuna tenei o Ngati Kahungunu ko Hira Nathan toku ingoa.”

Hira (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga) is the founder of Makachilli, a protien ice block for post workout recovery. Hira is an electrical engineer based in Tāmaki Makaurau by trade. He is also a writer, property investor, public speaker, his own chilli sauce, and an all round dabbler in everything. He is passionate about all things wellness from exercise to meditation and everything in between.

Lui Hellesoe (Tūhoe) is the founder of KiwiData, a kaupapa Māori AI company focused on building tech that reflects the people it serves. Of Tūhoe and Sāmoan descent, Lui has a background in enterprise data systems, AI, and kaupapa Māori research. He’s worked across education, health, and research to design tools that work in both te reo Māori and English. With a Master’s in Computer Information Science and a deep commitment to closing the AI divide, Lui is passionate about uplifting Māori and Pacific communities through technology that creates space, not takes it.

My name is Koro Carman (Ngāpuhi) from the Hokianga. I’ve worked on tourism startups and currently consult for a global wellness and education organisation. I have a deep passion for environmental stewardship and am a proud father to a teenage daughter who plans to study Science at University. With over 30 years of experience in environmental, cultural, and community tourism development, I have worked on numerous impactful initiatives. In 2009, I was part of a team that facilitated the world’s first ‘Union of Ancient Trees’ agreement, a project aimed at fostering meaningful connections between cultures, communities, and natural environments.

My name is Simon Tanner. Originally from Bath in the UK, I relocated to Aotearoa, New Zealand in 2006 and have proudly called Kaikohe home for the past eight years. I have two adult sons living in Auckland—one working as a lawyer and the other an engineer. With a strong background in project management, I’m passionate about delivering meaningful outcomes for communities. My experience includes facilitating successful partnerships between Crown Forestry, silviculture contractors, and the Department of Corrections. I’ve also led projects alongside government agencies and Crown Research Institutes, including the development of the oil extraction facility at Ngawha.

Rawinia Rimene (Whakatōhea) is the Founder and Director of Girl Native and has qualifications and background in Business Management, Projecg Management, Fashion and experience in skincare formulation, matauranga Māori, Beauty and Retail.

Justin Leelo is the co-founder of Girl Native and part of the advisory team. He has been
involved with Girl Native since inception and plays a major part in advisory for store fitouts, financials and business development. He is an electrician by trade and own an all-trades company in Wellington.

Tina Wickliffe (Ngāti Porou) is an award-winning journalist, director, and producer with a career spanning more than two decades across Māori media and mainstream broadcasting. A graduate of Te Panekiretanga o te Reo, Tina brings depth, precision, and cultural integrity to every project she leads. She is the founder of Tiki Media and the creator of Aro, a wellness app for wāhine that weaves Indigenous knowledge with modern tools for emotional and spiritual clarity.

Léon Bristow (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Manu), born in France, raised in Aotearoa, studied in Wellington, Auckland, and New York. A champion of DE+I and indigenous voices, he is the Founder and Director of BEINGS – a social enterprise empowering diversity in media. As an Art Director, Léon worked on international advertising campaigns in Barcelona before returning home in 2022. In 2023 he was recognised as 4th best Art Director in the world at the prestigious Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Léon’s personal background sets him apart professionally, using his unique perspective as a vehicle for meaningful change.

I‘m Tamara Kirwan (Ngāti Tūwharetoa), a founder & brand ambassador for Mauriora Kombucha. I’m the maker, taster, and meet-and-greet person that introduces our products to interested people, customers and buyers. I worked for 17 years at Canterbury University as a Māori Education support person. This is when my role lead me to learn te reo Māori me ona tikanga. Being exposed and embraced by significant educators and professionals within a kaupapa Māori community was empowering and inspiring.

Kia ora, ko Julian Tamati Kirwan (Ngāti Tūwharetoa) ahau, I have taken up the position of Business Development at Mauriora Kombucha. I studied Business Management at University and have spent the last twenty two years living overseas, with the last 13 years primarily based in Amsterdam where I ran two restaurants called Bakers & Roasters with my Business Partner. I joined the whānau at Mauriora to contribute to growth and development utilising my overseas knowledge and experiences and also to reconnect with my Māoritanga.

Nei te mihi maioha ki a koutou, ko Keela Atkinson (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga) toku ingoa. Over the last 20 years I have been fortunate to work in the area of Māori development, within iwi, private sector and government. I have been involved in a range of kaupapa and thrive in a team environment. My role within Mauriora is to support the development of our communications, engagement and customer database. Establish systems that will provide data and information to support the expansion and growth of Mauriora kombucha.

Oliver (Tūhourangi), Co-Founder of Plunge Lab, is an accountant by trade and an entrepreneur at heart. He oversees accounting and marketing for the pakihi, with a focus on building smart efficiencies to support scalable growth.

Teancum (Ngāti Porou) is born and raised Gisborne. He moved to Auckland for rugby opportunities. By trade he is a qualified builder with over 10 years in construction and trade. He is also a dedicated partner and father.

 Jenny (Ngāti Maniapoto) has 20 years experience in international trading and is an avid entrepreneur. As the Co-founder of Takesfour, Jenny is most focused on the development of Takesfour products toward worldwide markets. 

Renee’s (Ngāti Pikiao) background is as a barrister in Tauranga.