Tēnā koutou, we’re Te Kawau a Ngāti Whātua cultural agency. We provide advice and support to grow your connections, galvanise creative thresholds and strengthen your organisation’s potential
Ā Mātou Mahi
Our Services
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Providing meaningful iwi engagement support across Tāmaki Makaurau
Offering dedicated cultural advisory services and ongoing support
Developing tailored Māori strategies aligned with your organisation
Delivering specialised cultural leadership for project-specific needs
Translating your ideas and words into Te Reo Māori
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Gain deeper understanding of Ngāti Whātua and Tāmaki Makaurau
Learn to navigate the cultural landscape of Tāmaki Makaurau
Develop a stronger understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Celebrate Matariki and explore its cultural significance
Grow Te Reo capability for both practical and high-level contexts
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Cultural blessings of sites & buildings within Tāmaki Makaurau (Matariki, Te Wiki o te Reo)
Pōhiri management & support within Tāmaki Makaurau
Kaupapa Māori event management (Marae Visits, Matariki, Waitangi Day, Te Wiki o te Reo)
Cultural attaché to local, national and international events
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Develop conceptual whakapapa for architectural, landscape, and branding projects
Embed Ngāti Whātua and Tāmaki Makaurau narratives authentically
Strengthen projects by creating compelling pūrākau (storytelling)
Support creation of design and distinctive design languages
Ko Wai Mātou
Who We Are
Joe Pihema, Director
Ngāti Whātua ki Tāmaki
Culture shapes us. Connections strengthen us. Engagement moves us forward. Our waka is ready to take you on that journey.
Joe has over 25 years experience in the cultural and heritage sector and Māori education. He has held governance roles with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust, Tāmaki Tupuna Maunga Authority, and Te Haerewa, Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Art Gallery. He is a current member of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua and the Taumata-a-Iwi Auckland Museum. Joe is a tribal authority and spokesperson for Ngāti Whātua ki Tāmaki.
Huia Pihema, Director
Te Aitanga a Mahaki, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui
True growth happens when culture is understood, people are valued, and creativity is given space to fly – just like the kawau.
Huia is a cultural practitioner and tikanga expert. She has a background in broadcast editing and kaupapa Māori project management.
Huia is passionate about Māori performing arts and is the leader of the Ngāti Whātua kapa haka, Te Uri o Manumanu. Her other passion is producing and directing Māori theatre that elevates and honours the tribal stories of Ngāti Whātua.
He mea tautoko nā Te Kawau
Organisations we have supported
