Te Whānau a Apanui, Ngāti Awa, Whakatōhea

Jolene George

Jolene George is an environmental scientist committed to improving the health of waterways in Aotearoa by weaving together mātauranga Māori and western science. A Kairangahau Matua on the Wai Ora Kāinga Ora project, and a Master’s candidate at the University of Waikato, Jolene was awarded a scholarship to investigate biological tohu of groundwater health alongside traditional Māori indicators. With over 20 years’ experience across industry and in Crown Research Institutes, Jolene brings strong technical capability shaped by her background as a laboratory technician, account manager, and technical manager. Raised in the coastal community of Ōmaio and educated at Turakina Māori Girls’ College, she grounds her mahi in tikanga, careful observation and deep respect for the taiao. Inspired by her late uncle, Wiremu Tāwhai (author of Living by the Moon), she is dedicated to supporting whānau and hapū to restore their waterways and strengthen kaitiakitanga.

Ngāti Maniapoto, Kūki Āirani - Mauke, Rarotonga & Tahiti

Luana Abraham

Luana Abraham is a highly organised and driven professional with a wealth of experience in leadership, administration, and mentorship across various sectors. With over 20 years in Early Childhood Education, she’s refined her skills in mentoring, coaching and empowering individuals. Her experience also encompasses business management, governance, and community leadership, including roles such as Treasurer for the Mauke School Board and President of the Mauke Sports Association in Rarotonga. She has effectively managed complex projects, coordinated large-scale events, and handled multiple responsibilities, all while remaining committed to community engagement and personal development. She’s deeply passionate and dedicated to supporting initiatives that enhance the well-being of Māori, Pasifika and hāpori.

Te Arawa, Pare-Hauraki, Pare-Waikato

Eruera Lee-Morgan

Eruera Lee-Morgan brings nearly two decades of experience working with iwi across Aotearoa on diverse projects, including Māori language revitalisation, broadcasting, education and social initiatives. With 30 years in media, and a recipient of multiple awards, Eruera is a skilled bilingual speaker and MC. He currently advises Te Taumata Arowai and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi on integrating mātauranga Māori and te ao Māori values into public transport, urban design and regulatory frameworks. A recent graduate of WaterNZ’s Te Mana o te Wai course, he was invited to present on Te Arawa tribal waters. As a former Principal Advisor for the Ministry of Māori Development, Eruera is well-versed in government processes, policy and reforms, including Te Maihi Karauna and the Māori Media Sector Shift review. Committed to excellence in te reo Māori me ngā tikanga, he strives to elevate cultural consciousness and achievements for whānau, hapū, iwi and Aotearoa.

Waikato Tainui, Ngāti Whawhakia, Ngāti Tūwharetoa

Escence Kingi Williams

Escence is a communications specialist with a background in environmental policy and a strong commitment to kaupapa Māori. She excels in crafting clear, culturally grounded messaging and fostering meaningful engagement with iwi Māori. With a passion for storytelling and values-driven communication, Escence integrates Te Ao Māori into her work to ensure authenticity and respect for cultural narratives. In her role as Mātanga Whakapā, Communications Specialist at Pūrangakura, she is dedicated to amplifying Māori research and strengthening connections between researchers, communities and stakeholders through impactful storytelling.

Ngāti Awa, Ngāi Tūhoe, Tūhourangi, Ngaiterangi, Ngāti Rangitihi, Ngāti Tamaterā

Ngāhuia Eruera

Ngāhuia Eruera is a dynamic and values-driven leader with over 25 years’ experience in business strategy, kaupapa Māori advancement, and executive management. With a proven track record across the sports, wānanga, and research sectors, she brings sharp operational acumen and a deep commitment to whānau wellbeing and marae development. A proud ‘pa’ girl, Ngāhuia currently serves on the boards of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa, Auckland Mataatua Society Inc and Te Tini o Toi Housing Trust. As a co-founding Director of Pūrangakura, she provides strategic leadership to ensure research is grounded in mātauranga Māori and driven by whānau, hapū and iwi. Her leadership is anchored in the principles of manaakitanga, kaitiakitanga and tino rangatiratanga, shaping enduring transformative impact across Aotearoa.

Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Toro, Te Popoto, Te Ngahengahe

Dr Jo Mane

Dr Jo Mane is located in the south of Kaitaia, within the Mangataiore valley, under the protection of Maungataniwha. As part of a whānau and hapū-led initiative, she contributed to the establishment of Tautoko FM, an iwi radio broadcaster in Te Tai Tokerau. Working alongside her kuia to broadcast matters of importance to their local community, provided her with a profound understanding of self-determination, where te reo Māori was placed at the forefront. This experience inspired her to pursue training in kaupapa Māori education and research, fostering her active interest in community-based kaupapa Māori research. In her role as Senior Researcher at Pūrangakura, Jo’s work focuses on supporting Māori-led initiatives that advance the aspirations of tino rangatiratanga and empower Māori communities to achieve their goals. 

Ngāti Hau, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Wai

Prof. Rau Hoskins

Prof. Rau Hoskins is a renowned practitioner, researcher and educator with over three decades of experience in Māori architecture, housing and cultural landscape design. Raised in Whangārei, he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architecture from the University of Auckland. Rau combines kaupapa Māori design principles with skills in iwi engagement, urban design, Māori heritage, marae and cultural consultancy. In addition to his role as a director of Pūrangakura, he is also a founding director of design TRIBE architects, an architectural practice which specialises in cultural, health, urban design, marae and educational projects. Rau served on the Auckland Council Urban Design Panel from 2012 to 2020 and contributes to major developments including the City Rail Link and Aotea Over Station Development. He was the founding Chairperson of Te Matapihi he Tirohanga mo te Iwi, a national Māori housing network, and co-created the award-winning Māori architecture series Whare Māori, which won Best Information Programme at the 2011 Aotearoa Film and Television Awards.

Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga

Jacqueline Paul

Jacqueline Paul is a researcher whose work explores the intersection of Indigenous knowledge, treaty relationships, and urban planning. Currently pursuing her doctorate at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Jacqueline’s research examines how different treaty contexts shape Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination in land and housing affairs. At Pūrangakura, she engages in research focused on improving housing and well-being outcomes for Māori communities.

Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Te Roro o te Rangi, Ngā Rauru, Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga

Maia Ratana

Maia Ratana is a researcher at Pūrangakura, a lecturer at Unitec School of Architecture, and a PhD candidate at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi. She is undertaking kaupapa Māori research in Māori housing, homelessness, rangatahi leadership and equity in tertiary education. Maia’s PhD explores ‘Kaupapa Rangatahi,’ a theory of change that challenges colonial norms and empowers rangatahi as leaders and change-makers. Maia is passionate about building relationships, centring rangatahi voices and fostering equitable, sustainable futures.

Taranaki, Ngāti Tara, Ngāti Haupoto

Dr Cat Mitchell