TĀ MĀTOU MĪHANA / OUR MISSION
Our mission is to create a safe and supportive space to empower businesses and individuals to engage meaningfully, open their hearts and minds to te ao Maori through tailored support and advice in engagement, partnerships, te ao Māori and training.
We are here to guide you through each step of this journey, providing tailored support that enables growth, cultural understanding, and mutual respect.
DIrector and Co-founder
Teenaa koutou katoa
Ko Taupiri te Maunga
Ko Waikato te Awa
Ko Tainui te waka
Ko Waikato te iwi
Ko Ngaati Mahuta te hapuu
Ko Pootatau Te Wherowhero te tangata
Waikato Taniwharau
He piko he taniwha He piko he taniwha
Ko Bianca Rhind-Pokaia toku ingoa
Bianca is dedicated to empowering communities through culturally informed engagement, fostering connections, and supporting organisational wellbeing. Her passion lies in achieving impactful outcomes that help individuals and communities thrive. With her extensive experience in community engagement and strategic partnerships, Bianca brings valuable insights to Kākano Consulting’s mission of nurturing growth and purpose.
Specialties:
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Strategic community engagement and co-design
Stakeholder and relationship management
Capacity building and development
Project management with a focus on Māori wellbeing
Director and Co-founder
Tēnā koutou katoa
He uri ahau o Kōtirana, Ingarani, me Aerani.
Engari I whanau mai ahau ki Hiku o te hika
Ki Kaitaia
I tipu ake I raro I te haumarutanga o te maunga o Ruapehu
Kei Okirae, Whanganui
Ki te taha o te awa, Mangawhero,
Tēnā tātou kātoa
Kathy finds it an honour to be of service through making a meaningful impact through genuine partnership with iwi, hapū and Māori, bringing a deep understanding of te ao Māori to her work. With a strong commitment to cultural competency, Kathy provides strategic advice that supports organisations in creating respectful and genuine partnerships with Iwi, hapū, and Māori. Her expertise aligns with Kākano Consulting’s vision of fostering collaboration and growth.
Specialties:
Iwi and hapū engagement strategies
Cultural competency in te ao Māori
Strategic partnership development
Advisory in Māori engagement and tikanga practices
KO WAI MĀTOU / MEET THE TEAM
KO WAI MĀTOU / ABOUT US
At Kākano Consulting, we are passionate about Creating a safe and supportive space to empower businesses and individuals to partner and engage meaningfully, open their hearts and minds to te ao Maori/the Māori world through tailored support and advice in engagement, partnerships, te ao Māori and training.
Guided by our commitment to authentic partnership, we support businesses in navigating the complexities of cultural competency, fostering genuine partnerships and relationships that honour te ao Māori/the Māori world.
Ā MĀTOU TAKE / WHY WE EXIST
We believe in creating and growing better Aotearoa though helping people see the beauty and strength gained though genuine partnership and embracing te ao Māori/the Māori world, by being of service to our clients and te iwi Māori, and nurturing and growing those that work with us.
We believe that true success is more than just growth; it’s about purpose, connection, and positive impact. Kākano Consulting was founded to bridge the gap between Māori and non-Māori worlds in professional settings, empowering organisations to build strong and authentic partnerships and culturally respectful practices.
Whether you’re starting to develop partnerships and engagement with Māori/iwi/hapū, looking to deepen existing relationships, or start on your journey to embrace Te Ao Māori/the Māori world, we offer advice, guidance, strategies, insights and tools to make it a meaningful journey.
WHAKAPĀ MAI / CONTACT US
Schedule a Consultation
Ā MĀTOU HAERENGA / OUR JOURNEY
After years in government and the private sector, we saw the growing need for businesses to engage meaningfully with iwi, hapū, Māori and Te Ao Māori/The Māori world. Many organisations wanted to engage and connect with Māori and te ao Māori but lacked the knowledge, confidence, or resources to do so authentically. Recognising this gap, we felt a real sense of purpose in being able to support responsibility to step forward and offer culturally grounded guidance.
This vision led to the creation of Kākano Consulting. Kākano, meaning "seed" in te reo Māori, symbolises our commitment to planting seeds of partnership, knowledge and growth. We believe that nurturing strong relationships with Māori requires patience, respect, and a dedication to true partnership.
