Our Team

NGĀTI TŪWHARETOA, TE WHĀNAU-A-APANUI, NGĀPUHI

Jade is Tumu Whakarae (Managing Director) of Wikaira Consulting Limited. She has over twenty years experience working in senior manager and governance roles across the public sector, NGO, Iwi, tertiary education and research sectors.

She champions diversity and inclusion, leads Maori Strategies and draws from the latest research on cultural intelligence / cultural literacy to create new futures with people and organisations.

She is a fluent speaker of te reo Māori and proudly contributing to its revitalisation through teaching the public and business organisations.

Rina brings extensive experience across strategy, programme delivery and regional leadership, having worked across central government, regional government and consultancies. She has built a reputation for helping people transform complex information into action, and for seeing how all the pieces of the policy landscape interconnect.

Previously, Rina worked alongside the Regional Council Chief Executives through Te Uru Kahika, supporting the regional sector at a national level. In that role she was asked to review how the regional council special interest group network operates and to help shape what the future could look like for the sector. It is the kind of work that requires someone who can hold a system-wide view while being trusted by senior leaders across the country.

She has supported major national work programmes, including projects connected to freshwater management, climate resilience and water services delivery.

One such programme was the Jobs for Nature initiative following the COVID-19 economic recovery, where Rina coordinated councils across New Zealand to develop and submit shovel-ready environmental projects. This work contributed to the Government's $1.1 billion environmental investment package announced in Budget 2020. Managing a cross-council group of technical staff through implementation, she developed a strong understanding of how to move complex multi-party programmes from policy intent to on-the-ground delivery.

Rina was also involved in the multi-agency response to the Havelock North drinking water contamination, one of the most significant public health events in New Zealand's recent history. She provided secretariat and project management support to the Joint Working Group established by the Commission of Inquiry and led preparation of the White Paper examining gaps in drinking water safety information across the region. The recommendations she helped develop were subsequently adopted by the Inquiry Panel.

TANGATA TIRITI

Rebecca is a principal advisor and researcher with specialist expertise in policy analysis, resource management planning, and cultural engagement. With a professional background in health and a commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, she brings strong analytical capability and a disciplined, values-based approach to complex planning and policy work.

At Wikaira Consulting, Rebecca contributes to a diverse portfolio of projects including district plan development, freshwater policy implementation, and cultural values assessments. Her work supports iwi entities, local authorities, and central government agencies to integrate tangata whenua values and aspirations into planning and decision-making frameworks.

Known for her clarity, precision, and integrity, Rebecca produces high-quality outputs that reflect both technical excellence and cultural responsiveness.

TE WHĀNAU-A-APANUI

Willie is a trusted specialist in people, culture, and building cultural capability across sectors. Raised in a reo Māori speaking community, he brings a natural ease with the language and a grounded understanding of tikanga Māori to his work.

He leads the NZPI Planning for Māori Values courses and designs bespoke training for public and private organisations, helping teams move from awareness to action with confidence and care.

WAIKATO TAINUI, NGĀI TE RANGI, NGĀTI RANGINUI

Ida is a senior advisor with expertise in planning, policy development, and kaupapa Māori strategy. She brings extensive experience across local and central government, with a focus on delivering culturally grounded, technically robust outcomes.

She is a lead presenter in the NZPI Planning for Māori Values training programme, guiding professionals through Treaty-centred learning and supporting capability uplift across the planning sector. Ida also delivers bespoke training and advisory services to councils, government agencies, and private sector clients, with an emphasis on building confidence in engaging with Māori.

Ida contributes to a broad portfolio of projects across environmental, infrastructure, and education sectors. Her work is defined by strategic insight, clarity of thought, and a commitment to embedding mana whenua values in policy, planning, and delivery.