Ngāpuhi / Ngāti Hau, Ngāti Kaharau

For Aaron, Ānuku is about reconnecting people with the knowledge, practices, and relationships that have always existed between our people and te taiao.

As the founder of Ānuku, our rongoā practitioner, and wānanga facilitator, Aaron shares practical knowledge of rongoā māori while keeping tikanga and karakia at the heart of the kaupapa. His approach is grounded, hands-on, and accessible, encouraging people to slow down, observe, listen, and build a meaningful relationship with the ngahere and the taonga of Tāne Mahuta.

His daily mahi is shaped by a deep commitment to Te Reo Māori, Te Kaupapa o Te Kōhanga Reo, and rongoā māori — nurturing the next generation through language, tikanga, and mātauranga Māori.

Within Ānuku, Aaron helps guide the kaupapa through rongoā, wānanga, product creation, and cultural direction, supporting taonga and experiences that bring wellbeing, language, and connection to te taiao into everyday life.

Ngāpuhi / Ngāti Hau, Ngāti Kaharau

For Georgina, affectionately known as Mumma G, creativity is a way of connecting people with Te Reo Māori, mahi toi, hakapapa, and everyday expressions of culture.

As the creative force behind many of the Ānuku designs, products, and educational resources, she brings together storytelling, design, and learning to create taonga that encourage Te Reo Māori to be seen, spoken, and used within homes, workplaces, and communities.

Georgina is also continuing her own journey with Te Reo Māori and believes that every kupu learned strengthens our connection to identity, culture, and hakapapa.

Alongside her creative work, she manages much of the operational and administrative side of Ānuku, helping turn ideas into meaningful products, resources, and experiences that support the kaupapa to grow in a thoughtful and sustainable way.

Te Whānau a Rutaia, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, | Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Te Uri o Hau, Ngāi Tūhoe

For Karyn, connection sits at the heart of everything she does — connection to people, kaupapa, culture, and opportunity.

Passionate about Te ao Māori, Karyn has worked hard to reclaim Te Reo Māori for herself and her whānau. Now a fluent speaker, she brings a strong foundation in mātauranga Māori alongside more than 25 years of corporate leadership, sales, and supply chain experience across the Asia-Pacific region.

Her mahi has also included social services, community initiatives, and oranga-focused wānanga, where she has supported whānau to reconnect with whakapapa, tikanga, whenua, and te taiao through māra kai, hīkoi ngahere, and rongoā Māori.

Guided by the whakataukī, “Ka poipoia te kākano, kia puāwai” — When the seed is nurtured, it will bloom — Karyn supports cultural direction, business development, and partnerships within Ānuku, helping ensure the kaupapa remains grounded in tikanga Māori while continuing to grow in a meaningful and sustainable way.