About Us

Mō Mātou

At Ako Academy, we're all about the journey of teaching and learning—after all, the Māori word 'Ako' captures this beautiful exchange of knowledge.

We're passionate about lighting the way for cultural professional development, lifting confidence, knowledge, and understanding through our engaging programs. We ensure a fun, safe learning environment where participants can confidently immerse themselves in Te Reo and Te Ao Māori. With Ako Academy, your cultural competency journey is not just educational, but also empowering and enjoyable.

Our Values

Manaakitanga: We value genuine relationships and conduct ourselves in a way that mutually enhances the mana of ourselves and that of others

Pūkengatanga: We are qualified and experienced kaiako that remain committed to our ongoing development and the pursuit of excellence

Rangatiratanga: We hold ourselves accountable to our values and conduct ourselves with responsibility, integrity and humility

Kotahitanga: We value inclusivity, collaboration and unity and are inspired to achieve collective success

Our Vision

We aspire to significantly influence an Aotearoa that recognises, understands, and upholds the importance of Te Ao Māori, both now and into the future.

Our Mission

Ako Academy is committed to creating mana-enhancing learning environments and providing high-quality opportunities for learning about and engaging with Te Ao Māori.

Meet the team

Meet our Ako team: a powerhouse of talented, qualified, and experienced wāhine Māori! They bring their passion for education and Te Ao Māori to life in engaging, transformative learning experiences, establishing Ako Academy as a unique leader in cultural education in Aotearoa.

Natalia Wi

Kaitohu | Director
Kaiako | Teacher
BA/BTeach

Nei rā te uri o Te Aupōuri, Ngāti Kurī, Ngāti Pōrou e mihi ana!

My name is Natalia Wi. I am a descendant of the Ngāti Pōrou, Te Aupouri, and Ngāti Kuri iwi (tribes).

I have a background in education specialising in curriculum development and strategy design. I have worked with learners of all ages and have experience in both mainstream and Kura Kaupapa Māori (total immersion) environments.

I’m extremely passionate about helping more people learn about Te Ao Māori and take great joy in supporting individuals and organisation grow cultural confidence and capability.

Waimahana Aahuru

Kaiāwhina Matua | EA

Mauri ora ki a koutou katoa! He uri ahau nō ngā hau e whā - Te Aupōuri, Ngāti Kurī, Ngāti Kahungunu, Tūhoe, Ngāti Raukawa ki te tonga, Te Āti Awa, Ngāti Toa, me Taranaki whānui. Ko Waimahana Aahuru tōku ingoa.

I have been fortunate enough to have been raised immersed in Te Reo Māori from birth. My role at Ako is to provide support to the kaiako (teachers) and in the operations of the business. I am very passionate about working for a Māori led organisation and supporting our team to do the amazing work that they do!

Jasmine Jones

Kaiako / Teacher
Supervisor
BEd

Ko Jasmine Jones tōku ingoa. He uri ahau nō Tainui, Ngāruahinerangi, Ngāti Ruanui, Tongareva, Ingarangi ngā iwi.

My name is Jasmine Jones and I whakapapa back to Tainui and Aotea waka, England and to the beautiful shores of the Cook Islands. I currently reside under the protection of Maunga Taranaki here in Pātea. It's beautiful to be reconnecting back to my Whakapapa here and to also live on my whenua.

I am a passionate educator, community activator, writer, creative, professional supervisor and mum. As a second language learner of the reo, I understand how it feels to be disconnected to your culture; I also know how important it is to be able to have access to it. I look forward to supporting people from all walks of life to develop their understandings of te reo Māori me ona Tikanga.

Loz Wootton

Kaihanga Akoranga Matihiko | Digital Learning Designer

Loz is dedicated to building innovative and human centric learning solutions to uplift learners of te ao Māori.

Loz is a Tangata Tiriti Pākehā who was raised in Te Waipounamu. She is raising her Māori son and honouring te ao Māori in all areas of their lives.

Abby Hauraki

Kaiako | Teacher
LLB

Abby Hauraki is of Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Porou descent.

She is an Associate at Kāhui Legal and specialises in Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Māori land law, Trust law and governance and mātauranga Māori protection and recognition.

Abby is also a consultant who teaches te reo Māori and tikanga Māori. She is raising her 3 year-old son Te Hono ki Īhipa with te reo Māori as his first language.

Kelly Te Paa

Kaiako | Teacher
MA Education

Ki te taha o tōku Pāpā, he uri tēnei nō Ngāpuhi, Te Roroa me Ngāti Whātua ki Kaipara. Ki te taha o tōku Māmā, he Pākehā ahau. Nō Kōtirana ōku tupuna.

My name is Kelly Te Paa and I am from Ngāpuhi, Te Roroa and Ngāti Whātua ki Kaipara with Scottish ancestry.

I am currently a lecturer for the Faculty of Education at Te Herenga Waka, Victoria University of Wellington. I teach te reo Māori across the undergraduate and postgraduate initial teacher education programmes.

I am a second language learner and have had the privilege of being taught by many amazing kaiako across the country. I am passionate about education and how education can enhance our lived experiences and create connections between all of us as New Zealanders.