Every business has a story
Our story
Amongst Covid lockdowns, Māia Co-founders Mihi Blake and Bee Stevenson bonded over their shared values and decided to scale their impact together. By volunteering their communications expertise, they helped brave changemakers navigate a tough time.
Filling a gap for conscious communications in Aotearoa, Māia was born. As our impact grew, so did our team and client whānau.
Today, Māia has a core team of nine based in our Ponsonby studio in Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland and working with clients across Aotearoa. We have six awards under our belt, two music festivals, ten independent artists launched, and five movements affecting change at Government level. And we’re just getting started.
Māia brings a wealth of expertise and years of experience in media relations, including kaimahi who are former reporters themselves. Access to this knowledge and experience gives us an understanding of how the media in Aotearoa operates.
The Māia difference is the combination of professionals who are not only skilled in communications but also deeply knowledgeable in te ao Māori. The expertise Māia holds in this area ensures that our mahi respects and incorporates Māori perspectives, values, and principles.
Our kaimahi
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Ngāti Tuwharetoa, Ngai Tūhoe, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Awa
Mihi knows her way around NZ’s media landscape, having worked across all traditional and new media platforms. She spent 15 years in NZ’s largest media companies integrating campaigns across digital, TV, radio and print before moving to specialise in communications.
Mihi applies her media strategy know-how and long term connections in the industry to ensure maximum impact for our kaupapa.
Mihi has a passion for supporting and empowering businesses and enterprises who have bold aspirations and a genuine desire to change their world.
She specialises in advising companies to build diversity into the heart of their business and has a particular interest in helping to build cultural capability in organisations.
Based in Tāmaki Makaurau, Mihi holds close connections in te ao Māori and alongside Noenoe guides Māori world view in the Māia team.
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Waikato, Ngāti Māhuta, Ngāti Pūkenga, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti MāhangaSenior Communications Manager / Kaihautū - Pou Ahurea Māori
Noe worked in the media industry before joining Māia, where she gained skills in presenting, translating, directing, producing, content development and consulting – with a focus on progressing kaupapa Māori in that space. Her path has seen her working with large organisations and smaller companies that aim to build the cultural capacity of their business.
At Māia Noe is the kaihautū for the Pou Ahurea Māori and marries her growing skills in traditional communications with her knowledge of all Te Ao Māori She has a passion for helping clients create truly integrated communication strategies that consider both business and kaupapa.
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Originally from the deep south, Tilly’s grandparents brought tulip farming to Aotearoa. After a 5 year-stint studying and working in the capital Tilly has made her way north and is now based in our Tāmaki Makaurau office.
She joined Māia in 2021 after completing her Bachelor of Communication degree at Massey University, where she received a Massey Scholar Award, a Dean’s List Award, and the PRINZ Prize in Public Relations Management. During her study, she gained top student awards in seven different courses.
Tilly’s star continued to rise quickly at Māia - she’s been published multiple times in the NZ media, she was behind the #GlowUpShowUp campaign for Rare Disorders and she spearheaded the 2021 launch of the award-winning MindTheGap a pay equity campaign.
She has also developed a proven formula for promotional success with recording artists, which is now used with all our independent artists.
Her ability to craft a brand narrative, crack a strategy or explode a story has led to real change for a number of the kaupapa we support. Also she’s a really nice human!
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Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Kahu
Senior Communications Manager - Pou Ahurea Māori
With a passion for uplifting communities and bridging communication gaps, Makere is an invaluable asset to our Māia whānau and the wider community. Makere's expertise in mana whenua engagement, strategic campaigns, and project communications is evident in her diverse portfolio, including award-winning campaigns for te reo Māori.
Graduating with a Bachelor of Communications Studies from AUT, Makere’s perspective and drive are shaped by her roots in South Auckland, her education at Kōhanga Reo and Kura Māori, and her Ngāti Tūwharetoa and Ngāti Kahu heritage.
From coordinating significant events like the 50-year celebration of the Māori Language Petition at Parliament to serving as a shareholder in a Māori-owned freight forwarding company, Makere's journey is marked by a dedication to amplifying Māori voices. As a PRINZ board member, she advocates for Te Tiriti principles in her work, striving to empower Māori practitioners and enhance Māori engagement.
Outside of mahi Makere in the winter you will find Makere cheering from a camping chair on the sideline of her partner’s league matches.
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Phil is our Campaign Manager at Māia and brings a massive punch to our conscious commerce and music and entertainment pou.
A highly experienced senior music and entertainment industry consultant, Phil has over 25 years experience working within both the highly competitive domestic and international music markets. He most recently spent 12 successful years heading Warner Music New Zealand. Previously, Phil held long and successful senior level positions in sales, marketing, publicity and promotion with Universal Music, Sony Music and EMI.
At Māia, Phil helps to onboard new clients across all pou and project manages social media campaigns and activations. He also works on building strategies, especially for our whānau of recording artists.
Phil is also involved in the building of Māia Music, our platform for independent artists in Aotearoa.
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Driven by a passion for positive social change, Libbie is committed to utilising communication as a tool for advocacy. Libbie completed their Bachelor's Degree in Communications with distinction from Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato in 2023. Their academic journey was marked by outstanding achievements, leading to a remarkable GPA of 8.7, a testament to their dedication and skill in all things communications.
With a major in public relations and a minor in public policy, they possess a unique perspective on effecting meaningful change. At Māia, Libbie has found a perfect alignment of values and purpose, allowing them to continue their mission of driving social change through communications, with a special interest in kaupapa that benefit all New Zealanders through Māori system approaches.
From Kirikiriroa, Hamilton, Libbie's interests outside of work include football, theatre, and being a ‘history nerd’. They joined the Māia whānau in November 2023 and quickly blew us away with their capacity, capability and intellect. Surrounded by like-minded individuals, Libbie says they are constantly inspired to grow, learn, and become the best Te Tiriti partner they can be.
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Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Wai, Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Te Ātihaunui-a-Pāpārangi
Junior Communications Advisor
Awa brings the Gen Z vibes to our tari and keeps a lot of balls in the air both inside and outside Māia life. Her journey is rooted in her love for hauora and korikori tinana. A graduate of Ngā Puna o Waiōrea, a Te Reo Māori immerse kura, Awanui’s commitment to kaupapa Māori runs deep.
Film is Awa’s first love and her involvement in the industry keeps her busy. Luckily for us, she also applies her creativity and storytelling talents to kaupapa we promote. Joining Māia in 2023, Awanui quickly embraced the world of communications and marketing, using her te reo skills to enrich the team's work on kaupapa Māori. She also provides invaluable insight into emerging trends and platforms where rangatahi are communicating, helping ensure our strategies remain relevant and effective.
Awanui's dedication to helping others and eagerness to learn have already made her an invaluable asset to our Māia whānau. Outside of work, she cherishes moments with whānau and friends, plays competitive tags, practises kapa haka and aspires to travel the world with personal projects in film or business.
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Mary-Kate Coles is our dedicated Studio Manager, whose support behind the scenes is integral to the well-being of our Māia whānau. With a varied background in roles helping others succeed, spanning teaching, event management, and nurturing start-up businesses, Mary-Kate now brings her wealth of knowledge to support the co-directors and the team.
Having sold her successful business, Elderberry + Kate, in Wellington's CBD, Mary-Kate transitioned into client success management for skincare products, mentoring salon clinic owners and managing boutique Airbnb apartments. Prior to this, she served as the Campus Manager for Elite International School of Beauty and Spa Therapy for nine years, honing her skills in leadership, training, and team motivation.
Outside of work, Mary-Kate finds joy in whānau time, pilates, yoga, golf, and pursuing her passion for music and studying change management.
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Georgina brings over a decade of experience in corporate communications, crisis management and customer relations across the private and public sectors.
Prior to this Georgina worked for a decade as a reporter in some of New Zealand's top media organisations, including TVNZ and RNZ. Her senior perspective and expertise allow her to navigate the changing media environment in Aotearoa with bravery while prioritising stakeholder management and reputation.
Georgina works across our clients and is a key mentor of developing kaimahi.
Georgina is passionate about uplifting other wahine to support their success and fostering positive change.
Originally from Wellington, Georgina is based in the Bay of Plenty.
Awards & Recognitions
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2022 – SILVER Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Ngāti Kuri Hīkoito100
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2022 – SILVER Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Ngāti Kuri Hīkoito100
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2023 – GOLD Government Relations and Public Affairs: MindTheGap
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2022 – FINALIST Ngāti Kuri: HīkoiTo100
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2023 – FINALIST MWDI Māori Business Women's Awards: Mihi Blake
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2022 – FINALIST: Emerging Gold Services
Whether you’re a changemaker, a purpose-led business, or a leader ready to leave a legacy, we’re here to help you fulfil your purpose. Are you ready to be māia?