He kura nā Rātā, He kura pūkaha
He kura nā Rātā, He kura pūkaha is grounded in the theme of whanaungatanga – the deep, intergenerational relationships that connect people, knowledge and purpose. This year’s wānanga is woven around three interconnected threads: the Past, Present and Future of Māori and engineering.
Past
The Past celebrates the legacy and ingenuity of our tupuna – recognising the whakapapa of Māori and engineers through mātauranga, historical achievements and enduring values.
Dr Te Kīpa Kēpa Brian Morgan Dist.FEngNZ
Keynote speaker
Dr Kēpa Morgan is Pou Hautū (Managing Director) for Mahi Maioro Professionals Limited and a Distinguished Fellow of Engineering New Zealand. Kēpa’s work creating and applying the Mauri Model was recognised by IPENZ in 2016 with a Supreme Technical Award for Engineering and The Furkert Award for Sustainability and Clean Technology. Kēpa has broad leadership and governance experience having held chief executive roles with three Iwi, interspersed with academic roles, including Associate Dean Māori for Engineering at the University of Auckland. Kēpa is a co-founder, inaugural president and life member of SPPEEx (South Pacific Professional Engineering Excellence) and a co-chair for Te Pūkenga Koeke ō Ngāti Pikiao.
Tyrone Newson
Panellist
Tyrone Newson, raised in Kaitaia and of Te Rarawa, Ngāti Kahu, and Tongan descent, has a passion for using engineering to benefit Māori and Pasifika communities. He co-founded SPIES in 1992, worked on Pacific Island engineering resources, and later became Director and CEO of Te Puna Topu o Hokianga Trust, co-founded SPPEEx and became a Chartered Professional Engineer. After a decade abroad, he led major projects for Te Rarawa, including a $3M water reservoir and a $29M subdivision. As CEO of Ngāti Awa Group Holdings, Tyrone continues to integrate engineering with Māori knowledge for community success.
Hirini Reedy
Panellist
Hirini Reedy is a Maori engineer and environmentalist who blends traditional Maori knowledge with a BE(Hons) in Civil Engineering and Masters of Philosophy. A former NZ Army Officer who served many roles including Captain Aide-de-Camp to The Governor-General and Advisor on establishing "Ngati Tumatauenga - The NZ Army Culture". A sole operator who integrates eco-spirituality, Maori intelligence and global analysis into his work both locally and overseas. He has walked the length of New Zealand and other significant walks for aroha, peace and planet.
Stan Schwalger
Panellist
No Hamoa ōna tūpuna. Kei Tāmaki Makaurau ia e noho ana. Ko Stan Schwalger ia. His ancestors are from Samoa, resides in Auckland. He is Stan Schwalger. Schooled in Samoa and trained in New Zealand, Stan is a Civil Infrastructure manager/engineer. He holds an NZCE from Carrington, a BE Civil from the University of Auckland (UoA) and a Diploma in Business Management from Deakin. Stan has over 35 years’ experience in the construction sector across New Zealand and the Pacific. Stan set up SPIES in 1992 and helped with the SPPEEx set up in 2003. He’s been on UniTec’s Industry Advisory Group since 2010 and with the Strategic Review Group for Pasifika in Construction for the last 4 years. He considers himself a facilitator of improving the well-being of Māori and Pasifika communities through projects delivered, but foremost in the support and mentoring of engineering students and graduates.
Present
The Present acknowledges Māori and engineers navigating today’s world – forging identity, practising tikanga and building strong bicultural partnerships that reflect collaboration and contemporary excellence.
Keoni Mahelona
Keynote speaker
Keoni Mahelona (kanaka ʻōiwi) is the driving force behind the development of digital technologies that aim to protect and promote indigenous languages and knowledge. He makes decisions every day to protect the sovereignty of platforms and data, from the digital and machine learning tools deployed for advanced applications to the storage and sharing of data in culturally appropriate and secure ways.
Teresa Poli
Keynote speaker
Teresa’s career has followed a non-traditional engineering path, and she is now working as a Māori Strategy Consultant at Aurecon. With a background in environmental engineering and a deep connection to her whakapapa and Te Ao Māori, she integrates these across engineering, education and infrastructure, passionately championing Māori outcomes and bringing others on the journey with her.
Daisy Redai
Panel moderator, Beca welcoming event
Daisy Redai is a Senior Project Manager at Beca, with experience across project, change and client management, and stakeholder engagement. She has previously worked as Programme Manager for Te Ahi Tūtata, Beca’s Māori Business Unit, and was involved in its early set up and development. Daisy also serves as Kaiwhatu (Iwi Relationship Manager) for Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, contributing to the cultural narrative for Te Paeroa o Te Kawau and collaborating to write the Beca Waiata. Participating in this mahi has been personally and professionally rewarding for Daisy; helping her reconnect with her whakapapa and reinforcing the importance of embedding te ao Māori perspectives within engineering practice.
Richard Templer, PhD, FEngNZ
Panellist
Richard Templer became Engineering New Zealand Chief Executive in November 2020, after being Chief Executive of Manawatū District Council. He is a Fellow, has a PhD in mechanical engineering and his career has included work for private companies, industry organisations, and central and local government. Richard is passionate about the vital role engineers and engineering have to play in New Zealand’s response to the challenges facing us. This includes engineering a better New Zealand in an economic, social, equitable and environmental sense. Engineering New Zealand is uniquely placed to both serve their members and make a difference for New Zealand.
Future
The Future looks ahead to the next generation – nurturing Māori talent, empowering future leaders in engineering and advancing indigenous innovation through new ways of thinking and doing. These are the waka yet to be carved.
Ratu Mataira
Keynote speaker
Ratu Mataira completed his PhD at the prestigious Robinson Research Institute where he discovered the novel application of OpenStar’s key enabling technology. From there, he founded New Zealand’s first fusion technology company and has built a team of over 60 engineers, scientists, and industry experts. OpenStar achieved first plasma with their current prototype designed which was built from scratch at their Wellington facility. The team aims to build the machines capable of providing grid scale electricity that is safe, abundant, and affordable.
Ian Taylor
Keynote speaker
Sir Ian Taylor CNZM is a trailblazing innovator and founder of Animation Research Ltd, a globally renowned sports graphics and tech company. Born in Kaeo and raised in Raupunga, he began as a TV presenter before launching Taylormade Media and transforming digital storytelling. A Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit and New Zealand Technology Hall of Fame inductee, Sir Ian inspires with his bold, solution-focused mindset – turning Covid's worldwide disruption into game-changing opportunity. He challenges norms with authenticity, vision, purpose and his signature "don't see why not!" thinking.
Amy Tea
Panellist
Amy Tea is the Director of ATCL Search, a bespoke executive search firm committed to placing exceptional leaders for social good across Aotearoa. With over two decades of experience in governance and executive recruitment, Amy brings deep insight into leadership capability, board composition, and the evolving demands of senior roles in impact-driven organisations. Her work spans appointments at board and executive levels, with a particular focus on transformation, equity, and bicultural partnership. Amy is committed to identifying talent that aligns with organisational purpose and long-term impact. Amy will share her perspective on the future of careers for Māori – drawing on her experience supporting kaupapa Māori organisations and her commitment to fostering leadership pathways.
