Ko Wai Mātou About Us
We partner with organisations and individuals to cultivate deep insight into their mātāpono (values), embedding these within ethical frameworks shaped by mātauranga and globally recognised principles of tikanga (ethics) and servant leadership. Through this values-based approach, we work with you to shape the development of purposeful action and strategy—empowering leaders and teams to become deeply rooted and globally transformative.
Te Kapa Our Team
Dr Hirini Kaa - Kaiwhakatō (Director)
(Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu, Rongowhakaata)
MA (1st Class Hons), PhD (Auckland)
Hirini leads Te Kākano with a vision for values-based, mātauranga-led leadership that is both culturally grounded and future-focused. A historian, educator, and strategist, he brings extensive experience across academia, iwi development, and public discourse. His work spans leadership development, digital infrastructure, and cultural storytelling, always guided by ethical practice and transformative intent. As a media commentator and author of the award-winning Te Hāhi Mihinare, Hirini contributes to national conversations on equity, identity, and justice. At Te Kākano Leadership Institute, he champions leadership that is relational, resilient, and rooted in mātauranga Māori. Read more here…Dr Hirini Kaa
Sam Vaoahi - Media Specialist
Sam Vaoahi is a dedicated Media Specialist and creative practitioner who brings a deep sense of purpose, precision, and wairua to every project. With a strong foundation in music, sound engineering, and media direction, Sam specialises in crafting audio experiences that are both technically polished and emotionally resonant.
Guided by his Christian faith and a heart for service, Sam approaches his mahi with integrity, humility, and a commitment to uplifting the voices of others. Whether producing kaupapa-driven podcasts, supporting organisations to share their stories, or mentoring emerging creatives, he brings clarity, warmth, and a collaborative spirit to the process.
At Te Kākano, Sam contributes his expertise to amplify narratives that inspire, connect, and transform. His work reflects a deep respect for storytelling as a vessel for leadership, identity, and collective growth.
Outside the studio, Sam enjoys composing music, exploring new creative tools, capturing moments through photography, and serving in his local church community.
Our Logo
Tō Tātou Tohu Our Logo
Designed by Imelda Morgan of Two Sparrows, our logo is broadly based on the tukutuku pattern Purapura Whetu. This ancestral design speaks to the stars being as multitudinous as the people, and the flourishing of creation. In our design it also speaks to the seeds in the earth, which when planted and nurtured, enable the growth of people and creation. It also speaks to the Ngati Porou kōrero of the relationship between the Mataariki star cluster and the kumara seeds and again the flourishing of people and of the earth. Read more about our vision here…
Our Process
We begin with mātāpono—
the seedbed of purpose,
where values are not spoken,
but lived.
From mātauranga,
we weave ethical frameworks
that honour indigenous wisdom
and global principles of servant leadership.
Each strand guides strategy,
each breath shapes action,
until leaders and teams
stand not just tall,
but transformative—
locally rooted, globally resonant
for the flourishing of the world.