Kō Ruahine te Maunga
Kō Ngaruroro te Awa
Kō Aotea rāua kō Takitimu ngā Waka
Kō Te Atiawa, Ngāti Kahungunu me Ngāti Maniapoto ngā Iwi,
Kō Waiwhetu te Marae

Awatea is a Māori designer and tangata whenua to Te whanganui-a-tara who is passionate about cultural and wairua-centred design thinking and strategy. He has an abundance of education and life experience in the te ao Māori space. From attending kōhanga reo and a kura kaupapa Māori in Te whanganui-a-tara to creating his own tool to teach people te reo, tikanga, and mātauranga Māori as part of his final year degree project.  

At Springload, Awatea has brought his calm, creative, and considerate design practice to projects for the Ministry of Health and Kōtuia ngā Kete (New Zealand Museums). Previously, he’s worked at Octave researching and reimagining a health system for Māori and Pasifika where they can feel listened to and looked after. He’s also shaped a conservation campaign for Greater Wellington at VMLY&R, and worked on te ao Māori projects and initiatives for Vaka Interactiv. 

Awatea’s passions include surfing, hunting for kai moana, and sharing music with people. Catch him on his radio show Uranga (Mouthfull radio) every Sunday from 6-8, or playing shows around Te Whanganui-a-tara alongside Moss Grenfell.