ĀKAU ensure the community’s voice is heard from the start to finish of our projects. They help taitamariki recognise and harness the creativity of their tupuna by involving them in tangible projects that have real impact for them as individuals, their whānau and their community.

They are a multi-disciplinary, not-for-profit design studio based in Kaikohe. Most of their kaimahi are Māori and local to Te Taitokerau, and their mahi draws from their deep connections to their rohe and pūkenga (expertise) practised within Te Ao Māori.

This conversation follows through from their recent inclusion in Objectspace exhibition Pohewa Pāhewa. ĀKAU’s kaimahi will talk about how they connect whakapapa of people, place and cultural narrative to materialisation, changing the landscape around them and educating through a Māori lens – Tino Rangatiratanga.