About Us
Ko Wai Mātou
About us
Aotahi delivers a range of community and economic development services. It was established in 2004 to provide practical and relevant tertiary education programmes and resources with an indigenous focus for the benefit of small business owners in Aotearoa.
Since then, the company has expanded its focus to offer services relating to business start-up and growth, employment, community support, rangatahi, iwi development, and project management.
Our Purpose
Whakaohooho i roto,
whakawhanake i waho
Our purpose statement guides the work we are involved in. The first part of the statement refers to awakening, empowering, educating, and inspiring individuals and small groups, whereas the second part of the statement refers to impact on communities, both local and national.
One way to interpret our purpose statement is:
“to carry out work that educates and empowers individuals and groups, to then have a wider impact on families and community.”
Ngā Kaimahi
Our Team
Aotahi operates with a small team of 8 to 12 employees, bringing on extra staff and contractors to meet project needs. Most team members are from Piopio or Te Kūiti, and work from one of our two locations on Rora Street, Te Kūiti, and some team members are based in Hamilton. The majority of the team affiliates with Ngāti Maniapoto.
Current team members include:
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Aroha Bidois Heartland Services Manager, Project Management and Support
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Dr Lee Churchman Programme Development, Project Support
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Dr Blair Nicholson Programme Development, Project Support
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Shayle Manawaiti Kaiwhakahaere Employment, Education
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Chalet Bidois Kaiwhakahaere Rangatahi
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Xavier Turner Kaiwhakahaere Rangatahi
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Maatje Te Amo Programme Management
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Raechael McLean Kaiwhakahaere Employment
Management
The Managing Director of Aotahi is Naomi Hughes. Originally from Piopio, Naomi is a founding director of Aotahi and has worked in the business since its incorporation in 2004. In addition to general management duties across all aspects of the business, Naomi leads contracts involving business support, programme development and delivery, and community projects.
Naomi holds a Masters in Management Studies, majoring in Economics, a Bachelor of Management Studies, majoring in Finance and Māori Resource Management, and a Diploma in Economics. Naomi is also a director of Around Twelve Limited, an online shoe business which caters for people with large feet.
Ō Mātou Uara
Our Values
Ngākau Pono
Integrity, honesty, reliability, and accountability
Whakatutukitanga
Achieving results and exceeding expectations
