– Consultant
Te Kowhai is a skilled consultant and strategic advisor at Mather Solutions Limited, specialising in strategic organisational transformation, governance advisory, and Te Tiriti-led initiatives. Joining the firm in February 2023, Te Kowhai brings a wealth of experience from both Government and Private Sector roles, where she has driven strategic development, business implementation processes, and advising on Te Tiriti o Waitangi implementation at a governance and operational level. Additionally, she has played a key role in enhancing Māori cultural capability across organisational levels for a multitude of public entities, private entities and community organisations.
Proudly of Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Wai, Te Rarawa, and Te Waiariki, Ngāti Korora descent, Te Kowhai’s strong ties to Te Tai Tokerau inform their approach to community and iwi engagement. Fluent in te reo Māori and a second language learner, Te Kowhai is a deep advocate for the elevation of te reo Māori in all spaces and empowering rangatahi to be active change-makers and leaders within our communities. Te Kowhai is passionate about fostering environments where Māori values and Te Ao Māori are honoured and practiced meaningfully within Aotearoa and beyond.
Te Kowhai brings expertise in Iwi, Hapū, and community strategic development, offering strategic implementation support at all Organisation levels. Their services also include board governance and advisory support, Te Tiriti o Waitangi considerations, and ensuring its relevance and effective implementation, including risk identification. Te Kowhai specialises in developing professional development learning programs, and addressing Te Ao Māori perspectives in the integration of AI within business practices
Te Kowhai’s legal expertise, shaped by her experience at Raja & Tann – Vietnam, one of Southeast Asia’s largest law firms, and a Bachelor of Laws and Arts from Waipapa Taumata Rau (University of Auckland), is grounded in contemporary Māori legal issues, public policy, and constitutional reform. She also hold a diploma in Te Reo Māori fluency (Rūmaki Reo) from Te Wānanga Takiura o Ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori o Aotearoa, as well as Te Pōkairua Reo (Rūmaki) Kaupae 6 – New Zealand Diploma in Te Reo (Rumaki) Level 6 from Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.
In addition to their consulting work, Te Kowhai serves as a Trustee for the HĀ(History of Aotearoa) Charitable Trust Board, advocating for the importance of shared history and the empowerment of communities to embrace their futures guided by Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Te Kowhai is presently based in both the Mather Solutions Tāmaki Makaurau office and Te Tai Tokerau.