Our Team
Neavin Broughton (Principal)
Taranaki, Ngā Ruahine, Ngāi Te Rangi, Te Ati Awa, Waikato Tainui
Neavin is a highly respected professional with extensive experience in Te Ao Māori and the provision of cultural advice and support. He has a wealth of experience in iwi / Māori development and a background working in the te reo Māori immersion and bilingual education sector.
Neavin is deeply committed to helping others. He works with many public, private, and not-for-profit organisations. His work has helped ensure organisations embrace and integrate elements of Te Ao Māori and Māori culture into the workplace, creating culturally safe and vibrant workspaces.
Perēri Hathaway (Principal)
Ngāti Wai, Ngāti Maniapoto, Waikato Tainui, Te Arawa
Perēri steers the vision and strategy at Manako, ensuring every experience is authentic, high-quality, and deeply grounded in kaupapa Māori. With over twenty-five years’ experience across public and private sectors, he is a leader in Māori cultural capability development, bi-cultural transformation, Māori strategic development, and organisational change.
Driven by whakapapa and whānau values, Perēri believes leadership comes from service, courage, and cultural authenticity. He carries forward the wisdom of his ancestors while supporting individuals and organisations to walk confidently in both worlds.
Dr Nikki Penetito-Hemara (Lead Consultant)
Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Kahungunu, Te Whakatōhea, Ngāti Porou
Dr Nikki Penetito-Hemara is a respected Māori academic, researcher, practitioner, and facilitator with extensive experience in mātauranga Māori, health and education. She is a leader in Māori wellbeing, kaupapa Māori research, culturally responsive practice, and Indigenous approaches to social innovation, helping organisations, individuals, and communities to build capability and create meaningful impact.
Nikki weaves ancestral knowledge with play and research to strengthen leadership and create opportunities for applied learning. Her work explores the transformative power of tākaro Māori in reconnecting people with place, culture, identity, and whakapapa. Through this work, she creates opportunities for people to deepen their understanding of who they are, where they come from, and the knowledge systems that can sustain collective wellbeing.
Julian Wilcox (Specialist Consultant)
Ngāpuhi, Te Awara
Julian Wilcox is a respected Māori broadcaster, journalist, facilitator, and communications specialist with extensive experience across media, public affairs, and Te Ao Māori. Renowned for his ability to communicate complex issues with authenticity and clarity, Julian has spent decades helping audiences engage with Māori perspectives, language, and contemporary issues in meaningful ways.
Alongside his broadcasting career, Julian has a PhD for his doctoral research exploring the traditions and legacy of Kupe, reflecting his commitment to advancing mātauranga Māori and historical understanding. He brings a unique blend of cultural knowledge, communication expertise, and lived experience, enabling organisations to build authentic relationships, strengthen cultural capability, and engage with confidence across Aotearoa New Zealand's diverse cultural landscape.
Te Kiwa Goddard (Specialist Consultant)
Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Tūwharetoa ki Te Tonga
Te Kiwa Goddard is a highly respected te reo Māori expert, educator, musician, and graduate of Te Panekiritanga o Te Reo Māori. With a lifelong connection to the language rooted in the Kōhanga Reo movement and Hato Pāora College, Te Kiwa brings deep linguistic authority and cultural grounding to his work.
Widely recognised for his mastery of te reo, Te Kiwa served as the lead translator for high-profile projects such as Shrek: Kātahi Te Korokē!, expertly adapting global stories for Aotearoa audiences while preserving authentic cultural nuance, idioms, and humour.
With deep expertise in te reo and tikanga Māori, Te Kiwa helps organisations champion bicultural leadership and weave the authentic heart of te ao Māori into their operational frameworks.