Kate (Ngāti Airihi, Ngāti Kōtarani) is a Tangata Tiriti and a graduate of Te Tohu Paetahi ki Tauranga Moana. With a background in science and research, Kate has always been passionate about learning and inquiry. Since becoming a parent to children of Māori heritage, her focus has increasingly turned toward supporting the cultivation of a fairer and more equitable Aotearoa.

Kate believes that for this aspiration to become a reality, we must first strive to learn and understand tā te Māori titiro | the Māori worldview. Only then can we begin to walk in each other’s shoes and develop the understanding needed to build environments in which all people feel respected, valued, and enriched.

Guided by the principle “kia Māori te reo” (make the language Māori), Kate is passionate about supporting others to learn te reo Māori alongside cultural competency and cultural safety, recognising that these elements are deeply interconnected. Through Tiriti Reo she works to create learning spaces that are supportive, practical, and grounded in real-world application, helping people feel confident engaging with te reo and Te Ao Māori in their workplaces and everyday lives.

Kate’s particular strength lies in her ability to teach in a way that welcomes all tangata | people. Known for creating inclusive, warm, and encouraging environments, she helps learners move beyond hesitation and build confidence in both language and cultural understanding.

Matt (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Mamoe, Waitaha) is a Māori doctor with a passion for Te Reo Māori. He sees language as a gateway into Te Ao Māori | the Māori world, and believes this understanding is fundamental to becoming a well-rounded, culturally safe clinician. Matt learned te reo through Te Ataarangi, a total immersion teaching method originating from Hawai‘i, and lives by the whakataukī: “Ko te reo kia rere ka tika, ko te reo kia mū tē tika” — the spoken language can be corrected; the language that remains silent cannot.

Through his medical training and clinical career, Matt has developed a strong interest in teaching and education, and is a confident and engaging speaker. After witnessing first-hand the persistent inequities experienced by Māori within the health system, he became committed to creating change by empowering clinicians with the knowledge and practical skills needed to provide culturally safe care.

Matt works as a General Physician and Haematologist at Tauranga Hospital, where he also serves as the Clinical Equity Lead. Beyond his clinical work, he contributes nationally and internationally to Māori health leadership. He volunteers as Chair of the Māori Health Committee for the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, is a member of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Māori Health and Workforce Steering Committee for the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia, and previously served on Te Whiri Kaha (the National Māori Clinical Senate).

Matt is a frequent speaker at Grand Rounds and international conferences on cultural competency and cultural safety. He has presented to Parliament on several occasions and has been featured on podcasts and television discussing health equity and culturally safe healthcare practice.

Matt believes culturally safe healthcare begins with humility, curiosity, and a willingness to learn from the communities we serve. Through his clinical work, teaching, and advocacy, he continues to support clinicians to provide care that is respectful, reflective, and equitable for all.

Mā te huruhuru ka rere te manu

Only with feathers can a bird fly