When you uplift a wāhine, you uplift her whānau, her community, and the generations that follow.

Growing up next to the moana, and being a little haututu amongst the pipi beds at Mahinepua, it was probably inevitable that I would end up pursuing a Masters degree in Marine Science.

As a young Māori teen māmā, my research explored benthic ecosystem resilience – disturbance recovery dynamics – and how climate change could affect pipi, along with many other organisms and processes that exist within that ecosystem. One of the things that became clear through that work was this: resilience in the benthic ecosystem is context specific. Recovery depends on the conditions surrounding it.

After a separation and divorce, my focus shifted from the marine ecosystem to the human ecosystem. Not surprisingly, the same principle applies. The resilience of people, whānau, and communities is also context specific. In ecology, recovery cannot occur when disturbance continues, and we need bioturbation – bioturbators oxygenating, breathing life into ecosystems. Similarly, whānau and communities cannot flourish while structural and systemic disadvantage remain embedded within the systems around them, and we need people, communities, and kaupapa that breathe life in order for our collective wellbeing.

Not long after Covid, Māia Collective was founded. A kaupapa Māori charity that is a wellbeing ecosystem. Our kaupapa is unapologetically mana-centred, He Whakaputanga and Te Tiriti led, and exists to perpetuate empowerment and intergenerational transformation.

From pipi to people, the mahi is the same. We exist within an ecosystem that is interconnected and we all have a part to play in the collective wellbeing of generations now and yet to come. Let's breathe life into the nation by returning to systems that have worked across generations, collaborating, and leaving people thinking about their mana, not our own.

He hakatauaki nā Whaea Christina Te Namu (Ngāpuhi): "E tū māia i tō mana."

Aayla is of Samoan, Chinese and German whakapapa and was born and raised in South Auckland. She and her tāne have three beautiful tamariki together.

Aayla became a teen mum, and her life experiences have shaped her passion for supporting young people, whānau, and communities to thrive.

She studied business, majoring in strategy, and holds qualifications in Project management, communications and Te Reo me ona Tikanga Māori. Aayla works as Programme Manager at Māia and also as a freelance consultant across business, education and community development sectors. Alongside her mahi, she also holds a number of leadership roles across community, sport, and church spaces.

Outside of mahi, you'll usually find Aayla at the netball courts, by the moana or spending time with whānau and friends.

Nicola is of Ngāti Tapuika whakapapa. Grounded in the strength of her whānau and the values passed down through generations, she continues to walk a path that reflects connection, resilience, and growth.

Nicola is a qualified accountant, having completed a Bachelor of Accounting. Through her mahi, she brings a strong sense of dedication, integrity, and care, supporting individuals and whānau to build financial confidence and stability. She is passionate about creating positive outcomes and empowering others through her knowledge and skills.

Nicola continues to grow her mātauranga and professional journey, with the aspiration to make a meaningful difference for her whānau and wider community. She is committed to ongoing learning and is proud to be on her journey of development and purpose.