With a deep love for people and a genuine desire to give his absolute all to his mahi, Dr. Reuben Collier has always approached his work with the right intentions and a true commitment to understanding. It is this authenticity that has naturally drawn elders to open up to him, they believed in him—no matter who, where, or what the kaupapa may be.

For Reuben, his learning extended far beyond the classroom and beyond the pages of books, deeply immersed in te ao Māori.

Reflecting on his youth, Wiremu Doherty shares a story of simplicity and deep connection to the world around him, offering a profound glimpse into the resourcefulness that shaped his journey. As a hunter-gatherer even from his preschool years, these formative experiences laid the foundation for the remarkable insights he now weaves into the influential roles he holds today.

A life-altering accident could have ended Gordon Toi’s path as an artist, but instead, it deepened his passion for his art and turned his own pain into a vessel to help others navigate their own—particularly through the sacred and profound process of giving and receiving tā moko.

If there’s one thing that stands out about Gordon, it’s his evolution. He has grown into the rangatira he is today—not only through his own transformative life journey but also through his ability to recognise and appreciate growth in the world and people around him, and what that signifies for the future of his craft.