Every business has a story
Our story
Amongst Covid lockdowns, Māia Co-founders Mihi Blake and Bee Stevenson bonded over their shared values and decided to scale their impact together. By volunteering their communications expertise, they helped brave changemakers navigate a tough time.
Filling a gap for conscious communications in Aotearoa, Māia was born. As our impact grew, so did our team and client whānau.
Today, Māia has a core team of nine based in our Ponsonby studio in Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland and working with clients across Aotearoa. We have six awards under our belt, two music festivals, ten independent artists launched, and five movements affecting change at Government level. And we’re just getting started.
Māia brings a wealth of expertise and years of experience in media relations, including kaimahi who are former reporters themselves. Access to this knowledge and experience gives us an understanding of how the media in Aotearoa operates.
The Māia difference is the combination of professionals who are not only skilled in communications but also deeply knowledgeable in te ao Māori. The expertise Māia holds in this area ensures that our mahi respects and incorporates Māori perspectives, values, and principles.
Our kaimahi
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Ngāti Tuwharetoa, Ngai Tūhoe, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Awa
Mihi knows her way around NZ’s media landscape, having worked across all traditional and new media platforms. She spent 15 years in NZ’s largest media companies integrating campaigns across digital, TV, radio and print before moving to specialise in communications.
Mihi applies her media strategy know-how and long term connections in the industry to ensure maximum impact for our kaupapa.
Mihi has a passion for supporting and empowering businesses and enterprises who have bold aspirations and a genuine desire to change their world.
She specialises in advising companies to build diversity into the heart of their business and has a particular interest in helping to build cultural capability in organisations.
Based in Tāmaki Makaurau, Mihi holds close connections in te ao Māori and alongside Noenoe guides Māori world view in the Māia team.
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Phil is our Campaign Manager at Māia and brings a massive punch to our conscious commerce and music and entertainment pou.
A highly experienced senior music and entertainment industry consultant, Phil has over 25 years experience working within both the highly competitive domestic and international music markets. He most recently spent 12 successful years heading Warner Music New Zealand. Previously, Phil held long and successful senior level positions in sales, marketing, publicity and promotion with Universal Music, Sony Music and EMI.
At Māia, Phil helps to onboard new clients across all pou and project manages social media campaigns and activations. He also works on building strategies, especially for our whānau of recording artists.
Phil is also involved in the building of Māia Music, our platform for independent artists in Aotearoa.
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Driven by a passion for positive social change, Libbie is committed to utilising communication as a tool for advocacy. Libbie completed their Bachelor's Degree in Communications with distinction from Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato in 2023. Their academic journey was marked by outstanding achievements, leading to a remarkable GPA of 8.7, a testament to their dedication and skill in all things communications.
With a major in public relations and a minor in public policy, they possess a unique perspective on effecting meaningful change. At Māia, Libbie has found a perfect alignment of values and purpose, allowing them to continue their mission of driving social change through communications, with a special interest in kaupapa that benefit all New Zealanders through Māori system approaches.
From Kirikiriroa, Hamilton, Libbie's interests outside of work include football, theatre, and being a ‘history nerd’. They joined the Māia whānau in November 2023 and quickly blew us away with their capacity, capability and intellect. Surrounded by like-minded individuals, Libbie says they are constantly inspired to grow, learn, and become the best Te Tiriti partner they can be.
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Communications Executive
With a background in emerging media technologies, storytelling and audience engagement, Sam has a passion for using communications to create real change.
Sam graduated from Victoria University of Wellington with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and International Relations, and recently from AUT with a Postgraduate Communications Diploma in Media Innovation.
Having also lived in Wellington and Berlin, Sam brings a diverse set of skills and a deep understanding of the media landscape both locally and abroad.
He is inspired by the kaupapa at Māia and is enjoys helping our clients achieve their communications goals.
Originally from Pōneke, Sam’s interests away from work include anything outdoors, cooking and playing sport.
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He uri tēnei no Rangitāne, Ngāti Kahungunu, me Rangitāne hoki
Communications Advisor
Becoming involved in activism at just 14 years old, through school strike for climate and advocating for māori history in schools in youth parliament, Anna has always been passionate about driving kaupapa with heart. She is a proud uri of Ngāti Kahungunu, Rangitāne, and Ngāti Raukawa.
Through working for her hapū and iwi she cultivated the foundational values of aroha, manaaki, and kaitiakitanga that she applies across her communications mahi. She is passionate about story sovereignty and brings her mātauranga, manawa, and mindfulness to the Māia whānau.Fearless when it comes to preserving taonga tuku iho, Anna’s experience in taiao and hauora spaces enable her to add valuable insight across a broad range of kaupapa. In her spare time, she is a hapū representative on Te Angiangi Marine Reserve governance board and studies te reo Māori at Te Whare Wānanga o Aotearoa.
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Georgina brings over a decade of experience in corporate communications, crisis management and customer relations across the private and public sectors.
Prior to this Georgina worked for a decade as a reporter in some of New Zealand's top media organisations, including TVNZ and RNZ. Her senior perspective and expertise allow her to navigate the changing media environment in Aotearoa with bravery while prioritising stakeholder management and reputation.
Georgina works across our clients and is a key mentor of developing kaimahi.
Georgina is passionate about uplifting other wahine to support their success and fostering positive change.
Originally from Wellington, Georgina is based in the Bay of Plenty.
Awards & Recognitions
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2022 – SILVER Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Ngāti Kuri Hīkoito100
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2022 – SILVER Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Ngāti Kuri Hīkoito100
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2023 – GOLD Government Relations and Public Affairs: MindTheGap
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2022 – FINALIST Ngāti Kuri: HīkoiTo100
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2023 – FINALIST MWDI Māori Business Women's Awards: Mihi Blake
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2022 – FINALIST: Emerging Gold Services
Whether you’re a changemaker, a purpose-led business, or a leader ready to leave a legacy, we’re here to help you fulfil your purpose. Are you ready to be māia?