With a strong passion for Te Ao Māori and identity, Leah brings a depth of understanding in the challenges urban Māori face and the bridge building skills needed to walk the multi-cultural journey.

Leah joined Maurea in 2022 with a facilitation background in the education and youth sector. She completed a Bachelor of Arts in Māori development at Auckland University of Technology and has a Diploma in Māori language fluency from Te Wānanga Takiura o Ngā Kura Kaupapa o Aotearoa.

With a strong passion for Te Ao Māori and identity, Leah brings a depth of understanding in the challenges urban Māori face and the bridge building skills needed to walk the multi-cultural journey.

She has a keen interest in mana wāhine theory and the Christian influences on colonisation in Aotearoa.

Leah is a descendant of Ngāti Ranginui, Te Tai Rāwhiti, Scotland and England.

With over 10+ years of governance experience, Linnae has a passion to strategically build and develop relationships with Māori & Pacific Island people and brings her deep knowledge of Te Tiriti o Waitangi to our team at Maurea.

Linnae has a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Māori Studies from Massey University and is a former Trustee of the Ngā Taonga ā Ngā Tama Toa Trust.

She has 14 years’ experience as a senior executive leading Māori and Pacific development and building strategic iwi Māori and Pacific partnerships and relationships on behalf of Auckland War Memorial Museum and Career Services Rapuara. Linnae has also held roles at the National Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the Office of Treaty Settlements and in Parliament as a clerk with the Māori Affairs Select Committee and private secretary to the Minister Responsible for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations.

Linnae is of Ngāti Porou, Ngāi Tahu, Rongowhakaata, Ngai Tāmanuhiri and Te Aitanga-ā-Mahaki descent. Born and bred in Te Tairāwhiti amongst her father’s people, Linnae lives in Tāmaki Makaurau with her partner, Julian, and their son, Tamati.