Kuramaiki Whana is currently working as a Senior Advisor on secondment in the Office of the Deputy Secretary Regions. Since joining Te Puni Kōkiri in December 2023 as part of the 2023/24 intern cohort, she has built experience across several teams while continuing her studies and growing her career in the public sector.

Kuramaiki began her journey at Te Puni Kōkiri as a summer intern while studying a Bachelor of Marketing and Te Ao Māori. Based in Heretaunga, she was part of the first intake of interns in the region in several years and welcomed the opportunity to gain experience in a kaupapa Māori environment.

"The internship gave me my first experience working in a professional setting and confirmed that this was the type of mahi I wanted to be involved in," she says. "It was an opportunity to learn from experienced people, contribute to meaningful work, and better understand how government can support Māori aspirations."

After completing the internship, Kuramaiki extended her time with Te Puni Kōkiri, progressing into an Advisor role before securing a permanent position.

"I could see there was still so much to learn and so many opportunities to grow," she says. "The work was meaningful, and I wanted to continue building my experience and contributing to the organisation."

Much of her early mahi focused on housing initiatives following Cyclone Gabrielle, where she witnessed firsthand the impact government investment can have on whānau and communities.

"We were heavily involved in housing and papakāinga developments, and being able to see whānau move into their homes before Christmas was incredibly rewarding," she says. "Seeing the direct impact of that support reinforced how important this work is and the difference it can make in people's lives."

Since then, Kuramaiki has continued to broaden her experience through several secondments in Wellington. During this time, she has worked in the Office of the Deputy Secretary Regions and the Iwi and Māori Relations team, supporting work within the Accords space.

"I really valued the opportunity to work in Wellington and gain exposure to a different side of the organisation," she says. "It provided insight into decision-making processes, the relationships that underpin our work, and the preparation required to support outcomes for Māori at a national level."

Her time working in the Accords space provided valuable insight into the relationship between iwi and the Crown.

"It's a unique area to work in," she says. "You're supporting relationships between Iwi and the Crown while helping advance Iwi priorities within a government context. Being part of that work gave me a greater appreciation for the importance of partnership, trust and long-term relationships."

Kuramaiki says her decision to join Te Puni Kōkiri was driven by a desire to work in a kaupapa Māori environment while gaining a greater understanding of the public sector.

"I wanted to work somewhere that aligned with my values and allowed me to contribute to outcomes for Māori," she says. "Te Puni Kōkiri offered the opportunity to do that while also providing insight into how government can support whānau, hapū and Iwi aspirations."

That sense of purpose continues to motivate her today.

"Working alongside other Māori makes a real difference," she says. "There is a shared understanding, a strong sense of connection, and a genuine commitment to supporting one another. It creates an environment where people can thrive while staying grounded in who they are."

Alongside her work, Kuramaiki continues to study online and has embraced opportunities for learning and professional development.

"I've always been encouraged to keep growing, whether that's through study, professional development or taking on new challenges," she says. "That support has helped me build confidence in my abilities and continue developing my career."

She has also taken up opportunities to further strengthen her leadership capability and expand her professional network.

"One of the biggest benefits of working at Te Puni Kōkiri is the people you meet and the relationships you build," she says. "I've been fortunate to work alongside talented people across the organisation and connect with a range of partners and stakeholders. Those experiences have been invaluable."

For Kuramaiki, it is the combination of meaningful kaupapa, continuous growth and strong relationships that has shaped her experience so far.

"Being able to see the impact of our work while continuing to learn and develop has been incredibly rewarding," she says. "Every opportunity has helped me grow professionally and strengthened my commitment to contributing to positive outcomes for Māori."

As she continues her journey at Te Puni Kōkiri, Kuramaiki remains focused on building her experience, strengthening relationships and contributing to meaningful outcomes for whānau, hapū and Iwi across Aotearoa.