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Bridging Cultural Perspectives 
to lead diverse and inclusive  
organisations that make a difference.

We empower leaders and organisations with
knowledge and tools that eliminate racism,
create allyship, and build diverse workplaces

Our Vision

Imagine how much more impact an organisation can have when it’s able to harness the skills, knowledge, motivation as well as the wisdom of the cultural heritage of every single person – including those who feel excluded!

Using indigenous learning, design, and strategy, we want to disrupt system racism and create an equitable future for Māori and Pacific peoples.

That means that leaders and teams can have courageous conversations about racism and inequities in a mana-enhancing way…

And…that everyone in the organisation grows and develops their Māori and Pacific cultural intelligence...

So that you can tear down barriers and tap into the true potential of your entire workforce!

Our Framework of Change

Nine steps from creating awareness and opening up for change to cultural responsiveness and creating inclusive alliances!

Find out more

This framework is licensed by The Culture and Design Lab under the 
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

About Us

Iulia Leilua

Director

(Ngāti Hāua, Ngāti Hekeāwai, Samoan)

After more than three decades of journalism and winning the “Best Māori Journalist of the Year” award, I took stock and realised that “showing” is not as powerful as “doing”.

If I wanted to live my purpose, then I needed to create pathways, bring people together, create communities, and empower people so that they can take control of creating equitable futures for everyone.

Being part of an organisation that creates change allowed me to see that fixing the root causes of the problem is the only way to achieve successful systemic change.

I realised that I could be much more effective if I was able to work from “outside” an organisation to change the “inside”.

Now, with a Masters and several other qualifications under my belt, I have developed my own “Bridging Cultural Perspectives” framework that guides organisations through a transformational journey.

The journey from…

➤         Systemic racism
➤         Exclusion and frustration
➤         Powerplay
➤         Talking at people
➤         Centralised

➤         to cultural intelligence and systemic disruption
➤         to indigenous diversity and inclusion
➤         to enabling people to take ownership
➤         to creating spaces for courageous conversations
➤         to inclusive leadership

Ngapeita Leilua - Gotz

Digital & Design Co-ordinator

(Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Hāua, Samoan, Swiss, German)

Coming from the line of a famous Māori poetess, Puhiwāhine Te Rangihirawea, creative weavers, and a descendant of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, I know that it's possible to create spaces where everyone belongs. 

My heritage is a reflection of how inclusiveness and diversity can lead to building a community in which people find a place of belonging. 

My heritage gives me purpose and as a female designer in a male dominated industry. I want to use my art to share my message of anti-racism, ageism, genderism, and inclusivity.

With qualifications in art and design, web development, travel and tourism, and a specialisation in Māori and Pacific art, I want to help people gain a deeper understanding, appreciation, and respect for indigenous design.

Following my purpose to include, inspire, and empower, I add:

➤         Visual expression that people can identify with
➤         Energy that inspires people to act, share, and contribute
➤         Emotions and feelings that go deeper than spoken language
➤         Access to a deeper understanding of themselves and the organisation
➤         A voice that is universally understood and heard within and beyond the organisation

And most of all, I want to create designs that are genuine and culturally correct and that express the intention and purpose of ALL the people within an organisation.

I believe that art can create a sense of belonging and I would be honoured to use my skills to support you to create an organisation where Māori and Pacific people equally belong.

Our Values

Tika & Pono

Having integrity and
doing the right thing.

Whakapapa

Recognition of peoples' diverse ancestral connections.

Mana Tangata

Empowering people from all walks of life.

Tautua

Leadership through service, inclusiveness and professionalism.

Manaakitanga

Caring for people.

Fa'aloalo

Respect for people.

Kaitiakitanga

Guarding and protecting our environment.

Wairuatanga

Spirituality with an holistic lens.

Products & Services

Digital Moana

PolyUX Workshop 

Manu Communication

Puhi Creative

Contact Us

Based in Auckland and Taumarunui, supporting clients virtually throughout New Zealand.
P: 021 378 639
E: comms@cultureanddesignlab.com

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