Naomi Manu is a visionary leader committed to advancing Māori development across Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), data analytics, and Hauora Māori. Her career reflects an enduring passion for breaking down barriers, fostering innovation, and creating opportunities for rangatahi Māori to thrive.

Naomi has recently been appointed the Pitau Whakarei (Chief Executive) of Te Pae Oranga o Ruahine o Tararua Iwi Māori Partnership Board, (Te Pae Oranga) in Palmerston North.  In this role, she leads efforts to influence and enhance hauora Māori planning, commissioning, and monitoring within their rohe through a mātauranga Māori lens, ensuring whānau voices remain central to decision-making and outcomes.

As the founder of the Pūhoro STEM Academy, Naomi has grown the initiative into the world’s most comprehensive Indigenous STEM programme. Pūhoro supports thousands of Māori students across Aotearoa by addressing systemic barriers to STEM participation and connecting rangatahi with scholarships, internships, and industry opportunities.

Before Pūhoro, 75% of Māori rangatahi were not on academic pathways. Today students are exceeding expectations in STEM. Naomi implemented the kaupapa Māori approach 'by Māori, for Māori, with Māori’ that has transformed outcomes and increased representation in STEM, where Māori currently make up only 2% of the. Pūhoro’s impact has been recognised internationally, winning awards for its groundbreaking work in diversity and inclusion.

In 2023, Naomi expanded her vision by co-founding Auraki Group Limited and launching the Poipoia Data Apprenticeship Programme. This six-month, work-integrated, learning initiative develops technical data skills while embedding Māori and iwi worldviews. Guided by the whakataukī Poipoia te kākano kia puāwai (nurture the seed and it will blossom), Poipoia enables iwi and Māori organisations to leverage data analytics for informed decision-making on critical social, economic, and environmental issues.

Naomi was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in the 2024 New Year Honours for her outstanding contributions to STEM education and Māori development. Naomi also led the first wāhine Māori in tech global trade delegation in 2024, visiting France, England, and Ireland. Her work advancing wāhine Māori in tech earned her a place as one of five finalists for the 2024 Global Women in Tech Awards (Asia-Pacific) from over 1,000 nominees.

Naomi’s leadership extends to roles such as:

Associate Director of Tapuwae Roa (formerly Te Pūtea Whakatipu Trust), a leading Māori social impact organisation.

2023 Obama Foundation Global Leader for the Asia Pacific region, recognising her influence on Māori development at an international level.

Her earlier work includes senior advisory roles across government agencies and social sector research at Kāhui Tautoko Consulting Limited, where she led initiatives like Youth Guarantee, Whānau Ora, and Māori language revitalisation.

Naomi’s unwavering focus on Māori development is guided by her commitment to creating equitable opportunities through innovation, cultural grounding, and strategic leadership. She continues to pave the way for transformative change, ensuring Māori voices and values are embedded in the fields of STEM, data analytics, and hauora Māori.

Links:

HERA Podcast: Ep. 106 | From old school to next gen, 14 June 2024

Waatea News Audio: Naomi Manu | Trustee at Te Taumata, 4 April 2024

Stuff News Article: Education leader Naomi Manu driving change for Māori, 30 December 2023

Tapuwae Roa Announcement: Welcomes new additions to its board of directors, 2 February 2024