Kupu Tautoko
Testimonials
“Having a pakihi Māori, who understand the nature of communicating with our people... has been invaluable”
Rāwiri Bhana, Chair
The service, which includes advice through having led out other comms strategies for iwi doing settlements has been so valuable. Having a pakihi Māori, who understand the nature of communicating with our people, being able to do comms in both Pākehā and Māori, and being able to connect with our kaumātua in interviews etc has been invaluable.
“We found out this was Atawhai Creative mahi so quickly jumped on board and haven’t looked back!”
Candice Richards, Te Manahautū | CEO
Another Whakaue Trust was running a fantastic social media campaign – clear, engaging and informative. We found out this was Atawhai Creative mahi so quickly jumped on board and haven’t looked back! Having professional support to take care of our communication needs (in both English and Te Reo I might add) has been a godsend for our small team.
"Their flexibility, responsiveness, and cultural sensitivity throughout the project made us feel we had a team we could rely on and be comfortable working with."
Tracey Kellett, Kaitohutohu Whakawhitinga, Whakatairanga | Communications and Marketing Adviser
Working with the Atawhai team was an absolute pleasure. They truly listened to our vision and values, bringing them to life in a digital space that feels both welcoming and professional. The design is clean, intuitive, and beautifully reflects our kaupapa and identity. Their flexibility, responsiveness, and cultural sensitivity throughout the project made us feel we had a team we could rely on and be comfortable working with. We’ve received outstanding feedback from our community and partners and couldn’t be happier with the result. We highly recommend Atawhai to anyone looking for a team that combines technical web design expertise with genuine heart.
"Nothing was a challenge for the team at Atawhai and from our very first meeting - they understood us, and they understood our needs."
Bede Dwyer, Kaiwhakahaere Tohu me te Whakapāpātanga | Brand and Communications Manager, Te Ohu Kaimoana
We reached out to the team at Atawhai Creative Communications based upon a recommendation from one of our entities. We have traditionally struggled to find a partner that could offer the range of services we often require, which can range from strategic advice on media approaches and public relations, to general BAU stakeholder communications, social media management and design. Nothing was a challenge for the team at Atawhai and from our very first meeting - they understood us, and they understood our needs. Nothing felt too difficult, nor too simple for them to take on and run with. Atawhai was also an easy fit because like us, they are a kaupapa Māori business that live and share common values that Te Ohu Kaimoana hold dearly and are very appreciative of. A big thank you to the team for their assistance. We wouldn't hesitate to use Atawhai again the future and look forward to working together again.
"Natalie has managed to raise our profile in a humble yet effective way so that we can spread the word about our mahi."
Dr. Anna Rolleston, Founder of The Centre for Health
Our social media following has substantially increased and instigating our monthly zui sessions to the public has just been a phenomenal way of sharing our knowledge with our community and connecting people to us. Natalie is passionate about what we do, authentically engaging with us and gifting us her aroha, expertise and sometimes a kick in the right direction when needed.
"Natalie’s experience in both corporate and Te Ao Māori environments has greatly assisted with our stakeholder communications."
Toko Kapea, Te Ara Pounamu CEO
Atawhai Creative Communications is our communications partner for the Pounamu Pathway which is an exciting tourism experience on the West Coast of the South Island. Managing Director Natalie Hilterman has been instrumental in assisting with strategic media advice, PR and content creation. As we get closer to launching the Pounamu Pathway, I feel completely safe the communications and marketing expertise of Natalie and her team will assist in the seamless launch of the visitor hubbs and a world class experience for our local and international visitors.
"We were fortunate to discover Natalie and her company Atawhai. Natalie has been a key component of our PR work for the last three years. In that time, we have gone from a fledging concept to a world first Indigenous Online Gamification platform."
Dr. Phyllis Callaghan, Murray Sam Holdings Limited
We initially hired Atawhai Creative Communications to create a communications plan for our social media impact game; Katuku Island. We wanted the plan to embrace our business model, but also understand our need to weave Indigenous and Kaupapa Māori principles throughout all aspects of our media campaign. Natalie has been instrumental in the success of our work, which also gained VCM funding. Scheduling timely press releases brought both national and international coverage for our team. Atawhai were professional in all their dealings with us but were also empathetic to our needs as Māori to make sure that all material supplied to media outlets was supported by constant dialogue with myself and also respectful of tikanga. Natalie also conducted kanohi ki te kanohi engagement, meeting our team and seeing for herself and understanding the wider vision and aspirations for the Katuku Island Indigenous Online Gamification platform. Although a bit like a possum in the headlights, when I did have to talk to media as the creator of Katuku Island, Natalie talked me through everything. The television and radio interviews did not seem so terrifying. I can certainly say that we would not have had the national and international saturation we had with the Katuku Gamification platform had we not discovered Atawhai. “I simply would not venture into any media campaigns without them.”
"From growing our social media presence through to communications and PR activities, we couldn’t be happier with Natalie and her team."
Paora Te Hurihanganui, Kurupā Paiaka (CEO) Te Arawa Whānau Ora
Dedication, creativity, te ao Māori values and whakaaro and an uncanny ability to connect with our Te Arawa whānau and stakeholders…. Te Arawa Whānau Ora – Whānau First! The added bonus we received was Natalie’s attention to social justice, the right intent and outcomes were exemplified and the voices that need to be heard were done so with dignity and respect. Ngā mihi nui ki a koe e hine.