Strategy Grounded in
Te Ao Māori
Strategic Planning Consultancy
Aotearoa, New Zealand
Strategic Planning that turns vision into action
AraHina is a Māori-led facilitation consultancy supporting groups, organisations, and communities across Aotearoa through focused strategic planning workshops grounded in te ao Māori.
We guide you through a clear, end-to-end strategic planning process using proven facilitation tools to draw out the aspirations of your people and shape a strategy they understand and genuinely own.
The result is a professionally designed strategic plan you can implement immediately with confidence and share with pride.
Explore some of our recent strategic plan designs
Ārahi(na) means ‘to lead or guide,’ while Hina references Hīnātore, a luminescent world that provides light in the darkness - a glimmer of hope
About AraHina
AraHina exists to provide strategic planning services grounded in te ao Māori.
Since our establishment, we have had the privilege of working alongside whānau, hapū, iwi, and organisations across Aotearoa, from community groups to government agencies, businesses, and boards. Together we co-design strategic plans and facilitate strategic planning workshops that turn vision into action.
At the heart of our mahi is making strategic planning simple and accessible. We support organisations to bring their aspirations to life through clear direction, shared ownership, and practical action, using trusted planning tools and mātauranga Māori that inspire tino rangatiratanga and ground-up change.
We are also passionate about bringing Tangata Whenua and Tangata Tiriti together through facilitation that strengthens relationships and builds trusted collaboration for a better Aotearoa.
AraHina works as a strategic planning consultant and facilitator for organisations, communities, leadership teams, and boards across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Our Strategic Planning Pathways
“Nā Hina te Pō, nā Hina te Ao” speaks of Hina, the moon, moving between darkness and light
She reminds us that every journey has cycles, from endings to new beginnings. From that space of change comes Hinātore, the first spark of hope, lighting Hina te Ara, the pathway forward
Together they form Ngā AraHina - our pathways for turning vision into action
Not sure which service is the right fit for you?
Our simple flow chart will help you find the best pathway for your organisation, guided by where you are now and where you’d like to be.
Signs You Need a Strategic Planning Facilitator or Workshop
Creating a strategy can feel overwhelming, especially when everyone’s deep in the mahi. AraHina makes the strategic planning process easier, helping you unite your team, find clarity, and stay focused on the journey ahead
No Shared
Vision
Your team is passionate,
but everyone’s heading in
different directions
Values Not
Guiding Decisions
You have a strong kaupapa, but it’s not shaping day-to-day decisions across your organisation
No Action
Plan
You know where you want to go, but there’s no clear strategic plan to get there
No Way to
Measure Progress
You’re moving, but it’s hard to tell what’s working or how far you’ve come against your goals
Strategy Isn’t
Being Used
You have a strategy,
but it’s sitting on the
shelf instead of driving action
No Team Alignment
People are working hard,
but not always toward
the same goals
Choose a strategic planning pathway that best fits your needs
Have a look at our calendar to see if your preferred workshop time is available
Tell us a bit about your organisation and what you’re hoping to achieve
Lock in a time to connect with us so we can explore your strategic goals and next steps together
Step One:
Book Your Strategic
Planning Workshop
How to book your workshop
1.1 Booking
Once you’ve explored our services, checked our availability, and completed our form, we’ll meet online to see if we’re the right fit for your kaupapa
1.2 Proposal
We’ll then send a comprehensive proposal for your consideration, which you can simply sign through our easy online system
1.3 Non-refundable deposit
Once approved, we’ll send an invoice for a 50% non-refundable deposit, due within 7 days. This confirms your strategic planning workshop date and gets the preparation underway
1.4 Workshop confirmation:
After your booking is confirmed, you’ll receive an email outlining the next steps listed below
Step Two:
Prepare for Your Workshop
What to do once your booking is confirmed
2.1 Book venue and catering
Your role is to secure the venue, arrange catering, and send a calendar invite to all participants. Please see our venue requirements when booking a suitable space (in a Marae setting we will work together to make the best use of the space)
*PLEASE NOTE: We will need access to the venue at least one hour before the strategic planning workshop begins (or the afternoon beforehand) to set up
2.2 Pre-workshop survey
We’ll send an introductory email to all participants along with a short confidential survey giving everyone the opportunity to contribute to the design of the strategic planning workshop
2.3 Workshop design
With your feedback and any previous strategy documents, we’ll shape an agenda that’s tailored to your group’s needs
2.4 Pre-workshop meeting
We’ll meet before the workshop to go through a summary of the survey responses, the workshop design, and any finer details
2.5 Workshop preparation
We prepare all the resources needed to facilitate the session. You just need to take care of catering, venue, and participants
What to expect on the day
2.6 Setup
We’ll arrive at least an hour before the workshop begins to set up the room, ensuring everything is ready when participants arrive
2.7 Facilitation
We’ll facilitate the entire workshop so you can fully participate and engage alongside your team
2.8 Packdown
After the session, we’ll pack down the strategic planning workshop materials and begin preparing your summary
Step Three:
After the Workshop
What happens after your workshop
3.1 Post-workshop email
We’ll send a thank you email to all participants, including a high-level summary of the agreed actions and next steps from the strategic planning workshop
3.2 Workshop summary
We’ll prepare a Google Doc capturing the strategy notes and send this to our designer to draft your strategic plan. We’ll need your existing branding to complete the design.
*PLEASE NOTE: The Hina te Ara - Implementation Service does not include a professional design
Once you approve the design brief, our designer will have your Strategic Plan Draft within 10 business days. We’ll then meet online to walk you through the summary and next steps. If your service or package does not include design services, you will receive a Google Drive summary of your workshop outcomes
3.4 Feedback
Your team will have up to 28 days to provide feedback on the wording and design
3.5 Contract finalised
Once feedback is received and the design is confirmed, the contract will be closed and your strategic plan will be ready to use immediately
3.6 Ongoing support
If you’d like more hands-on help bringing your strategy to life, we offer bespoke support options. We’re with you for the entire journey and would love to continue supporting your kaupapa in any way we can
Our Point of Difference
Creating your own strategy can feel overwhelming
Especially when your team holds diverse perspectives and you’re deep in the mahi. That’s where AraHina steps in.
As experienced strategic planning consultants and facilitators, we take the pressure off so you can work alongside your team and focus on the journey ahead.
Our facilitation and strategic planning approach is grounded in te ao Māori, weaving indigenous wisdom with modern strategy tools
Māori-Centred Approach
Tap into over 20 years of business coaching, leadership development, strategic planning, and facilitation experience at corporate, public and community level
Strategy Expertise
Māori-Centred Approach
Our facilitation approach is grounded in te ao Māori, weaving Indigenous wisdom with modern strategic planning tools
Strategy & Leadership
Tap into 20 years of strategic planning and leadership experience across corporate, public, and community sectors
We are internationally certified Technology of Participation (ToP™) facilitators through ICA Australasia
We take you from concept to design so your strategy is a living document that your team can be proud of
Strategy Design
Your draft strategy will be professionally designed within 10 business days and ready to implement immediately
Fast and Efficient
Trusted by hapū, marae, community, not-for-profit, corporate, and public sectors in Aotearoa New Zealand
Trusted Expertise
Trusted by Communities and Organisations Across Aotearoa
Our Mahi
We’re proud to have partnered with organisations across Aotearoa supporting them to align their teams, strengthen their direction, and bring their strategies to life
Our work spans a diverse range of kaupapa – from whānau-led initiatives and hapū/marae wānanga to not-for-profits, government agencies, and businesses – each committed to creating meaningful impact in their communities
See below to learn more about the organisations we’ve had the privilege to support
Te Awakairangi
Kohanga Reo
Te Awakairangi Kōhanga Reo was the very first place I tested my strategic planning approach – my own son’s kōhanga at the time ...
Foodstuffs Te Uru Kahikatea Māori Network
Te Uru Kahikatea is the Māori employee network within Foodstuffs North Island...
Aotearoa Free From Stalking
Aotearoa Free From Stalking is a campaign hosted by Auckland Women’s Centre and supported by AVA: Anti-Violence Action...
Waikato Regional Council | Tiakina Kauri Team
Kauri Pou Tiaki is an immersive virtual reality experience designed to deepen understanding of the cultural, ecological...
Harataunga Marae
Strategy
Harataunga (Kennedy Bay) is a remote coastal community in the Coromandel with deep whakapapa ties to Ngāti Porou...
Rangatahi Māori Rautaki Wānanga Te Kaha
The Rangatahi Movement in Te Whānau a Apanui was the first Rangatahi Māori Strategy I had the privilege of supporting...
Te Awakairangi
Kohanga Reo
Te Awakairangi Kōhanga Reo was the very first place I tested my strategic planning approach – my own son’s kōhanga at the time ...
Foodstuffs Te Uru Kahikatea Māori Network
Te Uru Kahikatea is the Māori employee network within Foodstuffs North Island...
Aotearoa Free From Stalking
Aotearoa Free From Stalking is a campaign hosted by Auckland Women’s Centre and supported by AVA: Anti-Violence Action...
"It was beautiful to see everyone come together and agree on a way forward at the end of the hui – something I thought might not happen!"
"Fully walking the talk, not just talking the talk. You allowed humour during sensitive kaupapa, making the process approachable and engaging while honouring its cultural significance."
"I'm so proud of the outcome of this project. The facilitation at the beginning was a critical success factor for the project."
Your tools and teaching methods make facilitation techniques easy to pick up and apply in a range of spaces.
You have a gentle nature and are a really good listener. You facilitate in a neutral manner and know when to deep dive to get the best out of participants.
You are outstanding at bringing all participants on the journey, regardless of their starting point, and ensuring everyone's voice is heard.
Book a kōrero
Let’s talk about where you’re headed and how
AraHina can help guide the way.
