Our Services
Our Facilitation Services
Our Facilitation Services are grounded in te ao Māori and the world-renowned Technology of Participation (ToP™) Facilitation Methods

Strategic Planning Packages
Our strategic planning packages suits organisations ready to design, activate, and implement a clear and impactful strategy.

Bespoke Facilitation Support
Our bespoke facilitation services are ideal for organisations seeking an experienced, independent facilitator.
Why work with a Facilitator?
Facilitators don’t just lead sessions – they create space for everyone to be heard and move forward together. At AraHina, we unlock the collective wisdom of groups through focused, fun, and culturally grounded facilitation. Whether you’re a marae, hapū, government agency, or corporate, we tailor each process to meet your unique needs.
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Marae, Hapū, and Iwi
Bringing whānau together in a kaupapa Māori way to co-create 100-year strategies that are tipuna-inspired and mokopuna-driven
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Government Sector
Strengthening relationships with tangata whenua and tangata tiriti supporting co-designed approaches that honours Te Tiriti
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Community Sector
Supporting ground-up strategy development led by the community, for the community, with the community
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Corporate Sector
Designing and implementing Māori strategies - turning aspirations into culturally grounded, achievable action
Grounded, respectful and inspired facilitation
Ārahi(na) means ‘to lead/guide’ and Hina references Hīnātore, a luminescent world that exists to provide light in the darkness or the glimmer of hope

Ko wai ahau?
Kia ora, my name is Katerina Kupenga, Ngāti Porou | Te Whānau a Apanui, and I am the founder of AraHina Facilitation Consultancy. Based in Tāmaki-nui-a-Rua Dannevirke, I serve all regions of Aotearoa, New Zealand.
My 15-year career began at ANZ NZ & Australia Contact Centres, where I specialised in leadership coaching, strategic planning, and facilitation. I later transitioned to the not-for-profit sector, facilitating leadership and strategic planning programmes for school principals across the motu. In the community sector, I worked to build the capability of tangata whenua leaders and advocated for equitable funding for Māori. These experiences ignited my passion for fostering positive change for te iwi Māori and inspired me to establish AraHina Facilitation Consultancy.
Now, with two years of consultancy experience, international certification as a Technology of Participation Facilitator, and extensive strategy expertise, AraHina is dedicated to supporting groups achieve their aspirations through the art of facilitation. With a growing portfolio, proven outcomes, and an expanding team, we are set to deliver meaningful outcomes across Aotearoa, New Zealand.


Our Tohu
The Mangopare sits inside a circle, representing Hina. The Mangopare itself stands for 'by Māori for Māori' and subtly depicts the letters 'A' and 'H'. The outer detail is a simplified take on the whakarare pattern, symbolising everlasting transformation and growth.

Te Wawata
OUR VISION
An Aotearoa Hou where tangata whenua and tangata tiriti thrive
Te Whāinga
OUR MISSION
Delivering by Māori for Māori facilitation services
Te Take
OUR WHY
Because facilitation holds the potential to foster unity, unleash human potential, and drive community-led change






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Our Values
Whanaungatanga
Whanaungatanga is at the heart of everything we do and forms the foundation our workshops
Kotahitanga
Kotahitanga reflects our commitment to unity, as we believe that united as one, we’re stronger
Rangatiratanga
Rangatiratanga signifies unlocking the wisdom within the group to shape their own future
Tap into over 15 years of business coaching, leadership development, strategic planning, and facilitation experience at corporate, public and community level.
Contact Katerina @ AraHina today to learn more about our facilitation services and how we can support your organisation.
Testimonials


Kauri Pou Tiaki Virtual Reality project
Purpose:
To guide participants through a collaborative and facilitative journey to shape a story that captures the rākau kauri tikanga and mātauranga of the Waikato rohe as well as our role in protecting these mighty trees
Participants:
10 including Mana Whenua - Pou Mātauranga representatives, Waikato Regional Council Tai Ranga Whenua, Kauri Protection team, and Virtual Reality agency
Outcome:
A set of storyboards that will be woven to shape a rākau kauri story that informs the virtual reality experience which will be shared with kura and communities to build knowledge and create hope for the future of kauri.
Timeframe:
1 day (9am - 3pm)
Waikato Regional Council
Kauri Protection Team



Penu Marae Ruatorea
Purpose:
To delve into important discussions regarding the strategic direction for Penu and to design a rautaki that captures our dreams and aspirations for our mokopuna’s mokopuna
Participants:
20
Outcome:
Long-Term Strategy for Penu Vision, Strategic Pou, Strategic Rautaki, Success Measures
Timeframe:
1 full-day (9am - 8pm)
Penu (Rongo-i-te-Kai) Marae
Marae komiti



Ag Research Māori Strategy Refresh
Purpose:
To collaboratively review the progress of the Te Ara Tika Māori Transformation strategy and refresh it for the next 3 years, ensuring alignment with the new science priorities. This workshop was pivotal in highlighting the past achievements of Te Ara Tika and the strong need for Te Ara Tika and AgResearch’s strategy (Tā Mātou Rautaki) to become one.
Participants:
Approximately 15 staff, predominantly researchers, including members of the AgResearch Senior Leadership Team, the Māori Research and Partnership group, and representatives from People and Culture, participated in a two-day workshop at our Grasslands campus.
Outcome:
Te Ara Tika Strategic Plan 2024-29 includingTe Ara Tika’s mataora (life cycle) and whanaketanga (evolution) contains specific objectives and five pou (pillars) and key actions for each pou
Timeframe:
2-Days
AgResearch
Māori Strategy, Research and Partnerships


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Whāngārā Farms Taiao Committee Strategy
Purpose:
To surface the dreams and aspirations for Te Taiao o Whāngārā
Participants:
60 Including Mana Whenua, Tangata Whenua, 5th Generation Farmers, a Dame, a Chief Judge, and locals
Outcome:
A 100 year environmental blueprint for Te Taiao o Whāngārā that includes a Vision, 3-5 High-Level Strategic Pou, and Tohu/Framework that brings the strategy together
Timeframe:
Thursday evening 6pm - 9pm
Whāngārā Farms Taiao Committee
Te Taiao Committee

FAQs
I am based in Dannevirke, North Island but cover all regions across Aotearoa New Zealand
If you're ready to lock in a package and get your team underway, here's how to get started
- Click here to see if your available date is free
- See details here to select your prefered package.
- If you're ready to lock this in, please complete the Onboarding Form and I will send you a proposal
- Once the proposal is approved, I'll send a survey to you and your team to help shape the best approach
- We'll then meet online to review the agenda and finer details to ensure everything is well-prepared for the workshop
- Then, we’re into it! Ready to deliver your workshop for your team!
- After the workshop, we’ll meet to go over the day and strategy together
- If you've selected one of the strategy packages, I'll send the draft strategy to the designer, finalising the process for completing your strategy!
My packages also include complimentary unlimited strategic planning support to ensure that you are set up for success.
At AraHina, we align with the International Association of Facilitators (IAF) Statement of Values and Code of Ethics, established in June 2004 after extensive consultation with facilitators globally. We believe in the inherent value of individuals and the collective wisdom within groups. Our role is to enable each member to contribute meaningfully, supporting the group’s autonomy in making its own decisions. By fostering collaborative and cooperative interactions, we help build consensus that leads to impactful outcomes. We are committed to continuous professional growth and collaboration to advance our facilitation practice. Please visit the IAF Website for more information.
Investing in a facilitator helps eliminate the stress of managing discussions, juggling different perspectives, and keeping everyone on track. I handle the process, allowing you and your team to focus on contributing ideas without the pressure of guiding the conversation. This reduces the risk of conflict or misalignment and ensures that everyone’s voice is heard, leading to clearer decisions and stronger buy-in. By managing time, structure, and group dynamics, I help avoid the frustration of endless debates, off-topic discussions, or unproductive meetings. Ultimately, I streamline the process, making it more efficient and collaborative while freeing up your energy for what really matters - achieving meaningful outcomes.
"Facilitation is the art of guiding people through a process towards agreed upon objectives in a manner that encourages participation, equity, ownership, full potential and creativity by all those involved.” (Technology of Participation Group Facilitation Methods Manual ICAA)
“The primary work of the facilitator is done in silence, and to the untrained eye it may look as if the facilitator is not doing anything at all” (Dale Hunter)
What on Earth is Facilitation?
The Zen of Groups, Dale Hunter, Anne Bailey and Bill Taylor say: "Group facilitation is the art of guiding the group towards agreed objectives. A facilitator guides the process and does not get involved in the content. A facilitator intervenes to protect the group process and keep the group on track to fulfil its task.” (Hunter et al, 1992)
Trusting in the process to unlock the wisdom in the room and unleash human potential is truly powerful. That means that no hui, engagement, or outcome is the same and that’s what I love best!
As a ToP Facilitator, I’m trained in the Technology of Participation (ToP) methodology, which is all about guiding groups through effective decision-making and planning. I use structured methods like Focused Conversation and the Consensus Workshop method to keep discussions clear and on track. The ToP methods I use are internationally recognised and have been proven effective across various contexts. My aim is to not only facilitate productive meetings but also to empower your group with tools and techniques that you can use in the future.
Contact us
Katerina Kupenga - Dannevirke
Aotearoa, New Zealand