Poutawa is dedicated to fostering deep connection with te reo Māori and mātauranga Māori. We believe that language is the heartbeat of culture, and through accessible, high-quality educational resources and development opportunities, we empower both Māori and non-Māori to engage authentically with te ao Māori.
Our commitment is to strengthen cultural identity, build confident communicators, and support communities in their journey towards cultural competency and linguistic excellence. We honor the past, nurture the present, and sow seeds for future generations.
"KEI HEA TAKU MANAPOU, TAKU MANATAWA?"
"Where are the seeds of my language?"
The name Poutawa is drawn from this whakataukī, which speaks to the origins and future of te reo Māori. Just as the kākā once carried seeds across Aotearoa to take root and flourish, so too must the seeds of our language be sown, nurtured, and protected. At the heart of this kōrero are two seeds:
Te Manapou
Lifeforce of the Language
This seed carries te mauri o te reo, the spiritual essence of our language. It holds the depth of our tikanga, our karakia, and the wairua that binds culture, identity, and ancestral wisdom. The emphasises the authentic connection between language and culture.
Te Manatawa
Growth of the Language
This seed carries te mana o te reo ki te whakatupu – the power of te reo Māori to grow and evolve. It represents the diversity of mita, the shaping of grammar, and the adaptability of the language in both traditional and contemporary worlds.
Ō MĀTOU TŪĀPAPA
our foundations
Guided by our values, we create meaningful pathways for cultural connection and educational excellence.
Whakapono
Empowering Potential
We believe in the innate capability of every learner. Our work is designed to unlock confidence, nurture self-belief, and empower individuals to reach their full potential in te reo Māori.
Tuakiritanga
Celebrating Māori Identity
We honor and celebrate the richness of Māori identity, ensuring that our resources and programmes affirm cultural pride and strengthen connections to whakapapa and heritage.
Manaakitanga
Caring for Mātauranga
We approach mātauranga Māori with deep respect, care, and responsibility. Our commitment is to protect, preserve, and share knowledge in ways that honor its sacredness and significance.
Rangatiratanga
Empowering Through Knowledge
We champion self-determination and leadership. By equipping learners and communities with knowledge and skills, we enable them to take ownership of their language learning journey.
ngā kākano
our team
At Poutawa, our strength lies in the depth, expertise, and integrity of our people. We work alongside a highly skilled network of facilitators with extensive experience across primary, secondary, tertiary, and adult education environments.
Genae Thompson
Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Tūwharetoa
Mana Whakahaere | Managing Director
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Genae Thompson is the Managing Director and Principal Consultant of Poutawa, a kaupapa Māori organisation specialising in cultural competency, mātauranga Māori, and te reo Māori education. With a strong foundation in teaching and programme design, Genae brings extensive experience working across education, government, health, and community sectors to develop learning that is meaningful, practical, and culturally grounded. A qualified kaiako who gained her te reo Māori through a full immersion programme, Genae combines lived experience with sound pedagogical theory to support effective language acquisition and cultural learning. Through Poutawa, Genae leads the development of innovative, accessible programmes that strengthen cultural capability, support te reo Māori revitalisation, and help organisations embed tikanga and Māori perspectives into everyday practice with confidence and integrity.
Tahau Thompson
Ngāti Hauā, Ngāti Pāoa, Ngāpuhi
Pou Whakahaere | Lead Facilitator
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Tahau Thompson is a highly respected Māori language and mātauranga Māori specialist, recognised for his depth of knowledge, language precision, and commitment to cultural integrity. A graduate of Te Panekiretanga o te Reo Māori, Tahau brings advanced expertise in te reo Māori and a strong responsibility to uphold the highest standards of language use, tikanga, and intellectual rigour. He commits to the stewardship, protection, and transmission of iwi knowledge and kōrero tuku iho through active roles in his iwi and supports kaupapa that strengthen iwi identity, leadership, and intergenerational knowledge transfer. Through Poutawa, Tahau supports high-quality reo development and culturally grounded practice across a range of educational and organisational settings.
Maysie Palmer
Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Awa
Pou Ruruku - Promgramme Manager
Maysie Palmer is an experienced professional with a strong background in administration, case management, and stakeholder engagement. With over 15 years in high-pressure roles, including her tenure with the New Zealand Police, she has developed exceptional organisational, analytical, and communication skills. Maysie has successfully managed complex cases, overseen critical processes, and worked in legal and compliance-driven environments. Her expertise extends to community engagement, where she has collaborated with diverse groups, including service providers and government agencies, to deliver impactful outcomes. Proficient in technology and adept at adapting to dynamic situations, Maysie thrives in challenging environments, demonstrating resilience and emotional intelligence. Maysie’s dedication to excellence and her ability to foster positive relationships make her a valuable asset to any organisation. She is committed to delivering results with integrity and professionalism.
ngā hononga
our networks
We are privileged to work alongside a diverse range of organisations, professional bodies, community groups, and iwi. Each relationship is carefully nurtured, with the values of Poutawa at the forefront, to ensure meaningful engagement and impactful outcomes.
