Dr Kathie Irwin

CEO/Founder and Owner, Hope Brokers Inc.

Kathie is CEO and Founder of Hope Brokers Inc, a consultancy specialising in Public Policy, Tertiary Education and Research & Development. Kathie has built a career as an academic specialising in Māori education, research and development through her work at Massey University, Victoria University, Christchurch College of Education, Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi, Te Wananga o Raukawa and the Te Kohanga Reo National Trust. Following this work in the Tertiary Sector Kathie moved into the Government sector working first at Te Puni Kokiri, as Chief Analyst Culture, and then at the Families Commission, becoming Director Kaupapa Maori Research and Evaluation.

Kathie’s passion drives her to contribute to nation building in innovative and creative ways that are inspired by her Ngati Porou tipuna (ancestor) Sir Apirana Ngata’s whakatauaki (proverb) “E tipu, e rea”. This proverb speaks to the possibilities of bicultural and bilingual models of change that create authentic social inclusion. NZ has shown that bicultural modelling provides sustainable pathways to cultural pluralism. Such vision, such power. It is ours to have in Aotearoa and the worlds to learn from us.

The strategic vision of Hope Brokers Inc, is “Creating new futures with people and organisations”.