Akiwa Ngatai

Landscape Graduate

Ko Ngongotaha te maunga

Ko Waiteti te awa

Ko Ngararanui te marae

Ko Te Urutakiao te whare manaaki

Ko Te Arawa te Waka

Ko Akiwa Te Kakati Ngatai tōku ingoa

Ko Ngāti Ngararanui, Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Ngāti Te Wehi ōku hāpu.

Ko Te Arawa, Tainui, Ngāti Whātua ōku iwi.

Akiwa is from Rotorua, a culturally driven landscape surrounded by Te Ao Māori whakaaro and akoranga. Growing up near the Pā, immersed in all things Māori while also attending Victoria University of Wellington Akiwa found a need to enhance and improve the way we design our Landscapes.

Akiwa has a passion for producing mahi that embodies Te Ao Māori philosophies found in Landscapes, allowing the Whenua to shape and mould what lays upon her.  Combining mahi toi, pakiwaitara, whakapapa etc, and landscape structures to guide how she designs.

Since joining TOA Architects Akiwa has worked alongside tangata whenua, iwi, hapū consultants, and a range of working groups for projects such as; Papakāinga, Marae, Pātuwatawata, and Residential.

• 2022 Master of Landscape Architecture, Victoria University.
• 2019 Bachelor of Architectural Studies / Landscape Architecture, Victoria University.