Celebrating our rising entrepreneurs this Matariki
30 June 2025
This year, as part of our Matariki celebrations, Amotai is highlighting the voices, visions and ventures of some of the young entrepreneurs in our supplier network.
It’s a time to reflect, reset and celebrate new beginnings, something these three business owners are looking forward to.
We asked them to share what drives them, how their journeys began, and what Matariki means to them, as Māori, as entrepreneurs, and as people navigating the ups and downs of building a business. Here are their stories, in their own words.
ATA: building a business with heart
For Sonny Ngatai (Ngāti Te Rangi, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Rangiwewehi), co-founder of Māori-led creative agency ATA, business has always been about more than content, it’s about care, culture and connection.
“There wasn’t one big lightbulb moment,” Sonny says, about what first inspired him. “It was more like a bunch of small sparks that slowly turned into a fire we couldn’t ignore.”
He and partner Kiriana Hautapu were both working in kaupapa Māori comms at the time: Sonny at Te Māngai Pāho, Kiriana at Te Taura Whiri. They kept gravitating to the same projects, until eventually they made it official.
“YOLO was trending at the time (don’t judge us), so we took that energy, pulled our savings together, and started ATA.”
Since then, ATA has grown into a team of strategists, editors and creatives who care deeply about te reo Māori, equity, and creating digital spaces grounded in kaupapa. Their work ranges from social media campaigns to full-scale productions.
Having both been raised in kaupapa Māori environments, kōhanga and kura, both Kiriana and Sonny have a deeply instilled sense of responsibility.
“We’re not just running a business; we’re part of a long line of people who’ve dreamed bigger for the next generation.”
When asked about their biggest achievement so far, Sonny says it’s that they’ve managed to build something real. “A team. A vibe. A crew of humans where people are kind, talented, and committed to something bigger than themselves.”
The growth of their business hasn’t come without struggle. “In the early days, it was just us taking on every job we could to survive. At times we’ve been stretched, but our kaupapa has always grounded us.”
Sonny also credits Kiri for keeping him grounded during challenging times. “It’s her super power,” he says. “She keeps us tūturu and honest about who we are, and what we’re good at. She’s the balance and the brilliance, the reason we keep moving forward. We’ve got deep trust in each other and really complimentary pūkenga, but more than that, we’re both dedicated to the kaupapa and to each other, even when things get hard.”
Although they’ve only just begun tapping into the Amotai network, he says it’s already helped them find confidence and belonging. “At first there was a bit of imposter syndrome… like, are we established enough to be here? But we’ve found our voice now.”
Matariki, for Sonny, is a time to pause. “It’s when we finally exhale. It’s the perfect time to give ourselves a little hi-five for making it through the first half of the year and hang out as whānau.”
“We’ve also started revitalising the Hautapu in our whānau which has been really food for our own waiora, and it brings us back to what matters. It’s something that fills every taha of our whare tapawhā.”
Taputapu: designing with purpose
Nikki Kennedy (Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga a Māhaki, Te Whakatōhea) is the founder of Taputapu, a design studio based in Te Tairāwhiti that combines graphic design, homeware, and prints that help connect people to culture.
"I was inspired by the idea of normalising Te Reo Māori and Māori design in everyday spaces. I wanted to create a business that not only reflected my culture but also allowed me to live creatively, using the skills I’m passionate about. Being able to wake up and be creative every day is honestly a dream come true."
Nikki is currently studying Toi Māori at Toihoukura while running Taputapu full-time.
"My whakapapa keeps me grounded and reminds me of my responsibilities to uplift my people through everything I do. My business is guided by tikanga and values like manaakitanga and kotahitanga: how I show up, how I treat others, and the kind of spaces I want to create for other Māori creatives."
She’s proud that her business lets her stay connected to her roots. "I’ve built a business that allows me to live in Gisborne, study Toi Māori, and still do meaningful mahi that reaches whānau and clients all over Aotearoa. Seeing our work in kaupapa Māori spaces and knowing it resonates with people is something that truly lights me up."
Like many business owners, there have been lots of challenges including cash flow issues and managing the juggle of business, study and life. "One of the biggest challenges is not burning out. I’ve had to learn to prioritise, delegate, rest, and take time for myself, even when everything feels urgent."
Since becoming part of the Amotai network, Taputapu has noticed a real difference. "Amotai has created more visibility for my business and connected me to opportunities I wouldn’t have accessed on my own. It’s empowering to be part of a network that values and supports Māori and Pasifika businesses."
For Nikki, Matariki is about intentional rest. "It’s when I pause, reset, and reflect on where I’ve been and where I want to go next. It’s a chance to breathe before diving back into the mahi."
Aupiki Travel: travel swiftly, return safely
As a qualified commercial pilot, JJ Ripikoi (Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa, Ngapuhi, Ngāti Pāoa), didn’t plan to run a travel company, but when the pandemic grounded all flights in 2019, he looked to different ways he could use his skillset. Now, as Tumuaki of Aupiki Travel, based in Whangārei, he leads Aotearoa’s first Māori-owned and operated travel management company (TMC), specialising in corporate and group travel services including flights, accommodation, rentals, transfers, insurance and visas.
"I’ve always been very interested in working in the travel sector. So when flying jobs essentially froze during Covid, I started looking at how I could create a business of my own,” says JJ.
“Throughout that time, I was doing a bit of contracting mahi with Māori and iwi organisations and I noted the vast amount of travel being undertaken within Te Ao Māori, yet there was no Māori-owned TMC to manage this.”
JJ saw an opportunity to change that.
"Organisations that use a TMC go through the likes of Orbit, Tandem, FCM, and CTM – mainstream travel management companies that tend to serve government and corporate clients. I could see that the majority of Māori organisations were making their travel bookings directly, so they weren’t getting any of the corporate rates or a streamlined service."
He credits his parents and a kura kaupapa upbringing for shaping his values and how he does business.
"I’m fortunate to be raised by parents that are hard workers. My mum established, alongside her two really close Samoan sisters, the first all Māori and Pasifika wāhine law firm in Aotearoa. My dad on the other hand had left school at young age to work and help his mum pay the bills. These two role models provided the basis to go out and do something different, and work hard to achieve that."
His proudest moment so far has been continuing to push through the startup phase of business, even when it’s all felt like too much.
"Aupiki isn’t my first business. I’ve tried many businesses, some worked and some didn’t. I’m proud to have stood up a credible travel management company that is being utilised by Māori organisations of all sizes."
But he’s clear about the challenges. "The biggest challenge is getting belief in the product that you are designing. Starting a business alone can be daunting and you tend to question yourself on why you’re doing it and whether it’s worth doing."
He worked multiple jobs on the side to fund the business, and used his whānau as a sounding board. "Raising capital is a big challenge, so working extra jobs was how I was able to provide the financial foundation for Aupiki to get off the ground."
JJ is grateful to Amotai for introducing him to a wider world of opportunities. "Prior to joining Amotai, I had no idea of the 'supplier diversity eco-system'. Being part of Amotai allows me to attend different kaupapa and network with pākihi that could benefit from a change in their travel management."
His advice to other young entrepreneurs? "Go hard! It doesn’t have to be anything big and flashy at the start. You don’t have to have it all figured out. Just keep going. Re-evaluate as you go. Adapt where needed. Be a good learner. BUT, you don’t always have to take on everyone’s advice. Use your gut instinct and run with it."
This year for Matariki, JJ will be taking the time to appreciate the small things and reflect on what he’s already achieved so far.
"For me, it’s a time to reset. Time to unwind. Time to re-evaluate."
Lighting the path forward
“We’re proud to support these rising stars by connecting them to opportunities,” says Anna-Jane Edwards, CE or Amotai. “We’re honoured to have them in the Amotai whānau and proud to celebrate their courage, leadership and potential this Matariki.
Check out these businesses and support their growth:
https://www.aupikitravel.co.nz/