Desna Whaanga-Schollum (Chairperson)   M.Sci-Comm (Distinction), B.Des (vis com), Toi Iho

Pae Matua

Tamaki Makaurau Co-Design, Environmental Planning and Management, Art, Design

Ngāti Pāhauwera + Ngāti Kahungunu + Ngāti Rongomaiwahine

Founding member
Nga Aho Chairperson 2016 - current
Co-Chair 2011-15

Desna’s work is connected through the exploration and articulation of cultural identity. Projects see her collaborating with a wide variety of communities, business and design professionals, artists and academics to achieve results which effect change in people, practice and place. Desna is actively involved in Māori identity design, discourse and stakeholder engagement in Aotearoa, via design consultancy, research, exhibitions, wānanga, speaking engagements and governance roles.

Master of Science Communication
Mātauranga Māori
2014 – 2017
Exploring relational mātauranga Māori values - how communication of these might be improved & contextualized within resource management development/engagement processes. Innovations are discussed via analysis of Māori ‘identity politics’ in research, science, design and art.