Our Team

Behind every successful project is a team of trusted advisors, planners, researchers, and facilitators committed to creating meaningful outcomes for people, communities, and the environment.

Our team brings together deep expertise in planning, policy, cultural engagement, and te ao Māori, supported by a shared commitment to excellence, integrity, and collaboration. We work alongside clients to navigate complexity with confidence, combining technical expertise with cultural insight to deliver practical, enduring solutions grounded in the aspirations of the communities we serve.

Jade Wikaira

NGĀTI TŪWHARETOA, TE WHĀNAU-A-APANUI, NGĀPUHI
Jade is Tumu Whakarae (Managing Director) of Wikaira Consulting Limited. She has over twenty years’ experience working in senior manager and governance roles across the public sector, NGO, Iwi, tertiary education and research sectors.
She champions diversity and inclusion, leads Māori Strategies and draws from the latest research on cultural intelligence / cultural literacy to create new futures with people and organisations.
She is a fluent speaker of te reo Māori and proudly contributing to its revitalisation through teaching the public and business organisations.
Email: jade@wikairaconsulting.co.nz
Rina Cavell

Rina brings extensive experience across strategy, programme delivery and regional leadership, having worked across central government, regional government and consultancies. She has built a reputation for helping people transform complex information into action, and for seeing how all the pieces of the policy landscape interconnect.
Previously, Rina worked alongside the Regional Council Chief Executives through Te Uru Kahika, supporting the regional sector at a national level. In that role, she was asked to review how the regional council special interest group network operates and to help shape what the future could look like for the sector. It is the kind of work that requires someone who can hold a system-wide view while being trusted by senior leaders across the country.
She has supported major national work programmes, including projects connected to freshwater management, climate resilience and water services delivery.
Email: rina@wikairaconsulting.co.nz
Rebecca Parke

TANGATA TIRITI
Rebecca is a principal advisor with expertise in project management, policy analysis, resource management planning, report writing, and cultural engagement. With a professional background in health and a commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, she brings strong analytical capability and a disciplined, values-based approach to complex planning and policy work.
At Wikaira Consulting, Rebecca contributes to a diverse portfolio of projects, ranging from district plan and regional policy statement development and freshwater policy implementation through to Fast-track Approvals Act applications. Her work supports iwi entities, public and private sector clients to integrate tangata whenua values and aspirations into planning and decision-making frameworks.
Known for her clarity, precision, and integrity, Rebecca combines project management, research, and report writing skills to deliver high-quality planning and policy advice. Her collaborative approach and attention to detail help ensure projects are delivered to a high standard.
Email: rebecca@wikairaconsulting.co.nz
Willie Koopu

TE WHĀNAU-A-APANUI
Willie is a trusted specialist in people, culture and building capability across sectors. As a long- standing rugby referee, coupled with his upbringing in a reo Māori-speaking community, he brings a natural ease to work alongside people from diverse backgrounds, together with a grounded understanding of tikanga Māori, to his work.
His highly methodical and thoughtful approach brings clarity and confidence on a wide range of subject matters, including plan changes and other resource management projects.
He leads the NZPI Planning for Māori Values courses and designs bespoke cultural capability training for public and private organisations, helping teams to move from awareness to action with confidence and care.
Email: william@wikairaconsulting.co.nz
Ida Kohu

WAIKATO TAINUI, NGĀI TE RANGI, NGĀTI RANGINUI
Ida is a senior advisor with expertise in policy, strategy, cultural capability, and Māori engagement. She brings extensive experience across local and central government, supporting organisations to successfully deliver complex projects, strengthen relationships with mana whenua, and deliver outcomes that are culturally grounded and evidence-based.
She is a highly skilled facilitator and is a lead presenter in the NZPI Planning for Māori Values training programme, guiding professionals to understand te ao Māori, Treaty responsibilities, and effective engagement practice. She also designs and facilitates bespoke training and advisory programmes for councils and private sector organisations seeking to strengthen organisational capability and confidence in working with Māori.
Ida works across a diverse portfolio spanning infrastructure, resource management, and environmental projects. Her ability to interpret complex information and balance a broad range of perspectives helps ensure programme and project outcomes are pragmatic, strategic and impactful.
Email: ida@wikairaconsulting.co.nz