Our Kaupapa
Kia Māia Bicultural Communications was established in Wellington in 1999 as a specialist consultancy. The overriding aim of our business is to contribute to improved communication and connection between the varied communities and cultures that make up Aotearoa / New Zealand.

We are especially committed to a greater understanding of the partnership between Māori and non-Māori, recognising and celebrating our differences as well as the things that bind us together in our common experience.

The vision we work towards each day is of a New Zealand where biculturalism is natural – simply part of the normal fabric of our lives – and where everyone is able to contribute fully to our nation.

Aotearoa / New Zealand is the only place in the world where our unique indigenous culture and language exist. Our passion is celebrating this fact, and providing high quality information and tools that help others celebrate it too.

Who are we?

Kia Māia is a partnership of Alexandra Tidswell and Janine Kapa.

We have been creating and delivering bicultural training since 1999. Te Rito has been through a number of different iterations, with a focus on continual improvement as a result of learner feedback, self-reflection and social change. It was born from a clear need in the private and public sectors for a powerful yet compassionate online tool to augment in-person training and other educational experiences.

Photo of Alexandra Tidswell

Alexandra Tidswell

Tangata Tiriti

Photo of Alexandra Tidswell

Janine Kapa

Kāti Makō and Kāti Irakehu