Matihe! Achoo!

Qiane Matata-Sipu (Te Waiohua, Waikato, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Pikiao, Cook Islands) is an esteemed Māori-Pasifika creative, storyteller, and award-winning journalist and photographer. She is a social activist and cultural commentator whose career contributing to leading media publications and books across Aotearoa and the Pacific spans nearly two decades. Qiane is a regular guest speaker at women’s arts, business and leadership events. She is the founder and director of NUKU and QIANE+co, and is the founding member and co-leader of Protect Ihumātao. In 2021 Qiane was awarded the Women of Influence Arts and Culture Award, and in 2023 became a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to the arts. Her first book NUKU: Stories of 100 Indigenous Women was shortlisted in the 2022 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards for Illustrated Non-Fiction. Her bilingual children's stories have been widely acclaimed, and Ngā Kūpenga a Nanny Rina/Nanny Rina's Amazing Nets was awarded Storylines Notable Te Reo Māori award and was a finalist in the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults in 2025.

Munro Te Whata is a creative artist of Māori and Niuean descent, from the village of Makefu and the iwi of Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Porou, based in South Auckland. Growing up on cartoons, games, and comics fuelled his imagination, but he often longed to see his own identity reflected in those stories. This led him to spend his free time drawing and creating characters that represented his culture — a connection he sought to strengthen while growing up in the city. Munro began learning animation at 16 and landed his first industry job a few years later, working on Bro’Town for four seasons. He later served as an animation director at Māori TV. After several years in animation, he explored other creative fields including game design, film, teaching, and creative direction, eventually focusing on illustration. Munro is dedicated to using visual storytelling in illustration, animation, and writing to revitalize culture for future generations, helping them affirm their identity and place. He welcomes collaboration with others who share this mission.