Our Kaupapa
We empower community-led action towards generating positive social and environmental change through growing innovation and entrepreneurship
Kiko exists to catalyze innovation in Tairāwhiti, create sustainable business models, and make Tairāwhiti more prosperous and inclusive through the enormous potential of technology, creativity and entrepreneurship. Through empowering community-led action and collaboration, Kiko Innovation is at the forefront of driving the growth of innovation and entrepreneurship in Tairāwhiti.
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We are thought leaders, connectors and doers
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We disrupt, collaborate and create
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We seek to solve some of the most complex challenges facing our region, that no organisation or individual can solve alone
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We identify solutions through evidence-based data and research and ‘what works’ testing
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We have a passion for action and results
Meet the Team
Cain Kerehoma
Director / Innovator
Ngāti Raukawa, Muaupoko, Ngāti Porou
BA/LLB (Hons), LLM (Hons), PhD Student
Cain has worked across a range of sectors and disciplines including social policy and research, social enterprise development and indigenous community development. He lived in Canada working alongside First Nation communities on a number of innovative community development projects, including a significant health system transformation initiative in British Columbia. Since returning home to Aotearoa and to Te Tairāwhiti, Cain has been engaged in the social entrepreneurship and innovation sectors on a number of local and national initiatives. Cain is currently studying towards his PhD through Massey University. The title of his thesis is: Exploring indigenous models of social entrepreneurship and economic theory: the Aroha Economy.
Renay Charteris
Director
Ngāti Porou, Te Arawa
Born and raised in Ruatoria, Renay is a proud Nāti and is an master exponent of manaakitanga, teachings afforded to her in her upbringing. Renay is a central figure at Tāiki e! Impact House and operates within a humble leadership model (she didn't write this up!) She is a weaver of people and brings skills and expertise in event coordination, finance, administration and marketing. She has held finance roles with Kiwibank and BNZ. She is passionate about empowering whānau with the tools to create and define their own success.
Steph Barnett
Youth Entrepreneurship Coordinator
Enthusiastic, driven and outgoing, Steph has a strong sense of
purpose as a professional creative and as an educator. She brings a wide skillset and range of professional experience that includes animation, digital design, painting, teaching in schools, creative workshops, film acting, performing and directing for stage. Steph leads our Tāiki e! Next Gen kaupapa where she creates space and opportunity for rangatahi to grow their entrepreneurial and innovative capabilities and leadership.
Josh Cohen
Community Development Coordinator
Josh is originally from California. He is a professional photographer having studied at the New York Institute of Photography. He has travelled extensively throughout the world and always been entrepreneurial having started and managed a number of different businesses. Also an avid learner of permaculture principles, Josh is passionate about living sustainably with the land and empowering our community to access nutrient dense food. Josh supports the work with our rangatahi utilising his entrepreneurial experience, and also leads the engagement with the students engaged with the Dev Academy course.
