6 | REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Tektus T T Karen Phelps Māori worldview at company’s core Jack Turner and Emily Afoa - a focus on tāngata – people. Tektus strives to reflect Te Tiriti o Waitangi partnership throughout it’s business operations, says one of the company’s directors Emily Afoa. Emily (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Maniapoto) joined Tektus in 2018 bringing environmental and engineering experience gained through roles in tertiary institutions, local government, and consultancy firms. She joins company founder Jack Turner, who formed Tektus in early 2015 and has qualifications and experience over 15 years across engineering, environmental and planning disciplines and through roles in construction, local government and consultancy firms. The pair met in engineering school and aim to form a distinct multi-disciplinary consultancy practice with strong values and a focus on tāngata – people. Emily says a Māori worldview informs the work the company does. “While our expertise and core skills are technically focused it’s our ability to understand the relationship tangata whenua have with whenua (land) and wai (water) that strengthens the outcomes we can produce,” she says. A good example is the company’s work on a development in Paeroa where Tektus provided stormwater management expertise. “There was a piece of network that needed upgrading. It was in poor condition and had insufficient capacity to convey stream flows. Rather than replacing with a new pipe, we looked at daylighting that pipe network and turning it back into a stream corridor. “This approach was supported through our iwi engagement. There is resilience to the risk of increased flow re climate change but it also speaks to the connectivity of our water systems and the intrinsic value they hold. “Through one lens we obtained a cost-effective solution that mitigates flooding impacts while through another lens we are enhancing the mauri (life force) of that stream, connecting the flow of water and restoring ecological systems.” The growing Tektus team benefits from Te Toi-o-ngā-rangi, the company’s Te Ao Māori capability programme. “It’s the building block for our team to practise our professions in a way that demonstrates respect for te reo and tikanga, for Te Ao Māori,” says Emily. “It’s the building block for our team to practise our professions in a way that demonstrates respect for te reo and tikanga, for Te Ao Māori.” “It’s our commitment as a business to grow our team’s knowledge and a foundation for us to grow as a company. We have weekly sessions connecting with various topics such as Te Tiriti and Te Mana o te Wai, enabling time to wānanga as a team about what was learned, where the challenges are and how we can apply the knowledge in a culturally appropriate way etc.” Tektus is a member of Amotai, which works with government, corporate and iwi organisations to unlock procurement opportunities and enable meaningful connections with Māori and Pasifika businesses. It has helped connect Tektus with suppliers such as Native Digital and, through another Amotai member, Quad Consulting. Tektus offers a range of professional services, and its collaborative nature enables the team to work effectively with other like-minded specialists to deliver the highest quality outcomes, says Emily. The company’s expertise spans civil, environmental, and land development engineering, stormwater modelling, flood assessments, nature-based design and more. In addition to engineering services, Tektus specialises in environmental assessment and compliance and resource management planning with a core focus on water systems. “Tektus is not just a consultancy firm; it is a philosophy that embraces collaboration, sustainability, and a commitment to understanding the needs of people and the environment,” Emily says. “With core values as our guiding light, Tektus continues to shape a sustainable future for generations to come creating better outcomes for us all.” Tektus offers a range of professional services, and its collaborative nature enables the team to work effectively with other specialists to deliver the highest quality outcomes.
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