Our team

Anne-Marie Jackson is our Amorangi ki mua, the Kaihautū Managing Director and co-Founder of Rehutai. Danny Poa is our Hapai ō ki muri the Chief Operating Officer and co-Founder of Rehutai. We have worked together in kaupapa Māori organisations for the past 5 years and we bring our shared passion, different skillsets, for our kaupapa of Rehutai.

We are based in Dunedin, New Zealand, and provide support across the motu.

  • Co-Founder | Kaihautū Managing Director 

    Nō ngā iwi o Ngāti Whātua, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Wai, Ngāti Kahu o Whangaroa ia.

    Anne-Marie’s passion is undertaking mahi that uplifts the hopes and aspirations of Māori communities through:

    • excellent research and teaching broadly in hauora Māori, kaupapa Māori and mātauranga Māori

    • providing advice in Māori strategy, leadership and organisational culture

    • enhancing the mana of people.

    Anne-Marie has had a successful, award winning career over the past 15+ years as a kaupapa Māori researcher, academic, teacher and leader within the tertiary sector. She is an Ahorangi Professor.

    She is a current director of the National Centre of Research Excellence Coastal People: Southern Skies.

    She holds an Adjunct Professorial role at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington in Te Tātai Hauora o Hine National Centre for Women's Health Research Aotearoa.

    She successfully led the kaupapa Māori research group Te Koronga for over 10 years where she nurtured the next generation of kaupapa Māori scholars.

    She is also a member of the Institute of Directors. She has held numerous governance and advisory roles. She is a Director of the New Zealand Māori Rugby Board.

  • Qualifications

    • Dip Te Pīnakitanga ki Te Reo Kairangi, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa (2015)

    • Dip Te Ara Reo Māori, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa (2012)

    • PhD in Māori studies and hauora Māori, University of Otago (2011)

    • MPhEd, University of Otago (2007)

    • BPhEd(Hons), University of Otago (2004)

    Awards

    • Ako Aotearoa National Tertiary Teaching Excellence Award Kaupapa Māori (2020)

    • University of Otago Rowheath Trust Award and Carl Smith Medal, Excellence in Research (2020)

    • Royal Society Te Apārangi Te Kōpūnui Māori Research Award (2019)

    • Kaupapa Māori University of Otago Award for Excellence in Teaching (2019)

    • University of Otago Division of Sciences Māori/Pacific Content Innovation in Teaching Award (2017)

    • National Academic Women in Leadership Programme (2016)

    • Otago University Student Association Supervisor of the Year (2016)

    • Otago University Student Association Division of Sciences Supervisor of the Year (2016)  

    • University of Otago Women In Leadership, Academic Leadership Programme (2016)

    • University of Otago Division of Sciences Māori/Pacific Content Innovation in Teaching Award (2015)

    • Nelson, J., Jackson, A.-M., Phillips, C., Poa, D., & Skelton, T. K. (2023). Te Papa Tākaro o te Tuakiri: The field of identity in Indigenous Māori rugby. Journal of Sport for Development, 11(1).

    • Phillips, C., & Jackson, A.-M. (2023). Waka, whanaungatanga and water safety: Using Indigenous knowledge to educate future aquatic educators about Māori water safety in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Journal of Sport for Development, 11(1). Retrieved from https://jsfd.org/

    • Hanara, B., Jackson, A.-M., & Hakopa, H. (2023). Te Āheinga Pū Reretahi: A foundational Māori perspective of the wairoro. MAI Journal, 12(1), 82-92. doi: 10.20507/MAIJournal.2023.12.1.8

    • Mita, N., Jackson, A.-M., Flack, B., Flack, S., Bryant, V., & Hakopa, H. (2023). Hauteruruku ki Puketeraki: Connecting to te ao Takaroa. MAI Journal, 12(1), 71-81. doi: 10.20507/MAIJournal.2023.12.1.7

    • Raureti, T., Jackson, A.-M., & Cunningham, C. (2023). Mukukai: Kaitiaki o te ao kauhoe: The influence of swimming on whānau engagement with the water. MAI Journal, 12(1), 60-70. doi: 10.20507/MAIJournal.2023.12.1.6

    • Karaka, D., Jackson, A.-M., & Hakopa, H. (2023). Towards a kaupapa Māori fitness gym: A Bourdieusian analysis. MAI Journal, 12(1), 47-59. doi: 10.20507/MAIJournal.2023.12.1.5

    • Penetito-Hemara, N., Jackson, A.-M., & Cunningham, C. (2023). Whakawhiti te rā: A whakapapa approach to protecting haka as a taonga within sport settings in Aotearoa. MAI Journal, 12(1), 36-46. doi: 10.20507/MAIJournal.2023.12.1.4

    • Cunningham, C., Jackson, A.-M., & Hakopa, H. (2023). Walking our pepeha: The influence of whakapapa on health and well-being. MAI Journal, 12(1), 15-24. doi: 10.20507/MAIJournal.2023.12.1.2

    • Jackson, A.-M., Cunningham, C., Poa, D., Phillips, C., & Hapeta, J. (Eds.). (2023). MAI Journal, 12(1) [Special Issue: Tēnei tātou Te Koronga Māori research excellence] doi: 10.20507/MAIJournal.2023.12.1.10. [Guest Editors].

    • Oetzel, J. G., Zhang, Y., Nock, S., Meha, P., Huriwaka, H., Vercoe, M., … Rewi, P., … Jackson, A.-M., Perry, T., … Hokowhitu, B. (2023). Enhancing health outcomes for Māori elders through an intergenerational cultural exchange and physical activity programme: A cross-sectional baseline study [Brief research report]. Frontiers in Public Health, 11, 1307685. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1307685

    • Smale, D., Thomsen, M., Bennett, S., Duarte, C. M., Eger, A., Filbee-Dexter, K., … Hepburn, C. D., Jackson, A.-M., … Pérez-Lloréns, J. L. (2023). Biodiversity and ecosystem services. In K. Filbee-Dexter, S. Lutz, G. Grimsditch, L. Jonsson, G. Sander & H. Gundersen (Eds.), Into the blue: Securing a sustainable future for kelp forests. (pp. 45-70). Nairobi, Kenya: United Nations Environment Programme. Retrieved from https://wedocs.unep.org/20.500.11822/42255

    • Hokowhitu, B., Oetzel, J., Jackson, A., Simpson, M., Ruru, S., Cameron, M., Zhang, Y., Erueti, B., Rewi, P., Nock, S. & Warbrick, I. (2022). Mana motuhake, Indigenous biopolitics and health. AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples, 18(1), 104-113. doi:10.1177/11771801221088448

    • Price, M., Winter, K. B., & Jackson, A. (2021). Towards resilience in the Anthropocene: Transforming conservation biology through Indigenous perspectives [Foreword].Pacific Conservation Biology,27(4), 309-319.doi: 10.1071/PCv27n4_FO

    • Jackson, A., Rewi, T., Hakopa, H., Phillips, C., Russell, P., Parr-Brownlie, L. C., Hulbe, C., Leoni, G., Mita, N., Hepburn, C., Wikaira, J., ... Elder, H. (2020). Towards building an Indigenous Science Tertiary Curriculum (Part 2). New Zealand Science Review, 76(1-2), 25-31.

    • Hokowhitu, B., Oetzel, J. G., Simpson, M. L., Nock, S., Reddy, R., Meha, P., . . . Kirsten Johnston, K., Jackson, A., Erueti, B., Rewi, P., Warbrick, I., Cameron M. P., Zhang, Y. & Ruru, S. (2020). Kaumātua Mana Motuhake Pōi: a study protocol for enhancing wellbeing, social connectedness and cultural identity for Māori elders. BMC Geriatrics, 20(377), 1-15. doi:10.1186/s12877-020-01740-3

    • Jackson, A. & Mercier, O. (2020). Mātauranga and science II: Introduction. New Zealand Science Review, 76(1-2), 3-5.

    • Button, C., Button, A. J., Jackson, A., Cotter, J. D., & Maraj, B. (2020). Teaching foundational aquatic skills to children in open water environments. International Journal of Aquatic Research & Education, 13(1), 1. doi: 10.25035/ijare.13.01.01

    • Jackson, A., Mita, N. & Phillips C. (2019). Tāngata Moana: Connecting People to the Ocean. Te Pouhere Kōrero.

      Jackson, A., Hakopa, H., Phillips, C., Parr-Brownlie, L. C., Russell, P., Hulbe, C., Rewi, T., Leoni, G., Mita, N., Jackson, S., Poa, D., Hepburn, C., Wikaira, J., ... Elder, H. (2019). Towards building an Indigenous Science Tertiary Curriculum. New Zealand Science Review, 75(4), 69-73.

    • Mercier, O., & Jackson, A.-M. (2019). Mātauranga and science: Introduction. New Zealand Science Review, 75(4), 63-64.

    • Hepburn, C. D., Russell, P., Smith, A. K., Pritchard, D. W., Leahy, E. O., Coyle, L., Flack, B., Russell, K., Vanderburg, P. H., Dale, M., & Jackson, A.-M. (2019). Teaching the next generation of scientists to support communities in their restoration of ecosystems and ways of life.New Zealand Science Review, 75(4), 80-86.

    • Hepburn, C. D., Jackson, A., Pritchard, D. W., Scott, N., Vanderburg, P. H., & Flack, B. (2019). Challenges to traditional management of connected ecosystems within a fractured regulatory landscape: A case study from southern New Zealand. Aquatic Conservation. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1002/aqc.3152

    • Jackson, A., Phillips, C., Cunningham, C., & Mita, N. (2018). Wāhine Māori reflections on Wai. Junctures(19), 1-12.

    • Jackson, A. (2018). How tikanga shapes identity. Junctures(19), 2-4.

    • Clapcott, J., Ataria, J., Hepburn, C., Hikuroa, D., Jackson, A., Kirikiri, R. & Williams, E. (in press). Mātauranga Māori shaping marine and freshwater futures. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research(Mātauranga Māori).

    • Jackson, A., Hepburn, C., & Flack, B. (2018). East Otago Taiāpure: sharing the underlying philosophies 26 years on. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research(Mātauranga Māori), 1-13. doi:10.1080/00288330.2018.1536066

    • Jackson, A., & Leoni, G. (2018). East Otago Taiāpure: sharing the underlying philosophies 26 years on. Te Reo Māori Translation. Supplementary text. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research(Mātauranga Māori), 1-14. doi:10.1080/00288330.2018.1536066

    • Phillips, C., Jackson, A. & Hakopa, H. (2016). Creation narratives of mahinga kai: Māori customary food gathering sites and practices. MAI Journal, 5(1), 65-75.

    • Hauteruruku ki Puketeraki, Jackson, A., Mita, N., Kerr, H., Jackson, S., & Phillips, C. (2016). One Day a Waka for Every Marae: A Southern Approach to Māori Water Safety. Physical Educator - Journal of Physical Education New Zealand, 49(1), 26-28.

    • Jackson, A. (2015). The Mauri that Binds Us. Scope. Contemporary Research Topics, Kaupapa Kai Tahu(3), 72-78.

    • Flack, B., Jackson, A., Phillips, C., & Vanderburg, P. (2015). Ki Uta Ki Tai: Kā Taoka i Ahu Mai. Scope. Contemporary Research Topics, Kaupapa Kai Tahu(3), 12- 17.

    • Flack, B., Flack, S., Ferrall-Heath, H., Kerr, H., Jackson, A., Hakopa, H., & Mita, N. (2015). Hauteruruku ki Puketeraki - Haunui ki Te Waipounamu. Scope. Contemporary Research Topics, Kaupapa Kai Tahu(3), 25-33.

    • Jackson, A. (2015). Kaupapa Māori theory and Critical Discourse Analysis: Transformation and Social Change. AlterNative.

    • Jackson, A. (2013). A discursive analysis of rangatiratanga in a Māori fisheries context. MAI Journal, 1(2), 3-17.

    • Jackson, A. (2013). Erosion of Māori fishing rights in customary fisheries management. Waikato Law Review.

    • Jackson, A. (2008). Epistemological assumptions and dual roles of community- centred researchers. MAI Review (3), 1-6.

    • Jackson, A. (2008). Towards understanding indigenous knowledge in environmental management practise: A discursive analysis of the East Otago taiāpure proposal. MAI Review (1), 1-15.

    Peer reviewed book chapters, books edited

    • Mercier, O.R & Jackson, A. (2023). Indigenous Science Discourse in the Mainstream: The Case of ‘Mātauranga and Science’ in New Zealand Science Review. In E. Rasekoala (Ed.), Race & Socio-cultural Inclusion in Science Communication: Innovation, Decolonisation and Transformation. (Bristol: Bristol University Press).

    • Jackson, A. (2021). E kore te waka e whakapakari i runga i te wai marino. A waka is not strengthened through calm waters In J. Ruru & L. W. Nikora (Eds.), Ngā Kete Mātauranga. Mātauranga Māori at the Interface (pp. 232-241). Dunedin: Otago University Press.

    • Jackson, A., Baxter, J., & Hakopa, H. (2018). Hauora Māori: He Tīmatanga: Māori health: An introduction. In M. Reilly, S. Duncan, G. Leoni, L. Paterson, L. Carter, M. Rātima & P. Rewi (Eds.), Te Kōparapara: An introduction to the Māori world. (pp. 324-342). Auckland, New Zealand: Auckland University Press.

    • Hakopa, H., Jackson, A., Mita, N., & Cunningham, C. (2017). Te Koronga: Mapping case studies. In H. Whaanga, T. T. Keegan & M. Apperley (Eds.), He Whare Hangarau Māori: Language, culture & technology. (pp. 108-121). Hamilton, New Zealand: University of Waikato.

     Other forms of dissemination (reports for clients, technical reports, popular press, etc)

    Special Issue Journals

    I have co-edited five special issue journals.

    Research Reports

    • Raureti, T., Jackson, A., Phillips, C, Poa, D & Button, C. (2019). He taonga tuku iho: Māori data sovereignty in Water Safety New Zealand. Dunedin: University of Otago. Report prepared for Water Safety New Zealand.

    • Button, C., Button, A., Jackson, A, Cotter, J., & Maraj, B. (2019). Developing a first principles approach to educating water skills for life to children. 46p. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10523/8981. Report prepared for Water Safety New Zealand.

    • Jackson, A., Mita, N,. & Hakopa, H. (2017). Hui-te-ana-nui: Understanding Kaitiakitanga in the Marine Environment. Dunedin: University of Otago, Te Koronga, Te Tiaki Mahinga Kai, National Science Challenge Sustainable Seas.

    • van Halderen, L., Russell, P., Pritchard, D., Brownstein, G., Paterson, R., Dale, M. Jackson A., & Flack, B. (2016). He Pātaka Wai Ora Project. Environmental Monitoring on the Waikouaiti River. Dunedin: University of Otago, Kāti Huirapa ki Puketeraki.

    Relevant Research Hui and Wānanga Presentations

    Anne-Marie has also presented and led numerous research wānanga throughout New Zealand. Her teams have produced multiple reports, internship reports, press releases (English and Te Reo), wānanga and also online social media presences for dissemination of research. Furthermore, through this work they have co-curated four exhibitions.

  • Co-Founder, Director

    Nō ngā iwi o Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou me Ngāpuhi ia.

    Danny has strong interests in the social issues that affect whānau including criminal justice, child welfare and whānau ora. Danny is draw to tautoko organisations that are of service to others and are connected to his values.

    • Principal Advisor, Survivor Voice and Insights Crown Response Unit - Abuse in Care (2023 - Present)

    • Senior Advisor, Te Tiriti Engagement Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry (2022 - 2023)

    • Kaitiaki Kaupapa/Relationship and Engagement Manager Coastal Peoples Southern Skies National Centre of Research Excellence (2021 - 2023)

    • Kaitiaki Kaupapa/Relationship and Engagement Manager. Te Koronga Indigenous Science Research Theme - University of Otago (2019 - 2022)

    • Advocate, Child Rights, UNICEF Aotearoa (2018 - 2019)

    • Māori Rights and Engagement/ Restorative Justice Co-ordinator (2015 - 2017)

    • Master of Business Administration (MBA) University of Otago (2022)

    • Bachelor of Arts (Hons), Criminology, Te Herenga Waka Victoria University (2015)

    • Bachelor of Science, Psychology, Te Herenga Waka Victoria University (2014)

    • Restorative Justice facilitator

    • Advocate for children in state care via the complaints scheme

    • Delegate to the UN Permanent Forum for Indigenous Issues

    • JustSpeak representative presenter at the NZ UN Universal Periodic

    • Review on youth age of criminalisation

    • Volunteer JustSpeak co-ordinator Whiti te rā

    • Parenting Through Separation facilitator

    • Wellington Creative Communities Panel Member

    • Māori performing artist and mentor

    • Otago Māori Rugby Board Member

    • Kaupapa Māori

Our Kōrero

We are a whānau Māori business co-owned by Danny Poa and Anne-Marie Jackson, who are brother and sister-in-laws. Our business was founded to allow our whānau to embody our own mana motuhake (self-determination), using our pūkenga (skills) and time for kaupapa that drive transformative impact in Aotearoa.

Our name, Rehutai, is derived from our pūrākau (ancestral knowledge). In the ancient whare wānanga (schools of learning), there were two mauri stones that learners swollowed - one was hukatai and the other was rehutai. Ngāpuhi philosopher, the late Rev Māori Marsden[1] used a metaphor of a canoe sailing on the ocean towards the rising sun at dawn to explain the relationship between mātauranga (knowledge) and mōhiotanga (knowing). Behind and alongside the canoe you will see the seafoam or hukatai created by the sailing canoe which symbolises the pathways of knowledge and experiences of one’s learning journey. As one travels towards the rising sun rehutai may appear as a rainbow within the seafoam alongside the waka symbolising the arrival at the state of knowing and enlightenment. This metaphor explains that the rainbow and thus knowing appears only when the right people are heading in the right direction at the right time.

[1] Marsden, M (2003). In Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal (Ed.) The Woven Universe: Selected Writings of Rev Māori Marsden. Otaki, New Zealand: Estate of Rev. Māori Marsden.

The prow of Hiwa-i-te-rangi waka belonging to Hauteruruku ki Puketeraki Waka Club. Our late karani, Celia Parore, spent many hours lovingly sanding and caring for this kuaka during her build.

Our tohu represents the pathways of knowledge and learning on our collective journey. It is about transformation and growth. Designed by Nikki Kennedy of Taputapu the tohu is three whenu that are overlapping each other to represent a collective, community and support.

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