Helping people carry complex work

He Toka Tū Moana is the independent strategic practice of Kate Brown. I work alongside Indigenous communities, boards, leaders and organisations navigating complex change — strengthening governance, building trusted relationships and helping turn shared purpose into practical action.

Grounded in Indigenous knowledge and local leadership, I help people strengthen governance, build trust and turn shared purpose into practical next steps.

Turning shared purpose into practical next steps

How I Work

I work alongside people to strengthen governance, build trust and create ways of working that are more sustainable over time.

Indigenous and local first
Clearer roles and shared responsibility

Partnerships built on trust
Long-term thinking over short-term fixes

The work is shaped by context, relationships and what can genuinely be carried forward. Some engagements are focused and time-bound. Others involve longer-term advisory support, facilitation or partnership development.

How I can help

Governance and strategy

I support boards, trusts, committees and leadership groups to strengthen how they work, make decisions and carry responsibility.

This can include governance reviews, strategic advice, planning, board support, clearer roles and practical systems that help leadership be shared more sustainably.

Indigenous leadership and

community-centred process

I work alongside Indigenous communities and organisations in ways that respect tikanga, local authority and lived relationships.

This supports processes that are grounded, practical and genuinely owned by the people involved.

Carrying less coaching

I work alongside leaders and organisations navigating complex issues across governance, Indigenous leadership, biodiversity, ocean conservation and community development.

Together, we make sense of what matters most, identify practical next steps and create ways forward that people have the capacity to carry.

Partnerships and facilitation

I help people build trusted partnerships, work through complexity and create shared direction.

This includes facilitation, strategic conversations and support for collaborative work that needs care as well as momentum.

Learn more

Three smiling people holding drinks at an indoor event with a white curtain and chandelier in the background. The person in the middle is wearing red, while the ones on the sides are in dark and light business attire.

Three women smiling at a social event, one wearing glasses and a black dress, the second wearing a green leafy hat and black top, and the third wearing glasses and a bright colorful tropical shirt.

Two women standing beside a large vertical banner at the Island States Ocean Summit, held on June 3-4, 2026, in Tokyo, Japan. The banner features scenic island landscapes and logos of organizers, including The Nippon Foundation, UNESCO, and others.

A woman with dark hair pulled back, wearing glasses and a black blazer, sitting at a conference table with a notepad, pen, and water bottle, in front of a backdrop with flags from various countries. She appears to be attending a formal international meeting or conference.

Group of seven people standing in front of a wall with a sign that reads 'Jackson Institute for Global Affairs.'

Who I Work With

Island governments and regional organisations

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Indigenous communities and iwi

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International NGOs

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Donors and philanthropic funders

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Private sector working in island contexts

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Island governments and regional organisations 〰️ Indigenous communities and iwi 〰️ International NGOs 〰️ Donors and philanthropic funders 〰️ Private sector working in island contexts 〰️

I work with Indigenous communities, boards, trusts and organisations carrying complex work that matters.

I work best with people who value relationships, shared responsibility and practical change that can be carried forward over time.

If you are carrying work that feels important, complex or heavier than it should be, I would be glad to hear from you.

Get in touch

Contact Kate