What guides us
Helping people carry important work
He Toka Tū Moana
He Toka Tū Moana speaks to steadiness in rough water — a rock that stands firm in the sea.
That idea sits at the heart of this practice. Not certainty for its own sake, and not control, but steadiness: the ability to stay with complexity, listen well, and help people find a way forward that is grounded, practical and true to their context.
Founded by Kate Brown, He Toka Tū Moana brings together governance, Indigenous leadership, partnerships and practical support for people carrying important work.
Extensive experience working across grassroots communities, formal institutions, and global networks.
Experience includes work with and alongside:
Island Conservation
Mangatawa Marae
International Union for the Conservation of Nature
Secretariat of the Pacific Environment Programme
Mangatawa Papamoa Blocks Incorporated
Coastal500 Advisory Committee
Global Island Partnership
SIDS Partnership Accelerator
Local2030 Islands Network
Great Barrier Reef Foundation
Govts and communities across Pacific and beyond
Global Conventions and Policy Processes
Philanthropic foundations and funders
United Nations agencies and multilateral processes
World Bank
Small Islands Organisation
Kate Brown is a strategic adviser, facilitator and governance practitioner with more than 20 years’ experience working across communities, partnerships, biodiversity, ocean conservation, climate resilience and international policy.
Her work is grounded in a simple observation: many of the people carrying the most important work are carrying too much, often without enough clarity, support or shared responsibility around them. Through He Toka Tū Moana, Kate works alongside communities, boards, leaders and organisations to make sense of complexity, strengthen relationships and help create conditions where good work can be carried more sustainably.
Kate brings experience across local and international settings, with an approach that is relational, practical and shaped by context.
Kate Brown - Founder and Principal Consultant
Work with Kate Brown through He Toka Tū Moana
He Toka Tū Moana offers strategic advisory support for people and organisations carrying complex work.
Kate works alongside people to strengthen governance, support collaboration, clarify direction and help good work move forward in practical, grounded ways.