The Overview of the Whare
and the whenua inside
This is a multidisciplinary space where strategy, healing, and creative expression are built. Her work moves across communications, brand development, energetic facilitation, writing, voice, and sound. Each strand is distinct, but all are connected by a single through-line: to create work that is true, aligned, and deeply grounded in purpose.
With decades of experience across iwi, community, and national projects, Maria brings both structure and presence to everything she builds. Whether she’s designing messaging frameworks, voicing a campaign, guiding someone through healing, or developing audio-based resources, her approach is steady, intentional, and focused on what matters.
Āio is the full expression of her work — not a brand, but a body of practice drawn from lived experience, professional insight, and spiritual depth.
Whakarei: Te Tuanui
Creative Direction and Expression Design
Te Tuanui is the creative arm of Āio Studio.
It brings kaupapa to life through design, story, and communication.
This is where the message is shaped into clear, aligned expression. Maria works across brand language, narrative development, visual storytelling, publication design, and campaign content.
With experience across iwi, community, and national kaupapa, Maria brings clarity and creative direction to complex work. She holds the thread between vision and delivery to ensure consistency and impact across every output.
Te Tuanui gives the kaupapa its voice, its look, and its story — expressed in a way that reflects its depth and intention.
Mahara: Te Tūāpapa - The Foundation (in person)
Healing and Alignment for Mind, Spirit, and Emotions
Mahara supports breakthrough.
It is in-person work designed to shift the patterns, beliefs, and blocks that sit beneath the surface. The focus is on healing the baseline — the mindset, energy, and lived imprint that shapes how life is experienced.
This work is steady, grounded, and responsive. Sessions may include mirimiri, energy alignment, intuitive guidance, sound and frequency, or space to speak and reflect. Maria works with clarity and calm intent to help people move through what has held them back.
Mahara offers one-on-one healing, wānanga, group sessions, and tailored support. It includes body-based therapy, deep listening, and practical coaching for those navigating growth, change, or spiritual awakening.
The approach is direct. It meets people where they are and supports real movement. Mahara is for those ready to stop repeating the old story and build something stronger beneath the surface.
Mahara: (Digital Healing Resources)
Multi-Format Healing Suites for Reflection and Realignment
Supporting the inner work with accessible, intentional resources
It is the digital strand of Maria’s healing practice, offering clear, intentional tools to support breakthrough, reflection, and spiritual return.
Each resource is shaped by lived experience and grounded in purpose. The focus is on helping people reconnect with their centre, shift patterns, and build awareness beyond identity.
Mahara: Ngā Rawa includes sound-based tools for emotional release and energetic movement, healing journals to surface and integrate core patterns, and frequency-based resources designed for real spiritual challenge. It also offers cards for reflection, clarity, and grounded affirmation.
The tools are designed to be used in your own time, in your own way — accessible supports for those navigating grief, identity shifts, awakening, or the steady return to self.
Tūhono: Te Pou Tāhuhu
Strategic Architecture and Communications Systems Design
Tūhono is the foundation layer.
It is where the build begins.
This is the work of strategy, structure, and system design. Tūhono establishes the core framework that carries the kaupapa, idea, or business forward.
Maria works with kaupapa-led teams, founders, and organisations to map the architecture. This includes strategic planning, messaging structure, naming, values alignment, audience definition, and identifying the pou that hold the kaupapa in place.
Tūhono provides the clarity, order, and direction that supports everything to follow. It ensures the work is structurally sound and strategically aligned from the start.
Te Reo Rere: Voice Work and Audio Storytelling
Narrative Delivery and Audio Communications
Maria works with voice as a tool for connection. Her background spans iwi radio, bilingual narration, campaign voiceovers, kaupapa-led storytelling, and longform audio.
She has voiced content for Moana FM, Āti Awa Toa FM, Arawa FM, Bridge FM, The Heat FM, and Maniapoto FM. Her voice supports kaupapa at iwi, community, and national level, including projects like Our Place (Whakatāne District), Ngā Puaroa Horonuku (Tūhoe), Karanga (Waka Hourua), and Mataatua: The House That Came Home (BBC).
She is the voice of Mātauranga Māori, the latest publication by Sir Hirini Moko Mead.
Maria is currently composing the full soundscape for Tangihanga, a theatrical work by Krystal Neho. The sound design weaves karanga, original vocals, and atmospheric composition to support both the live show and future film version.
She brings clarity, timing, and intent to every voice project. Each piece is grounded in purpose and delivered to carry the kaupapa with care.