Te Tuanui: Creative Direction and

Design Expression

Your vision brought to life

End-to-end Build Out

Whakarei is the design and creative expression of Āio Studio. It supports people and organisations doing meaningful work through design, storytelling, writing, voice and sound.

The work spans publications, campaigns, brand development, social content, presentation decks and creative assets. This isn’t design for decoration. It is design that supports decisions, wānanga, whakapapa and the kaupapa at the centre of the work.

Storytelling is a layered process. Sometimes it is woven through words, carried through design or heard through sound. When these elements meet, something special happens. Your voice becomes clearer and your story arises.

STRATEGY. ARCHITECTURE. DESIGN. EXECUTION.

Whakarei brings the strategist, designer, writer, sound editor, voice artist and Māori communicator into one creative process. The cultural layers beneath the mahi are understood, and every part is carried from the first idea through to delivery.

Projects can be developed in English, te reo Māori or bilingually, with language and culture considered across the full scope of the work.

Recent Project


We were privileged to be the Design House of Pūkāea Magazine, a more-than-30 year old publication which will be brought back to life as a voice of Mātaatua.

Āio Studio is also the architect of the entire publication process, covering

-Brand development
-Marketing Strategy
-Website build
-Internal & external infrastucture
-Magazine & collateral design
-Publication processes
-Content repurposing system
-Social Media campaign design
-Editorial management

Creative Consultancy

Creative Direction & Design
Bringing kaupapa to life through clear, intentional visual storytelling.

  • Brand identity development

  • Report, publication, and resource design

  • Social media content design and campaign layout

  • Event and wānanga collateral

  • Visual alignment for kaupapa Māori initiatives

Writing & Story Development
Deep, layered, and values-based writing rooted in clarity and connection.

  • Copywriting for kaupapa Māori organisations

  • Profile and story development

  • Social copy with weight and depth

  • Whakataukī and reo Māori integration

  • Editing and language refining

Voice & Audio Production
Voice-led content that holds presence
and mauri.

  • Professional voiceover in te reo Māori and English

  • Audio storytelling (narration, kaupapa-based content, intros/outros)

  • Bilingual recording for kaupapa-aligned media

  • Light audio editing and production


    Visual Media & Content Creation
    Telling the story through compelling visuals.

  • Photography direction and shoot coordination

  • Kaupapa-aligned video storytelling

  • Short-form visual content for social platforms

  • Visual scripting and storyboarding

  • Light video editing and formatting

Full Portfolio

  • Dream it.

  • Build it.

  • Grow it.

  • Sell it.