Our People

CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT & ASSOCIATE INSTITUTE OF DIRECTORS

DIRECTOR

Matthew Davis is a passionate business coach that aims to help businesses achieve a healthy balance between the three freedoms - mind, time, and financial. He helps them do this through business best practices by setting goals and working with the client to achieve their goals. Matthew comes from a background working for a high-end accounting firm in Queenstown as an adviser and has great technical knowledge around tax and business structures. As well as being a Chartered Accountant, Matthew is also an associate member of the Institute of Directors. He specialises in high-level accounting work with large organisations in Whakatāne and Tauranga . Matthew brings a valuable skill set around financial forecasting, budgets, strategic accounting work, a natural ability with IT (A Certified Xero Super User) and a good understanding of how to improve internal systems for improving efficiencies.

Matthew owns several small businesses and has an in-depth knowledge of the struggles a small business goes through. He is a family man, valuing the time he spends with his wife (Te Āti Awa) and 3 daughters and is full of surprises too – he has a pilot license among many others.

Education

Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand

Chartered Accountant, 2015

B.Bus (Accounting), 2012

B.Av (Aviation), 2002

ASSOCIATE CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT

CEO

Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Tuwharetoa, Te Atihaunui-a-Pāpārangi

Tania-Rose has a passion for helping her clients kanohi ki te kanohi.

She has experience with accounting for Māori Trusts, Farms, Companies, Partnerships, Sole Traders and Charitable entities along with skills in applying for funding for not-for-profit organisations.

She also has a background in dairy farming, previously farming in both the north and deep south and is a trustee on a Māori land block in the King Country. She currently lives with her whanāu on a farmlet at Onepū.

Passionate about sport and the community, Tania-Rose is involved with coaching and managing school and representative sports teams and working with clubs, churches, kōhanga and other non-profit organisations.

Education

Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand

Associate Chartered Accountant, 2017

B.Bus (Accounting), 2016

ASSOCIATE CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT

Whakatōhea

Tanisha describes herself as an Ōpotiki local who is most likely related to everyone in town.

Tanisha is a full member of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand as an Associate Chartered Accountant.

She has always been passionate about client relationships and understanding that every client has their own specific set of circumstances and therefore requires their individual needs met, no matter how big or how small that client is. “This is all part of providing a service that is more than just accounting.”

With just under 10 years in the industry she brings with her a variety of knowledge and experience.

Recently returning from maternity leave and with the addition of their new son, time outside of work is spent with her whānau.

Education

Bachelor of Business Studies (Accounting major)

Diploma in Business Management

CONSULTANT

Ngāti Awa, Te Whakatōhea, Te Whānau a Apanui, Ngā Puhi

Trina has a hands-on people-first approach to ensure her clients are supported in an environment that they are comfortable with to empower their success.

Trina is passionate about and enjoys working with Māori Trusts, Kōhanga Reo, Kura, Marae, Charitable Entities and is often seen working in amongst the community sharing her accountancy experience.

PROJECT & DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT

Ngāti Pāoa, Ngāti Koroki Kahukura

Ray is originally from Tāmaki Makaurau and has lived and worked in the Bay of Plenty since 1998. He has a BSc in Environmental and Marine Sciences and more than 20-years professional experience working in the environmental and resource management field.

Ray has previously worked as a regulatory specialist with the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and served Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa and Ngāti Awa Group Holdings Ltd as their Environmental & Property Manager.

Ray holds detailed technical knowledge of environmental and resource management issues, and has participated in formal resource management processes at local, regional and national levels.

INTERMEDIATE ACCOUNTANT

Ngāti Awa, Tūhoe, Ngāti Tūwharetoa

Born and bred Te Teko local, Minta has experience working in local Chartered Accounting firms with monthly accounting, payroll and annual accounting and is passionate about helping our people.

Minta has her NZ Diploma in Business majoring in Accounting and is working towards her Accounting Technician's accreditation with Chartered Accountants of Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ). Outside of mahi, Minta enjoys spending time with her whānau especially out riding horses and travelling the motu competing in the rodeo circuit.

Education

Waiariki Institute of Technology

D.Bus (Accounting), 2014

ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT

Ngāti Maniapoto

Rongo is one of our newest members to the Ake team.

Relocating to Whakatane from Piopio in the King Country, Rongo has experience in secretarial and administration roles. She enjoys learning and feels privileged to work for Ake. She believes this will enable her to support her whānau back home and other organisations to achieve their aspirations within a tikanga Māori approach.

CLIENT SERVICES ADMINISTRATOR

Tūhoe

Orijhan was born and raised in Kawerau. She is the face at our reception desk who has a passion for helping her community and people.

Orijhan holds a Bachelor of International Tourism Management degree and has over 8 years customer service experience.

Outside of mahi, Orijhan enjoys training at our local Crossfit gym, participating in team sports and spending time with her whānau and friends.

JUNIOR ACCOUNTANT

Ngāti Tūwharetoa

Maia is our newest team member and assists Ake’s senior team with accounting and administration services for a range of clients. Originally from Tauranga, Maia lives in Kawerau and is also currently studying for her Diploma in Business. She says a highlight of working at Ake is being able to work alongside, support and learn from Māori businesses.

PRACTICE MANAGER

Born and bred Whakatāne local, Kate has experience working in local Chartered Accounting firms with payroll and administration, and is passionate about helping our people.

Kate has her NZ Certificate in Business Administration. Outside of mahi, Kate enjoys spending time with her friends and whānau especially exploring the area and swimming at our local spots.

CONSULTANT

Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Tuwharetoa

Kawerau-raised Jane is one of the newest members of the Ake Projects team. Skilled in policy, facilitation and research, Jane has extensive experience working for local and national Government organisations, including the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, the Māori Land Court and Waitangi Tribunal. She holds a BA in Iwi Environmental Management.

Jane is also an experienced Māori Land Trustee, and has strong networks across the Bay of Plenty.

“Helping Māori achieve their potential is what I love to do,” she says, “Whether it’s through project management, research or policy.”

Outside of mahi, Jane has a passion for whakapapa, music, nature and learning.