About us
Tiaki Akoako is an Indigenous-led organisation grounded in Te Ao Māori, offering transformative perspectives on critical issues affecting Māori, Pacific, Aboriginal, and Torres Strait Islander communities. Our name reflects our mission: to nurture, protect, and uplift Indigenous ways of knowing in a rapidly evolving world.
We specialise in delivering innovative education and consultancy services that address the growing need for culturally grounded responses to radicalisation, online harms, and national security. Through wānanga, workshops, and training initiatives, we empower both youth and adults to develop critical thinking skills that resist extremism and uphold Indigenous values of connection, equity, and resilience. Tiaki Akoako is also focused on presenting the correct historical background of the Treaty of Waitangi and its impact on society today as well as the future.
Our programmes include:
Youth and adult critical thinking workshops focused on preventing radicalisation and building digital resilience through Indigenous frameworks.
- Te Tiriti o Waitangi training tailored for organisations across Aotearoa—such as YMCA, Laura Fergusson Trust, and Fulton Hogan—centred on the Treaty’s relevance to New Zealand’s changing demographics and its importance for our shared future.
- Consultancy in intelligence, security, and counter-terrorism, supporting iwi and communities to navigate the complex impacts of AI, algorithms, surveillance, and social media on Indigenous identity and sovereignty.
Tiaki Akoako is led by Gareth Jones, an Indigenous commentator, advisor, and academic with expertise in online harms, intelligence, and violent extremism. Gareth’s work amplifies Indigenous perspectives on global security issues, advocating for ethical, inclusive, and culturally responsive practices. He is a member of the Christchurch Call Advisory Network, contributes to the GIFCT Youth Radicalisation and Mobilisation working group, and is affiliated with the New Zealand Institute of Intelligence Professionals. Gareth's voice is widely recognised in international forums where he champions Indigenous digital safety, equity, and self-determination.
At Tiaki Akoako, we are committed to reimagining safety and security through Indigenous eyes—protecting the mana of our people while preparing our communities for the future.
