EHF Fellow Nikora Ngaropo (Te Rarawa, Tuhoe, Ngāti Porou, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahungunu) is tackling the underrepresentation of Māori and Pasifika professionals in the technology and creative sectors.

With over 18 years of experience in creative roles, including serving as a technical director at Wētā Digital, Nikora is an experienced figure in animation, art direction, and design. However, eight years ago, motivated by the desire to serve as a role model for rangatahi (young people), Nikora redirected his focus towards education. Through this transition, Nikora is looking to bridge the gap and create opportunities for indigenous youth, while also fostering cultural connectivity and driving systemic change in Aotearoa New Zealand.

“I decided to take a step back from the film industry and look at the skills that I had, which were in animation, and then apply those into education, because I just wasn’t seeing a lot of Māori faces and Polynesian faces coming through the doors into these areas … Part of the reason I moved into the education space was to open up some doors, and I felt that I had more to give back in terms of our communities and role modelling. Our rangatahi need to be able to see themselves in these spaces.”

Empowering Aotearoa NZ’s rangatahi through Young Animators Programme

In 2017, Nikora founded NNMD (Nikora Ngaropo Motion Design), and the Young Animators programme, an educational initiative that inspires digital literacy and creative expression among rangatahi. Through the programme, students are introduced to the fundamentals of 2D hand-drawn animation and 3D stop motion techniques, allowing them to explore creative expression and technological innovation. The programme focuses on culturally responsive teaching methodologies, incorporating mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) into the curriculum. Infusing storytelling with technology, the programme encourages young learners to explore their cultural heritage while developing essential digital skills.

Nikora emphasises the significance of this approach by stating:

“The power with where we are right now - and we talk about this a lot with our young people - is that there is no reason why they can’t be creators. There’s no reason why they can’t be developing content, or just sending out their own messages of things that they’re interested in. … And so what I’m saying to our young people now is find the things you’re passionate about and start talking about them.”

The success of NNMD’s Young Animators programme in Aotearoa NZ is evident, as Nikora reflects:

“We’re now seeing these rangatahi move into jobs or going on to higher learning and studying animation or doing film, and so you see that change starting to happen quite rapidly now. And with the accessibility to different platforms and tech, our rangatahi are living in a space where they can have a voice.”

Nurturing talent beyond borders

Nikora isn’t only witnessing the transformative power of technology on young minds in Aotearoa NZ. He has also facilitated workshops in southeast Asia, which sees him regularly visiting Thailand and Malaysia. Last year, Nikora led a group of Māori delegates in Thailand, where they hosted the first Hautapu (dawn ceremony), launching ASEAN Matariki 2023. This event not only celebrated cultural exchange but also marked the beginning of a significant educational initiative. As part of this initiative, Nikora conducted animation workshops with local Thai rangatahi, introducing them to the world of digital creativity and storytelling, and providing valuable technical skills. The impact of these workshops has been profound, leading to the establishment of a tech programme in the schools.

“The Young Animators programme has been doing a lot of work with rangatahi on the ground in Thailand, with kids ranging from 8 to 13 years old - so they’re still at an age where they're curious and eager to learn. Our goal was to expose them to technology and provide them with valuable skills. We’ve been really fortunate to work in that space with Young Animators, doing something worthwhile on the ground, which has now resulted in them having a tech programme there.”

Talent development for all ages

Nikora also delivered the TORO Academy through NNMD, under TORO Studios, where he served as Director, to provide practical, industry-focused education for learners of all ages, addressing critical gaps in talent development for the digital economy. Building upon the success of the Young Animators programme, the TORO Academy has emerged as a vital platform for nurturing local talent, with 95% of graduates offered work both internationally and domestically, showcasing the effectiveness of culturally grounded education in preparing up-and-coming professionals for global opportunities.

“We’ve got students that are working at an international level on great projects, doing amazing stuff now. And it’s really heartfelt because they’re all Māori. In terms of growing that capability and capacity, that’s starting to happen now.”

TORO Founders and Directors: Barry Souter, Sam Witters, Nikora Ngaropo, Shanon O'Connor

Advocacy and leadership

Nikora's leadership and impact extend beyond his educational ventures. As the first Māori to be inducted into the Asia 21 Young Leaders forum and a previous council member for the Digital Council for Aotearoa, he has actively shaped digital and data-driven initiatives, advocating for diversity, inclusion, and innovation. His contributions have earned him recognition as a champion of indigenous perspectives and a trailblazer in the tech industry. Nikora's advocacy transcends mere representation; it encompasses a deep commitment to fostering Māori visibility and influence in the tech sector. Through his involvement in Te Ao Matihiko, a Māori governance body around technology, he collaborates with fellow Māori tech experts to expose more Māori to tech careers and provide them with the resources and support needed to excel.

Reflecting on his journey, Nikora shares:

“Moving into the different spaces of governance, I’ve helped to design and implement the new digital curriculum. And when I was sitting on the Digital Council for Aotearoa, I was advising Ministers, which gave me the opportunity to create change.”

He further elaborates on his multifaceted approach, stating:

“Part of what we try to do within our programmes is to operate within communities across Aotearoa at a localised level. But on the other end of that, we’re also engaged in governance spaces - through Te Ao Matihiko and in other governmental spheres - advising in various areas, including MBIE. I think you need that - firstly to influence at the government and systemic levels and then to take action on the ground, bridging the two.”

Envisioning the Future

As Aotearoa NZ confronts the rapid advancements in technology, including AI, Nikora envisions a future where indigenous youth actively shape the digital landscape. NNMD is at the forefront of this vision, continually innovating to integrate emerging technologies into its programmes, such as text-to-video technology. By leveraging tools like AI, the Young Animators programme is allowing students to transition from passive consumers to active creators in the digital realm.

Nikora highlights the significance of this evolution, saying:

“We're entering a pivotal phase where AI integration is reshaping everything. It's an exciting time for creation, as this technology removes barriers, emphasising ideas over technical skills. It's about unleashing creativity without the need for extensive technical training. While high-end projects still demand expertise, there's a wide-open space for exploration and experimentation in the lower to mid-tier projects.”

Empowering the next generation

Through these concerted efforts, Nikora is equipping rangatahi with the skills and adaptability essential for success in today's rapidly evolving tech and digital arts landscape, while also fostering a new generation of leaders. With a commitment to innovation, inclusion, and empowerment, Nikora's work through NNMD is not just about preparing indigenous youth for the future, but also about empowering them to take the reins and actively shape the digital age.