Nikki Penetito-Hemara

About NIKKI

Nikki was born and raised in the vibrant metropolis of Manurewa. The moment you meet her, you’ll feel like you’ve known each other forever, like cuzzies from the Pā. It’s a rare feeling, especially when you find out she’s spent decades leading multidisciplinary teams in health and higher education. She moves with ease and elegance in a boardroom, but don’t let that fool you—she’ll also happily smash you on a netball court.

Nikki’s naturally competitive and a bit of a haututū, always pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo. But the essence of social innovation, research, and systems change is at the heart of everything she does. Her passion for play and community development is ever in motion, always seeking new ways to help hapori thrive. If there’s ever been an Oi-star, it’s her.

Since receiving her PhD, where she examined the depths of tākaro Māori, Nikki immersed herself in a year-long journey of reo reclamation, deepening her connection to her culture and language. Nikki is a force of nature. She believes in the power of connection, collaboration, and a little bit of fun along the way. Nikki doesn’t just lead—she empowers, inspires, and makes things happen with her sharp mind, fierce spirit, and unwavering commitment to making the world a better place for our people.