Marcus Akuhata-Brown

2018 Cohort

Marcus is working with others to lead and contribute to multigenerational Indigenous societal reformation that promotes the use and recognition of ancient knowledge to generate creative modern solutions.

Marcus (Ngāti Porou, TeAitanga a Māhaki, Ngāti Kahungunu Ngai Tāhu) has spent over 30 years supporting young Māori to reach their potential and aims to empower them as active agents in all areas of development in New Zealand society and beyond.

He is the Founder of the Tuia National Leadership Development Programme, which takes an intergenerational approach based on Indigenous principles to enhance the contributions of young Māori to communities across New Zealand.

In 2015, Marcus received the ACE Aotearoa Educator of the Year Tangata Whenua award. He has also served as a Director on the Global Board of Directors for CIVICUS and Chair of the Pan Commonwealth Youth Caucus. He is an honorary member of the Māori Women's Welfare League and a senior fellow on the Atlantic Fellows for Social Equity program based at the Universities of Melbourne, Auckland and a Global Fellow Advisory Board member with the Atlantic Institue based at Rhodes House, the University of Oxford.

In 2022, Marcus received the prestigious Tupuānuku award for Education as part of the National Matariki Awards celebration.

Marcus is the Pouwhakatere, Deputy Secretary Māori at the Ministry of Justice. He leads a multi-disciplinary business group called Àtea a Rangi.

Social change work

The social change work Marcus is currently incolved in is justice reform, youth development and leadership training.