Meet the Founder

Ko Joshua Nia Nia tōku ingoa.
Nō Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāi Tūhoe, me Te Kingitanga o Tonga ahau.

The story behind Te Tini Roto and the vision for uplifting Māori and Indigenous voices.

The meaning of Te Tini Roto

Te Tini Roto takes its name from the lakes of Te Rēinga, the place I call home. Tini speaks to abundance. Roto refers to lakes, but also to what lies within.

Each lake holds its own depth, just as each author and Indigenous voice carries its own stories and wisdom.

These voices are not tributaries feeding into someone else’s river. They are full bodies of knowledge in their own right.

A moment that changed everything

The idea for Te Tini Roto began after I attended a public health conference in Washington DC.

During a seminar on decolonising public health, something shifted for me.

The conversation challenged me deeply. It made me realise I wanted to do more than talk about change, I wanted to act.

I wanted to create a space that genuinely uplifts Māori and Indigenous voices, placing their stories at the centre rather than the margins.

Why these stories matter

“Māori and Indigenous voices are not an addition to the conversation.They are the focus.”

For me, reading is more than a pastime. It is a way of learning, connecting, and understanding others with greater care.

Books carry knowledge, memory and identity. They allow us to see ourselves reflected and to engage with perspectives that expand our understanding of the world.

There is something powerful about holding a book, turning its pages, and engaging slowly and intentionally with what is written.

My journey

My own journey has required pushing through barriers, including significant health challenges. After having two brain tumours removed, I experienced hearing loss, an experience that changed how I move through the world.

Those moments strengthened my belief that our stories matter, and that the people who write them deserve to be uplifted.

They have also deepened my commitment to creating spaces where Māori and Indigenous voices are respected, protected and heard.