+ KARL WIXON +
DESIGNING FUTURES & MAKING SHIFT HAPPEN
DESIGNING FUTURES & MAKING SHIFT HAPPEN
RAUTAKI | STRATEGYKarl uses collaborative, creative and culturally underpinned approaches to delivering strategy for growth, innovation and change. Karl is called on frequently to facilitate strategic planning and reviews, helping tribal, regional and national organisations become future-fit and fit for purpose.
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TUAKIRI | IDENTITYKarl frequently leads and collaborates with some of Aotearoa NZs leading creatives to develop compelling brands, brand strategies, stories and campaigns that explore and express culture, values and identity. He is a leader in integrating indigenous culture and values into business, regional and national identity and brands for global markets.
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AUAHA | INNOVATIONKarl leads and facilitates collaborative creative processes to develop new systems, products, programmes, services & experiences using his own unique form of 'co-design' marrying the best of western and indigenous knowledge, methods and practices. He is a recognised indigenous leader and speaker in this field.
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+ ABOUT + KARL WIXON +
Karl Wixon is a Māori strategist, facilitator, and creative leader working at the intersection of culture, commerce, and futures.
As Managing Director of ARAHIA Pathfinders, he is trusted to help organisations navigate complexity, make sense of diverse perspectives, and shape clear, culturally grounded pathways forward — particularly where people, place, and long-term impact matter.
Karl is frequently called on to facilitate complex collaborations, weaving together insight from communities, stakeholders, and systems to support informed decision-making and meaningful change.
His practice combines Ancestral Intelligence grounded in mātauranga Māori with Artificial Intelligence as a design and sense-making companion — accelerating clarity while keeping judgement, cultural integrity, and direction firmly human-led.
Karl has led pioneering work across health, education, housing, tourism, climate, the primary and creative sectors, cultural heritage, language revitalisation, indigenous IP, national identity, enterprise, and economic development.
Karl is of Ngāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha, Moriori, Ngāti Toa Rangatira and Pākehā (Scottish, English, Irish, Prussian) descent and has received awards in design, Māori business excellence and aspiring directorship.
Experience & Leadership
Karl is a co-founder and recent past Co-Chair of Ngā Aho, the national Māori Design Society, and a past President of the Designers Institute of New Zealand.
He has held governance and advisory roles across education, tourism, and national identity, including Toi Mai Workforce Development Council, the Governing Council of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, Hawke’s Bay Tourism, a Ministerial Policy Advisory Group for Regenerative Tourism, and as a founding Ministerial-appointed independent board member of NZ Story, including membership of its Māori Advisory Group.
Karl Wixon is a Māori strategist, facilitator, and creative leader working at the intersection of culture, commerce, and futures.
As Managing Director of ARAHIA Pathfinders, he is trusted to help organisations navigate complexity, make sense of diverse perspectives, and shape clear, culturally grounded pathways forward — particularly where people, place, and long-term impact matter.
Karl is frequently called on to facilitate complex collaborations, weaving together insight from communities, stakeholders, and systems to support informed decision-making and meaningful change.
His practice combines Ancestral Intelligence grounded in mātauranga Māori with Artificial Intelligence as a design and sense-making companion — accelerating clarity while keeping judgement, cultural integrity, and direction firmly human-led.
Karl has led pioneering work across health, education, housing, tourism, climate, the primary and creative sectors, cultural heritage, language revitalisation, indigenous IP, national identity, enterprise, and economic development.
Karl is of Ngāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha, Moriori, Ngāti Toa Rangatira and Pākehā (Scottish, English, Irish, Prussian) descent and has received awards in design, Māori business excellence and aspiring directorship.
Experience & Leadership
Karl is a co-founder and recent past Co-Chair of Ngā Aho, the national Māori Design Society, and a past President of the Designers Institute of New Zealand.
He has held governance and advisory roles across education, tourism, and national identity, including Toi Mai Workforce Development Council, the Governing Council of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, Hawke’s Bay Tourism, a Ministerial Policy Advisory Group for Regenerative Tourism, and as a founding Ministerial-appointed independent board member of NZ Story, including membership of its Māori Advisory Group.