A LITTLE ABOUT WHAT WE DO

COMMERCIAL ADVISORY SERVICES

Backed by management, corporate, legal and investment experts, Tuia Group works with clients across public and private sectors as well as Māori, Pacific and indigenous groups.

To us, Tuia (which means to connect, bind together or unite) represents our clients’ aspirations for their commercial and economic future. Tuia is about pulling together the threads of traditional values and modern commercial perspectives, with opportunity. By doing so, we deliver economic solutions for our clients that are greater than the sum of the individual threads.

Tuia Group blends business consulting, commercial law and economic development expertise into a seamless range of services for you.

Our skills

Business Case and Feasibility Studies
Business Project Strategy
Commercialisation
Innovation
Investment/Funding
Joint Ventures/ Transactions
Māori Sector Engagement
Post Settlement Governance Systems
Structuring

Meet the team

These are the people behind all the magic

Guy Royal

Director
Ngāti Raukawa, Parehauraki, Ngāti Hine, Ngāpuhi

After a long career advising a large number of public and private sector organisations in New Zealand, Hong Kong, Vietnam and the United Kingdom Guy now specialises in the Māori commercial sector in NZ and the indigenous communities in Asia, South Pacific. Working across a wide range of areas he advises on commercial transactions, governance and strategic support and organisation excellence. Guy has held governance roles in the forestry, investment, rail and infrastructure sectors. He currently sits on boards in venture capital, climate tech, Iwi investment and retail. His passion is working with Māori groups to accelerate the economy and produce a better standard of living for Aotearoa.

Toko Kapea

Director
Ngāti Apa ki Rangitikei, Taranaki whanui (Taranaki, Wellington, Te Tau Ihu), Te Atihaunui-a-Papārangi, Ngāpuhi

Toko is an experienced commercial lawyer with many years as a company director. Toko has held roles in various banks and energy companies in New Zealand. He has also held governance roles in sectors involving dairy farming, forestry, fishing (lobster) and property. He currently has governance interests in media /tv, agri-tech, venture capital, and the extractive industry. Toko enjoys working on strategic challenges and opportunities that clients face to develop actionable plans to deal with those situations.

Ariana Rona

Corporate Services Coordinator
Ngāi Tahu, Te Atiawa

Ariana is our Corporate Services Coordinator. She oversees all business support functions including invoicing, accounts and office management. Ariana comes with 20 years’ experience in executive administration and legal executive roles.

Anaïs Neveu

Legal Analyst/Consultant
France

Anaïs is a Legal Analyst who re-joined the team in October 2018, following a six month internship. She is a lawyer from France with a Master’s degree in Business Law from Université Panthéon-Assas, Paris II, and has been admitted to the Paris Bar. Anaïs provides both legal and consultation assistance on engagements at Tuia Group. She also brings a year of internship experience in French law firms.

Indiana Shewen

Solicitor / Consultant
Ngāti Mutunga, Te Ātiawa, Rangitāne o Wairau, Ngāti Maru

Indiana is a second year Solicitor, who graduated with a Double Degree in Law and Arts at the Victoria University of Wellington in 2018. Indiana was admitted to the bar in 2020, after completing a full-year Te Reo Māori immersion course at Te Wānanga Takiura. Indiana has gained work experience in both public and private sector - the highlights of Indiana’s mahi include working with Ngāti Maru on their Treaty Settlement, interning at Kāhui Legal and Dentons Kensington Swan. Prior to joining Tuia Group Indi was practising as a Solicitor at the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.

Jen Deben

Associate
Te Atihaunui-a-Papārangi

Jen is a consultant with a background in banking, property, government policy, regulatory and Māori Housing advocacy sectors. Following her former role as Lead Evaluator, Community Housing Regulatory Authority, she specialises in advising organisations in the community and social housing sector. Jen is passionate about advocating for equitable housing opportunities for whānau as a catalyst for improved wellbeing and contribution to thriving communities. Jen is the Founder of the Applause Charitable Trust, a collective response to the impacts of Covid-19.

Tuia in the community

Helping others do great things