Innov8HQ

20/05/2026

Calling all whānau and friends - the next wave is coming.

An Exclusive 2-Day Tech & Digital Storytelling Wānanga for 11–13 Year Olds

Next Wave Creators | Te Ngaru Auaha is powered by Kiwa Digital in partnership with Innov8HQ, bringing global digital capability into local communities.

Together, we’re creating hands-on opportunities for rangatahi to explore technology, creativity, digital storytelling and future career pathways.

Global tech. Local talent. Future creators.

We are currently taking expressions of interest now - link in bio😊👌🏾

18/05/2026

The next wave is coming.

An Exclusive 2-Day Tech & Digital Storytelling Wānanga for 11–13 Year Olds

Next Wave Creators | Te Ngaru Auaha is powered by Kiwa Digital in partnership with Innov8HQ, bringing global digital capability into local communities.

Together, we’re creating hands-on opportunities for rangatahi to explore technology, creativity, digital storytelling and future career pathways.

Global tech. Local talent. Future creators.

We are currently taking expressions of interest now - register below
https://www.innov8hq.com/next-wave-creators

10/05/2026

So hard to believe this year marks 10 years since I first opened the doors of INNOV8HQ.

What started as a courageous little dream in Ōtepoti has grown into one of the greatest adventures of a lifetime, (adding a few extra layers of silver to the hairstyle too) - but it's all been worth it.

Which is why I am seriously excited to step into this next chapter with someone I know, trust, and think is pretty damn "choice".

From the end of May, I’ll be welcoming Deb Renata-Gallon into the INNOV8HQ whānau as our Director, Community Partnerships | Kaiwhakahaere Tūhono Hapori.

Deb brings a vivacious G.S.D energy to everything she does. With over 20 years’ experience across business, education, health, youth, and community partnerships, she is a natural connector and possibly wee charmer too.

As INNOV8HQ steps into some seriously exciting new tech projects across Aotearoa and beyond, Deb will be working alongside me to strengthen our community partnerships both here and internationally.

This next chapter is about creating more pathways for rangatahi and communities to access world-leading technology and future-focused projects, while making sure they feel connected, included, and part of the success story from the very beginning.

Please join me in welcoming Deb to the INNOV8HQ whānau. I’m genuinely excited for what’s ahead.

Mauri ora.

08/05/2026

2026 has kicked off with a hiss and a roar and we are excited to release that our next round of Mana Rangatahi workshops are open for registration!

Are you aged 15-24 and ready to explore new opportunities, meet new friends, grow your confidence, and strengthen your future pathways?

If so, join us at one of our upcoming Mana Rangatahi workshops across the region

📍 Queenstown - 8 June
📍 Dunedin - 14 & 15 July
📍 Wānaka - 13 August

✨ These workshops are FREE, but limited spaces are available
✨ Open to rangatahi/youth aged 15–24
✨ Explore AI, innovation, leadership, enterprise, and future pathways

This is your entry into a global & lifetime network of graduates and mentors to connect in with when

For more info and to register, visit: https://www.innov8hq.com/manarangatahi or check out below 🙏🏽😉

05/05/2026

Kia ora everyone - exciting news, we’re on the hunt for a Digital Illustrator / Creative.

We have a unique opportunity for a skilled digital illustrator or creative to support workshops with rangatahi, helping them bring their stories to life through an exciting new digital platform.

You’ll be working alongside an incredible global tech organisation with the chance to be part of something meaningful and inspiring.

What’s involved:

• Supporting creative workshops (some weekends or school holidays)
• Helping guide rangatahi in visual storytelling
• Flexible, short-term support (may only be needed for occasional days)

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has strong digital illustration or creative skills
• Enjoys working with young people
• Is reliable, adaptable, and positive

If this sounds like you, or someone you know, we’d love to hear from you.

Contact [email protected]

21/04/2026

Holy heke… 2026 has come in hot, and truth be told, we’ve been so busy behind the scenes that we’ve barely had a minute to jump on here and share some of the cool stuff happening.

One of our favourite things to do is sit down with our next gen leaders and hear how they see the world, business, and what leadership really looks like from where they stand.

So it was pretty awesome to spend the afternoon with one of our Mana Rangatahi - Aotearoa, Ajax Banstola - chatting on his podcast: Factbeast, hosted by the OAR-mazing whānau at OAR FM Dunedin - Community Access Media.

It turned into such a fun kōrero, sharing insights, a few laughs, and reflections between youth and the OG corner of the team, (ha ha), on what entrepreneurship and business leadership mean to us all.

To be fair, I don't know about you - but in a world where the headlines and airwaves can feel overloaded with heavy stuff, these are the moments that keep us grounded. Our hearts are full and hopeful.

Arohanui (big loves) to Ash and the OAR FM whānau for having us. More of this please 😍 Feel free to listen in - keep up the inspiring mahi Ajax, we need more cool conversations happening :) https://oar.org.nz/shows/factbeast-on-youth-zone/

08/01/2026

Boom 💥🌍 and just like that, 2026 is underway.

Our first mahi of the year was a global hui, welcoming 23 business students from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, here in Aotearoa. Six years into this exchange and it still delivers fresh energy, curiosity and that beautiful shift that happens when perspectives cross borders.

This year we spoke about entrepre-natureship, business leadership shaped by culture, community and whenua.

We also shared what’s next for INNOV8HQ, bringing CultureQ Guardian AI across all our programmes with our whānau at Kiwa Digital.

For our young masterminds, this means learning how to work alongside AI ethically and confidently. Using it to explore, sense-check, create and grow capability, while maintaining agency.

Huge mihi to Dunedin born Sian Christie for leading this kaupapa and inviting INNOV8HQ in as guest speakers, alongside Herman holding the health and safety mahi.

We’re thrilled to support this exchange every year and we wish the students all the very best on their NZ adventures. Mā te wā x 🙌😉

19/12/2025

🎄 Meri Kirihimete and Special thanks for 2025 💚 👏

As 2025 winds down, there have been plenty of holy heke moments in a year packed with milestones, learning, and connection.

Professionally, it’s been a big year across our mahi. We reached and supported over 1,000 rangatahi leaders, expanded our work in the adult education and community space, and marked 10 years since the dream of INNOV8HQ was brought to life. Pausing to look back on that journey has been both grounding and affirming, shaped by the people and communities who continue to walk alongside us.

On a personal note, 2025 delivered some special moments too. I tied the knot with my special human, welcomed in my 50s, took on a new home and renovation project, and added Mananui to our whānau. At seven months old, he’s our Golden Retriever, officially confirmed Executive Assistant, helpful, often voluntold versus volunteer marketing prop, and a steady reminder that joy and muddy paws beat perfect Christmas photos every time.

As we head into Christmas, I know this season sits differently for everyone. My wish is simple: that every mouth is fed, every body is housed, the pressure eases, and the year ahead brings renewed energy and opportunity.

On behalf of the INNOV8HQ whānau and our extended whānau, Meri Kirihimete ki a koutou katoa.

Here’s to a safe, gentle close to 2025 and a hopeful start to 2026.

Ngā mihi mahana,

Heidi-ho-ho-ho 🩷

20/11/2025

Was an honour to contribute to this campaign curated by TechStep - here’s to seeing many more exercising their curiousity in the tech space. Every idea has impact in the tech sector, regardless of your role - take the leap, you never know whats waiting on the other side ❤️🙌 Have an awesome weekend everyone 🤩

13/11/2025

🌟 CultureQ and Guardian AI launch at INNOV8HQ 🌟

INNOV8HQ is excited to announce the launch of CultureQ and Guardian AI, developed in partnership with our whānau from Kiwa Digital This new technology marks a significant step forward in enhancing digital capability, protecting knowledge, and unlocking fresh possibilities for both rangatahi and our business clients.

CultureQ provides a secure, intuitive platform for storing, organising, and sharing stories, digital media, and important content. Rangatahi have full control over their information, making collaboration, project work, publishing, and reporting simple and effective.

Guardian AI focuses on privacy and intelligent knowledge management, engaging only with content that users choose to include. It creates a safe environment for building skills and confidence with advanced digital tools.

A standout feature of this rollout is the opportunity it offers for rangatahi to co-design how CultureQ and Guardian AI evolve. Their involvement ensures the platform adapts to real needs, encouraging hands-on learning, boosting digital literacy, and keeping youth voices central to future innovation.

Business clients also benefit, gaining access to secure data management, efficient project collaboration, and smart tools for organising information, while being part of a future-focused digital community.

This milestone marks INNOV8HQ’s continued investment in empowering youth and businesses through innovative technology, education, and collaboration - we couldn't be more excited about the possibilities this brings 🥳 👏

CultureQ™ is a novel software as a service application that enable Indigenous Peoples to revitalise their language and culture at scale.