Carrying our tupuna every day – Kapitorina Hall’s journey

Since joining APM NZ in 2021 as an Employment Consultant, Kapitorina Hall has been helping people overcome barriers and move into meaningful mahi. From day one, she infused te reo, tikanga and mātauranga Māori into her practice, naturally becoming a cultural anchor for kaimahi and clients alike.

This created new opportunities for kaimahi to connect more deeply with te ao Māori. She became someone people turned to for cultural support—not because it was expected of her, but because it was a natural extension of who she is.

Her leadership was recognised early, and she was offered a Kaitakawaenga role, supported by National Manager Māori, Cleo Hotereni.

“APM is genuinely committed to being a good Tiriti partner. Recognising Kapitorina’s skills and passion, and supporting this with a kaupapa Māori role, is an example of that commitment in action” says Cleo.

She then completed the Whānau Ora Navigator training through Tipu Ora, where she was inspired by Dame Tariana Turia.

“It reminded me that our mahi isn’t just about jobs or health—it’s about supporting whole whānau and drawing on the strength of our tūpuna.”

Kapitorina has since led a wide range of kaupapa Māori initiatives at APM – facilitating online and in-person wānanga, developing the Ngā Kaihāpai cultural development programme, hosting cultural panels, delivering cultural safety training, and even helping create APM’s waiata, Tautokona te ora.

In July 2025, she stepped into a new chapter as APM’s Hauora Navigator. In this role, she supports kaimahi with cultural wellbeing and ensures clients can easily access supports grounded in te ao Māori.

APM recognises the inequities faced by whānau Māori. Kapitorina’s Hauora Navigator role is one of the ways APM is helping bridge that gap—connecting clients with rongoā Māori experts, whānau ora navigators, and local iwi supports to ensure whānau are supported during and beyond their time with APM.

Kapitorina’s journey is a reminder that when Māori are empowered to lead as Māori, everyone benefits. As she says, ‘When we’re encouraged to carry our tūpuna and mātauranga every day, it flows through to our clients and their whānau. Ka taea ngā mea katoa!’

Interested in being part of this kaupapa? APM offers Kaihāpai Māori cultural development roles as part of their core mahi. Explore opportunities using button below.