About Pupuke
Ko wai mātou — Who Are We
Māori-led. Māori-owned. Enabling the surging tide of economic, investment, and property prosperity for Māori.
Lewis — Founder, Pupuke
Why Lewis started Pupuke.
After years working across the commercial property sector, Lewis saw first-hand how Iwi and Hapū were being underserved — locked out of opportunities, navigating complex transactions without specialist support, and too often relying on advisors who didn't understand their aspirations or obligations to their people.
The gap was clear: Māori organisations needed someone who could operate at the highest level of commercial property and investment expertise, while genuinely understanding Te Ao Māori — the cultural responsibilities, the intergenerational thinking, and the deep connection to whenua that underpins every decision. Capability and capacity needed to sit alongside cultural competency, not apart from it.
Pupuke was born from that conviction — a consultancy built to walk alongside Iwi, Hapū, and Whānau Māori as a trusted partner, bridging the worlds of commercial property and kaupapa Māori to unlock genuine, self-determined prosperity for generations to come.
The team behind Pupuke.
Māori-led, commercially sharp, and deeply committed to the outcomes that matter for our communities.
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Lewis England
Director & Principal Consultant
Iwi / Hapū TBCPlaceholder bio — Lewis brings extensive experience across commercial property and investment, with a deep commitment to enabling Māori economic prosperity through whenua. His career spans advisory, acquisition, and strategic partnership across Aotearoa.
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Team Member Name
Job Title
Iwi / Hapū TBCPlaceholder bio — a brief overview of this team member's background, expertise, and the role they play at Pupuke in supporting Iwi, Hapū, and Whānau Māori to achieve their aspirations.
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Name TBC
Role TBC
Iwi / Hapū TBCWe're growing our team. More details on this team member will be shared soon.
The rising tide lifts all waka.
The term Pupuke speaks to the surging or rising of water and has been inspired by Taranaki karakia kōrero (Aotea Waka). The karakia speaks of the surging of energy, untapped potential, the expansion of thought, continued growth and the welling up of knowledge.
Pupuke aspires to play a part in the turning of the tide, assisting Iwi, Hapū and Whānau Māori in achieving their economic prosperity aspirations. We provide specialist property and investment expertise to fill any capability or capacity gaps that may exist within your organisation.
We understand the unique responsibilities that Māori organisations carry for their key stakeholders — often needing to balance commercial outcomes with cultural or social drivers which are equally, and in many instances, more important.
Mā te Māori, nā te Māori, ka ora ai te Māori.
Pupuke is a Māori-led, Māori-owned business based in Ngāmotu (New Plymouth), Taranaki, with the capability to undertake mahi across Aotearoa.
Kia pupuke ake te tai o te ohanga, te whai rawa, me te whenua mō te iwi Māori.
To enable the surging tide of economic, investment, and property prosperity for Māori.
To empower Māori communities by enabling the rising tide of prosperity through whenua and property. We combine deep technical expertise with a grounding in Te Ao Māori to support iwi, hapū, and whānau in returning their whenua, growing economic influence, partnering with value-aligned tauiwi, and building a thriving future.
Guided by our pou.
Framed around the Pupuke karakia, these four pou guide every engagement, decision, and relationship we build.
Pupuke te Hihiri
Whakatō i te āheinga — Seizing opportunity and igniting action
We bring energy and urgency to every engagement, identifying and unlocking potential that drives meaningful outcomes for our clients.
Pupuke te Mahara
Whakapakari i te pūkenga — Growing Māori capability
We invest in knowledge transfer, ensuring our clients are empowered with the expertise and confidence to lead their own property and investment journeys.
Pupuke te Wānanga
Whakawhanaungatanga me te mahi ngātahi — Fostering collaboration and partnership
We act as a bridge between Māori entities and value-aligned commercial partners, brokering partnerships grounded in mutual respect and shared outcomes.
Hononga ki te Whenua
Whakapapa ki a Papatūānuku — Connecting to land and legacy
Every piece of mahi we undertake is anchored in the understanding that whenua is identity, whakapapa, and the foundation for whānau prosperity.
Rooted in Kōrero & Whakairo.
Our logo draws inspiration from Taranaki karakia kōrero that speaks of pupuke — the surging, rising tide. The circular form symbolises the constant movement of water, energy, and growth. Just as the rising tide lifts all waka, Pupuke aspires to uplift iwi, hapū, and whānau Māori on their property journey.
At the heart of the design is the unaunahi pattern — a motif of fish scales representing abundance, nourishment, and prosperity. The flowing spirals and interwoven lines echo Taranaki carving traditions and speak to whakapapa, interconnectedness, and the surging of untapped potential.
The circular form represents a lifecycle, continuity, whānau, and legacy — Our enduring commitment to whenua and empowering Māori throughout the lifecylce of a property, that lies at the core of everything we do.
Ngā Pou o Pupuke. Pupuke Purpose Pillars.
We are a trusted advisor, and we pride ourselves on finding innovative solutions to complex property opportunities and transactions. With diverse experience and strong relationships across the property, banking and financial service industries, Pupuke are positioned to act as a bridge between Māori entities and value-aligned commercial partners.
Whakarongo — Listen
Understanding your aspirations, whakapapa, and connection to whenua before anything else.
Whakamahere — Plan
Developing strategic, culturally grounded pathways — from feasibility through to business case.
Mahi Tahi — Work Together
Walking alongside you through every stage — acquisition, partnership, development, and beyond.
Tiaki — Sustain
Ensuring outcomes are protected and productive for current and future generations.
Pupuke te Hihiri
Pupuke te Mahara
Pupuke te Wānanga
Hononga ki te Whenua
The surging of energy. The expansion of thought. The welling up of knowledge. Connection to land and legacy.
100% Māori-led. Culturally grounded.
Specialist Expertise
Deep technical knowledge in property, investment, and finance — specifically tailored to the needs of Iwi and Māori organisations.
Values-Driven
Our pou guide all mahi. We balance commercial outcomes with cultural and social drivers that are often more important.
Trusted Relationships
Strong relationships across the property, banking, and financial service industries — acting as a bridge to value-aligned commercial partners.