Join us for the final Whāriki6 of 2025 with Pera Barrett (Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Porou) — digital innovator, community leader, and founder of Shoebox Christmas Aotearoa.

What began as a small Porirua kaupapa supporting 80 tamariki has become a nationwide movement — with over 200,000 acts of aroha reaching whānau from Invercargill to Kaikohe. Through initiatives like Koha Tree, Pera has channelled more than $4.88 million in gifts to communities while building pathways for rangatahi leadership and employment.

In this kōrero, Pera will share how he weaves kaupapa Māori and AI together to strengthen collective impact, using technology as a vessel for connection, not disconnection. He’ll explore:

• How mātauranga Māori can shape ethical, community-driven technology
• Practical ways AI can amplify whānau-centred innovation
• Lessons from scaling Shoebox Christmas into a nationwide movement

Whether you’re a business owner, innovator, or community organiser, this session will inspire new ways to align tech, tikanga, and transformation.

🖥️ Virtual Event: Te Hapori o Whāriki

📅 Wednesday 13 November

‍⏰ 12pm – 1pm

‍🎟️ Free to attend – register and join via Te Hapori o Whāriki

About the Speaker

Pera Barrett is a digital innovator and community leader dedicated to blending kaupapa Māori with technology to create meaningful change across Aotearoa. As the founder of Shoebox Christmas and Koha Tree, he has led over $4.88 million in gifts to nearly 100,000 whānau. His mahi spans iwi governance, Māori health, and toi Māori — all anchored in values-based leadership and empowering rangatahi.