Miriana Stephens: Leader of wellness business AuOra™ and Director of Wakatū Incorporation

Miriana Stephens (Ngāti Rārua, Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui) was born in Motueka and her qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts (NZ History) and a Law Degree. She currently resides in Motueka and has four children. She was awarded the 2016 Aotearoa NZ Māori Woman Business Leader award in recognition of outstanding success and excellence in business. Miriana is a director for Wakatū Incorporation (Wakatū), its subsidiaries and various committees and they are guided by their intergenerational 500 year vision, Te Pae Tawhiti. Wakatū is currently convening the Te Tauihu Intergenerational Strategy which is a business led approach to regional development in Tasman, Nelson and Marlborough. This initiative is in partnership with all three councils, whānau, hapū and Iwi, the business community and NMIT and has been supported by investment from the Provincial Growth Fund.  Miriana is currently leading AuOra™ which is an associated business of Wakatū that invests in a portfolio of nutrition and ingredient applications which are sourced from the natural biomatter of Aotearoa. The focus is to provide health and wellness solutions that improve the quality of life in the areas of digestive, brain, inflammatory and metabolic health as well as the health of our natural world. Miriana is also trustee on AGMARDT, Te Āwhina Marae in Motueka and Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rārua. She is a member of Nuku ki te Puku™ (a national Māori Food and Beverage cluster), the Strategic Coordination Group for the Ministry of Primary Industries and the Interim Regional Skills Leadership Group for Nelson / Tasman. "You don't have to know everything. We're always learning and if you don't know something, just ask."