Meet the team

Helens passion is in natural resource matters and she has led several action research projects in rural communities.
Helen is a co-founder of Participatory Techniques Ltd.

She is an experienced facilitator and researcher with a background in community and environmental projects. She has led several action research projects about engaging rural communities in environmental management and conservation.

She has been involved in the design and delivery of facilitation training for community members, local and central government staff, the Enviroschools programme and Te Aho Tū Roa. Her own facilitation and research practice is focused on environment, agriculture and development issues. It includes helping groups and agencies with strategic planning, community involvement and adult learning.

Helen is an expert in designing stakeholder engagement and consultation processes for complex natural resource matters. She is an authorised trainer for the Technology of Participation (ToP™) Facilitative Leadership Program through the Institute of Cultural Affairs (Australia).

Michelle’s passion is realising the potential of authentic participation among a diverse group to make a difference to the lives of people and the planet anywhere and everywhere.

She is a facilitator, trainer and consultant specialising in public participation and stakeholder engagement. Michelle has a background in natural resource management and policy. She has led a variety of social research and evaluation projects on people’s responses to environmental matters, and she has an academic and practical knowledge of change management, including extension and rural development. Michelle has 30 years’ experience as a professional facilitator working with the private, public and voluntary sectors. Michelle has designed and delivered training courses on how to work effectively with the community in conservation and environmental education throughout New Zealand.

Michelle is an authorised trainer for the Technology of Participation Facilitative Leadership Program through the Institute of Cultural Affairs (Australia). Michelle is a Certified ToP™ Facilitator.

Katerina is an Associate of Participatory Techniques Ltd, Director of AraHIna Consultancy and Pou Ārahi for Hui E! Community Aotearoa.

She is a Māori facilitator, trainer and leadership coach with a depth of knowledge in coaching for performance, strategic planning, team building, culture, and leadership. Katerina grew this coaching approach within the banking sector, including design and facilitation of training components, both nationally and internationally. She then went on to work with school principals across Aotearoa delivering strategic planning and leadership programmes and is now an independent facilitator, coach, and director of AraHIna Consultancy.

Katerina aims to work with hapū, iwi, and community groups to facilitate positive change in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Her mission is to guide teams on transformative journeys from where they are now to where they want to be. She achieves this by embracing the principles of Te Ao Māori and harnessing the ‘art’ of facilitation.

Over the past 20 years, Katerina has raised her four sons within Kōhanga Reo and Kura Kaupapa and has played key roles in establishing strategies that improve and promote kaupapa Māori. She is also a certified workplace and business coach and is currently working towards becoming a Certified ToP™ Facilitator and ToP™ trainer through the Institute of Cultural Affairs (Australasia).

Mark is a contributing trainer for Participatory Techniques Ltd and a Director of Futures By Design in Canberra.

Mark has a background in science and environmental management and is an accomplished facilitator of stakeholder and community participation and engagement. Mark has particular expertise in the emerging field of cultural translation – bridging gaps of communication and understanding between participants from different political, administrative, technical, scientific and community spheres.

Mark applies his experience in training others in facilitation, communication, participatory leadership, influencing and negotiating.

Mark is an experienced writer, editor and proofreader of scientific/technical, quasi-legal, historical/biographical, geographical, educational and promotional materials.