Jasmax say the promotion reflects Heta’s influence as a leader in indigenous design in Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally, and the role she continues to play in cultural leadership at Jasmax.

“I hope my position as Principal at Jasmax expands the options for young Māori and Pasifika when they think about who they can be and what they can achieve,” says Heta. “Providing safety and guidance for our people coming into the practice will help them to bring their full selves, reflecting all the different ways of being Māori and Pasifika designers.”

Heta has contributed to cultural design outcomes for nation-defining projects, including Tāmaki Makaurau’s City Rail Link and the New Zealand Pavilion at Expo 2020 in Dubai, and was also named Emerging Design Professional at the 2021 Interior Awards.

“Elisapeta Heta has already made an enormous contribution toward Jasmax becoming a bicultural design practice,” says Sjoerd Post, CEO at Jasmax. “With her leadership and guidance, we are excited about what we will achieve in nurturing design that is reflective of the spirit of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.”