Ngāpuhi Designer Jordan Tane Finalist in Best Design Awards for Takiwātanga-Led Research

Jordan Tane (Ngāpuhi) is transforming how neurodiversity is understood within Te Ao Māori, framing takiwātanga (autism) as a “superpower” that drives her creative and academic work. According to reporting by Natasha Hill for Te Ao Māori News on 25 August 2026, the Auckland University of Technology PhD student is currently being celebrated as a finalist in two categories at the New Zealand Best Design Awards. Tane has been nominated in the Social Good Student and Academic Social Good categories. Her research focuses on bridging communication gaps regarding cultural identity, whānau violence, and youth mental health. Having been non-verbal until the age of five, Tane credits art as the voice that allowed her to express herself and connect with her whakapapa when language felt out of reach. Her master’s research utilised Kaupapa Māori approaches to hauora and violence prevention, leading to the creation of a practical visual booklet. This resource was designed to assist whānau who have experienced state intervention or the removal of tamariki, providing clear journey maps for processes like obtaining protection orders. Tane explained to Te Ao Māori News that she and her team found existing information online to be scattered and difficult to navigate, reinforcing the need for a single, visual document. Through her work, Tane aims to "humanise" academic data, moving it out of inaccessible journal articles and into the hands of the communities it impacts. By translating complex themes from wānanga into illustrations, she hopes to challenge public understanding of whānau violence while providing meaningful support for those in need. Tane reflects that art did more than just provide a career path—it provided a way to connect to a culture that initially felt difficult to access due to her communication challenges.