Ashleigh Kearns-Steed (Ngāpuhi), a business management graduate, contributed her passion for Māori culture, health, and sustainability to the Nourishing Hawke’s Bay project. She was awarded the Te Hononga-ā-Kiwa scholarship, which took her to Columbia for international research collaboration. Ashleigh continues to apply her research skills to community-centred initiatives and aims to pursue a Master’s and PhD.

Ashleigh brings her academic achievements and cultural insights to research initiatives. Her commitment to sustainability drive impactful community-focused projects and plans for advanced studies.