Nevertheless

Shaq & Maia are the Co-Founders and Co-Directors of Nevertheless Trust. Shaq hails from Flaxmere and is Samoan Māori from the villages of Fasito’outa, Salamumu and Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga. Maia is of Māori, Cook Island, Scandinavian and Portuguese decent and also hails from Kahungunu. We are Takatāpui and proud advocates for the LGBTQIA+, Rainbow communities.

We have developed our very own kaupapa called Manioro in response to the scarce support for specifically Māori and Pasifika Rainbow+ communities. Manioro focuses on disrupting toxic narratives through education, wānanga, and creativity for our Māori, Pasifika and Rainbow+ communities and families. We established the Manioro Nu'u Rainbow Hub in Hawkes Bay and are passionate about bridging gaps between Māori and Pasifika Rainbow+ communities.