About us

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.

Follow our Journey

Our Mission

Our mission is to create safe spaces for Māori and Pasifika Rainbow+ peoples to be free to be heard, free to be seen and free to be their full authentic selves without denying any part of their holistic identity out of shame or stigma.

Our Vision

Our vision is to disrupt shame and stigma with authenticity, truth and love. Manioro seeks to disrupt toxic narratives and harmful stereotypes using reflection, celebration, creativity, and education as tools of disruption.  We acknowledge the contradicting beliefs some of our Māori and Pasifika people may hold about rainbow communities. Nevertheless, we are committed to enlightening and educating our whānau & aiga on our experiences as individuals and as a collective.