About

Kia ora

Maarama Consulting (formerly known as Smith Business Consulting) was founded in 2016 by Brendon Smith.
Brendon has nearly 20 years research and strategy experience – with a career that began at Colmar Brunton New Zealand, led to Tebbutt Research in Australia and the Pacific Islands, then to leading New Zealand research and strategy consultancy, TRA (The Research Agency). Prior to starting his own consultancy Brendon was Head of Research at TRA, responsible for a large team of qualitative and quantitative researchers delivering effective and impactful insights to drive decision making and organisational growth. Brendon has whakapapa to Tainui, Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, Te Whakatōhea, and Ngāi Tūhoe. He is a trustee of Kutarere Marae and is passionate about serving his whānau, marae, hapū and iwi. Maarama provides the opportunity to combine Brendon's passions - employing a Māori-based values approach to help organisations make more informed decisions and drive positive change.
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Expertise

Brendon has conducted market and social research and provided strategic guidance across a wide range of sectors and clients, including:
  • Government Agencies – Waka Kotahi (NZTA), Te Puni Kōkiri (TPK), Tertiary Education Commission (TEC), Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), Department of Internal Affairs (DIA)

  • Local Body Agencies – Auckland Transport (AT), Auckland City Council, Priority One, Creative BOP

  • Māori Organisations – Te Whakatōhea Pre-Settlement Claims Trust, Tainui Group Holdings, Ngāti Porou Seafoods

  • Education – Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, University of Otago, Waikato University, Unitec, Fraser High School, Tauranga Girls' College, Manaiakalani

  • Healthcare – Fisher and Paykel Healthcare, Auckland Radiology

  • Retail and Services – Placemakers, Tui Products, Flooring Brands, The Warehouse Group, SkyCity

  • Financial Services – ASB Bank, IAG, Sovereign Insurance, NZ Brokers

  • Telecommunications – Spark, Vodafone, Digicel

  • Television – TVNZ, SKY TV, Freeview, Igloo, Bravo

  • Agri-Sector – Fonterra, Farm Source, Ballance, Barenbrug Agriseeds

  • FMCG – Progressive Enterprises, Frucor, DB Breweries, Mars, Ziwi

  • Automotive – Volkswagen, Toyota, BMW

  • Travel – Air New Zealand, Pacific Blue, Flight Centre

Brendon brings a wealth of knowledge and experience as well as a strong passion for using research and insights to drive effective decision making.
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Vision & Values

Maarama brings Māori-based vision and values to guide who we are and what we do.

Our Vision

An enlightened society working together for the common good.

Our Mission

To help people and organisations build a better Aotearoa New Zealand for everyone through understanding, insight and action.


Our Values

Manaakitanga
Showing hospitality, generosity, support and care for others. The work we do should be mana enhancing for all involved.
Whanaungatanga
Fostering meaningful and enduring relationships based on mutual respect, understanding and trust.
Kotahitanga
Working together in partnership towards a common goal and taking a collaborative approach in the work we do.

Our Promise

To be genuine, open, and honest
To care about the people we work with
To be easy to relate to and work with
  • To be passionate about, and committed to, the work we do
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About Us
Maarama Consulting is a marketing, strategy and communications agency that are passionate about helping people and organisations drive effective decision making through understanding, insight and action – and through this, have a positive impact on our people and country.
Contact
Brendon Smith. Director
+64 21 672 262