Elisapeta Heta
Māori designer Elisapeta Heta is a principal at New Zealand architecture studio Jasmax, where she co-founded and leads Waka Māia, the practice’s Indigenous design collective.
Heta champions the practice’s commitment to uplifting Indigenous communities to ensure the work delivers authentic outcomes that reflect and respect the communities it serves.
Notable projects include Auckland's City Rail Link, New Zealand Pavilion at Expo 2020, and the Western Springs College redevelopment.
She is a Māori, Samoan and Tokelauan community advocate and has received numerous awards for her leadership in Indigenous design, including the prestigious New Zealand Institute of Architects President’s Award (NZIA).
Heta’s artistic work has been exhibited at prestigious institutions, including the Venice Art Biennale 2024 at Ocean Space Gallery and Artspace, Sydney in 2025.
