Desna Whaanga-Schollum (Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Pāhauwera, Ngāti Kahungunu) is a mātauranga communications specialist. An Honorary Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada for International Indigenous Design Leadership (Ngā Aho Inc. Soc Chair), and an Ambassador for Landscape Foundation NZ, Desna is an active Indigenous design strategist who navigates multidisciplinary creative terrains and advocates for respect and reciprocal relationships with ancestral Place. She has presented/exhibited work in Aotearoa NZ, Australia, Canada, Ireland, Hawai'i and Austria.

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She holds a Master of Science Communication, Bachelor of Design, and Advanced Cert Te Ara Reo. Governance roles have incl. Chairperson, Ngā Aho, Māori Design Professionals (2015-23); Chairperson, Artspace Aotearoa (2015-23); Trustee Arts Foundation NZ (2020-21); Treasurer Te Uru Waitakere Contemporary Gallery (2015-18).

Desna lives in her turangawaewae territories of Te Matau-a-Māui.

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