Meet Mandy Kupenga

Some people don’t just walk the talk—they cast it out into the world like a line in the water, patiently and powerfully reeling in change. Mandy Kupenga is one of those people.

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If you’ve followed her journey—from boardrooms to beaches, fishing boats to film sets—you’ll know Mandy’s story is as rich, layered, and full of mana as the Hauraki Gulf itself.

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When it comes to Mandy's mahi, with her most powerful and soul-full work is found in Heal The Hauraki. This beautiful project is an ode to the moana, to mātauranga Māori, and to the collective power of community. It’s not just a doco. It’s a call to action wrapped in aroha.

From Corporate Suits to Saltwater Boots

Mandy started her career climbing corporate ladders—but even then, she knew her heart beat to the rhythm of something deeper. A passionate advocate for social justice and environmental change, she brought authenticity and determination into every room she entered. But eventually, the pull of the ocean—and the stories it held—was too strong to ignore.

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She swapped office lights for open skies and began carving a path that honoured both her whakapapa and her wairua.

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You may have seen her on Get Your Fish On (a fishing show she hosted!) or on Seasick, a haunting, urgent look at the crisis unfolding in the Hauraki Gulf.
Through the lens of media, and through strong storytelling Mandy has made her mark on helping to heal te taiao.

Heal The Hauraki: A Story of Hope

Now, with Heal The Hauraki, Mandy offers us something we all need: hope.

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The series is a beautifully crafted journey full of hope and healing. Through the lens of mātauranga Māori and science, we can all see what's possible when people come together to restore balance, breathe life back into ecosystems, and rebuild relationships with the whenua and moana.

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At the heart of every frame is Mandy’s unwavering belief that it’s never too late to heal. Her voice—calm, wise, generous—guides us through stories of regeneration, reminding us that we are all kaitiaki in our own way. That by planting a seed, lifting our gaze, and listening deeply, we can make a difference.

Kindness, Connection, and Kōrero

What makes Mandy so special isn’t just her knowledge, her resume, or her presence on screen (though all of those are formidable). It’s her kindness. Her ability to weave people together. To hold space for uncomfortable truths while still choosing to lead with optimism.

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She doesn’t just tell stories—she invites us into them. She shows us that the act of healing our moana is also about healing ourselves. That when we care for the Gulf, we’re also caring for each other while becoming better ancestors.

Join us on the Journey!

Heal The Hauraki is more than a documentary series. It’s a movement. It’s a love letter. It’s a rally cry. If you haven’t watched yet—do it! 

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Mandy shows us the way: not with fear, but with fierce hope.
Not with blame, but with belonging.

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If Mandy's casting the line, we’d all be wise to follow!

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