About āhei
āhei is built on a simple idea: every child deserves to feel like they belong in movement, sport and physical activity. Not just included. Not just present. But seen, supported and able to thrive.
At our core, we’re a social change kaupapa. That’s only possible because of the incredible supporters who back what we’re doing and believe in the impact āhei can have.
The people behind āhei
āhei has three founders, but it isn’t just built by the three of us. It’s shaped by hundreds of kaiako, coaches, early learning centres, schools, organisations and tamariki across Aotearoa who use it every day. The ideas, the features, the changes: they come directly from the people doing the work. That’s what makes it different.
Laura Thompson ONZM
CEO & Founder
Laura is driven by one thing: getting more children involved in movement and sport.
A two-time Paralympian, multiple-time world champion and international coach, Laura has represented New Zealand in cycling, para cycling and basketball. She brings a depth of experience across both performance and participation. Alongside this, she holds a degree in psychology, giving her a strong understanding of motivation, confidence and how people engage in movement.
She’s also a mum to three boys, so she knows what it actually looks like on the ground, in schools, in clubs and in everyday life.
Laura is constantly connecting with teachers, coaches and organisations across Aotearoa, listening, learning and making sure āhei reflects what people actually need, not what we assume they need.
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Emma Foy
User Experience Manager & Founder
Emma brings a powerful mix of lived experience, elite performance and a deep understanding of people.
She is a New Zealand Paralympian, a world-record-breaking cyclist and a multiple-time world champion across track and road. Alongside her sporting career, she holds a degree in psychology, giving her a strong foundation in how people think, learn and engage.
As a low vision Māori wahine (Ngāpuhi), Emma brings a perspective that is grounded in both accessibility and identity. She is deeply passionate about ensuring tamariki are not just included, but genuinely supported in ways that recognise who they are.
Her influence is woven through everything āhei does: challenging assumptions, pushing for better and always centring the learner.
Will Finlayson
Lead Software Engineer & Founder
Will is the engine behind the technology.
With over 20 years in the software industry, he’s spent his career doing what he does best: building, learning and constantly making things better. Through his company, Digital Stock, he’s developed tech solutions primarily in the electrical sector, but his real strength lies in solving problems in smart, practical ways.
He’s also a dad to three boys, which means he understands firsthand the importance of creating tools that actually work in real life.
Will’s passion for software is unmatched, and āhei is a reflection of that. Simple where it needs to be, powerful where it counts.
The story in our tohu
Our brand was created with Koukou Creations in 2023, and every part of it carries meaning.
- The koru in the ā stands for growth, for every tamaiti and for āhei itself.
- The niho taniwha notches represent strength.
- The negative space in the letters is a safe space for tāngata whaikaha and takiwātanga.
- The gradient flows from purple to teal, from Papatūānuku, the land, to Tangaroa, the sea.
- The nine Matariki stars are a reminder of the potential in every child.
Tukua kia tū takitahi ngā whetū o te rangi.
Let each star in the sky shine its own light.
Our model: the Whare Ruruhau
The Whare Ruruhau is our Māori-centred quality framework. It guides how āhei brings in, shapes, protects and shares knowledge, so that everything we do serves one outcome: more children moving, more often, with positive experiences.
Three steps, every time
Whakauru (intake and filtering)
Guided by Pou Kai Āwhā, the front pou facing the elements. Only what strengthens our kaupapa comes in.
Whakarite (integration and alignment)
Guided by the Pou Kōkō and Pou Tuarongo. What comes in is refined into simple, usable practice, with adaptations built in by default.
Whakaputa (sharing and protection)
Guided by Pou Tokomanawa and the Tāhuhu. It’s shared with care, attribution and guidance, so it changes what happens on the ground.
The structure of the whare
- Tāhuhu (ridgepole) keeps us grounded in purpose and values.
- Pou Tokomanawa (central pou) holds focus on who we serve.
- Pou Tuarongo (back pou) turns ideas into usable practice.
- Pou Kōkō (four corner pou) are our domains of quality: reach and access, systems impact, cultural integrity, and disability justice.
- Pou Kai Āwhā (front pou) is the intake filter.
We work alongside specialist organisations, and communities, bringing their knowledge into practical tools that teachers and coaches can use every day. Together, that helps create more opportunities for tamariki to enjoy movement and feel they belong.
Ngā mihi nui to Keri and the team at Keri Mihi Consulting for guiding the development of this framework.
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Come and build with us
āhei is free for all New Zealand schools and early learning centres. Jump in, try a few activities, and tell us what you need next. We’re listening.
