About
Tēnā koutou katoa, nau mai
Established in 2013 in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, HOOPLA is a social enterprise producing urban research, place advocacy, community engagement and design.
Place based and outcome oriented, we specialise in the use of opportunistic tactics, tailoring our work to our means, seeking resources and generating networks to support what we do. You can watch a short video introducing our work here.
Our Values
HOOPLA acknowledge the mana whenua of Tāmaki Makaurau, specifically those of Te Whau, where we live and work.
Hononga: Relationships, with people and environment, are the key to all our work.
Go Local: When goods or services are required for the delivery of projects, we aim to work with locals where possible, building capacity in our neighbourhoods.
Manaaki: We acknowledge that community groups and individuals often engage in projects using their volunteer time and resources. HOOPLA aim to share access to resources and provide hospitality to all those engaged in our projects.
Our Services & Skills
Community Engagement & Facilitation: Localised and authentic, with tamariki and rangatahi, elderly, new migrants, community groups, students, professionals, businesses and local government.
Urban Research: Valuing local knowledge and multiple experiences through the collection of research material; curation and analysis; writing and visual mapping.
Place Advocacy: Creating new perspectives and knowledge sharing through curated urban walks and kayak trips, installation, exhibition and performance.
Design: Working with multi-disciplinary designers on complex public projects, design briefing and review; exhibition design.
To learn more about how we work check out our Tactics.
Nina Patel, BArch(hons), MUrbDes(hons).
With qualifications and experience in architecture, landscape and urban design Nina works across planning, design and community projects. Nina grew up on the edge of Maungakiekie and on the Waitematā and now lives with her whānau on the banks of the Whau awa in Rosebank, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Image by Brian Marsom.
Kathy Waghorn, BFA, BAS, BArch(hons), PhD.
Kathy hails from Ōmata, Taranaki. With a background in art and architecture, alongside her HOOPLA work she is an Associate Professor in the architecture department at Monash University, Naarm / Melbourne. When in Tāmaki, Kathy lives with her whanau in Kelston, across the Whau awa from Nina.