Pat MacFie

A storyteller who approaches everything he does with a te ao Māori worldview

Pat MacFie Co-founder Indigo, Manaaki & Chooice Pat MacFie (Ngāti Māhanga-Hourua, Ngāi Te Rangi) is a born storyteller, relentless innovator, and fearless leader, who approaches all that he does with a te ao Māori worldview. He leads his own creative agency, Indigo, alongside Andy Hamilton, Monty Betham, and his wife Jada MacFie. To understand Pat’s values, his ability to scale personalised solutions, and unleash forces of positive change in the communities he cares most about, you need only look at what Indigo has achieved in the last year. Since lockdown 2020, Indigo has reimagined its business and been behind trailblazing platforms for small businesses such as Manaaki, Chooice, Small Business Day, MBIE’s Digital Boost, and most recently the Digital Doers Academy in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development. His team has been recognised as finalists in the New Zealander of the Year Awards and is loved by small businesses across the country.

In November 2020, Pat returned to the tough streets of Melville, Hamilton, where he grew up against a backdrop of violence and police sirens. The same place where his high school principal told him he’d never amount to anything. There, Pat announced the launch of the MacFie Foundation. Under the MacFie Foundation, Pat, and wife Jada, will donate 100 $5,000 tertiary education scholarships over the next ten years. As Pat put it, starting the foundation is one of the most meaningful things he’s ever done.

Pat is serious about his mahi, but he’s got a serious soft spot for people. He’ll give anyone the time of day, anytime. Chat to him for a few minutes, or a few hours, and you’ll likely leave with serious motivation, newfound clarity, game-changing goals, and possibly even an insight-driven, step-by-step strategy to reach them.