Whanake Learning

Nau mai, welcome

Learning designed with humans at the centre

Award-winning L&D consultancy based in Aotearoa, working with organisations across NZ and Australia.

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Lauren (Loz) Wootton

Mōku · About

Tēnā koe, I'm Loz

Award-winning L&D consultant

I'm Lauren (Loz) Wootton, a contract Learning & Development Specialist and Change & Communications Professional. Whanake Learning is my trading name, and it's more of a "I can do that, and more…" approach than a traditional agency.

I hold an Honours Degree in Communication Studies and bring experience across public, private, and charity sectors globally, working on everything from ERP systems and compliance training to leadership, te ao Māori, and First Nations capability.

My ability to connect is my superpower. Usually, one meeting is all it takes to figure out if I'm a good fit.

Let's kōrero

Working with me

Simple, clear, no surprises

Kōrero

Start with a free discovery session

I'll book a session and we'll have a robust kōrero about what you're looking for. We'll see what sparks, what ideas come up, and whether Whanake Learning fits. I can brief you on process, design and the costs involved with no obligation — just honest advice with a healthy dose of nerdy enthusiasm.

Book your free session

What I do

A full stretch of L&D

eLearning developmentInstructional designLMS setup & managementL&D strategyChange & communicationsOnline learning communitiesTe ao Māori capabilityFacilitation & training

Clients I've worked with

Ministry of EducationDepartment of ConservationMFATWorkSafeNational Hauora CoalitionAko AcademyComvitaMind Your TongueCan We Talk? (AU)ServiceQ (AU)

Internationally experienced across public, private, and charity sectors in NZ and Australia.

Tōku ingoa · My name and values

Whanake · growth, rising, development

The name Whanake was chosen to reflect the values at the heart of my kaupapa. In te reo Māori, whanake carries rich layers of meaning: upward growth, rising, and development. It is also one of the many names for the tī kōuka, the cabbage tree that inspires our logo.

Mārama

Clarity and transparency in everything I do. No hidden fees, no fine print, no clipped tickets.

Tūhononga

Connection is at the heart of how I grow. I nurture every relationship, staying accessible and open to feedback.

Whakamana

Empowerment is the foundation of my mahi. You guide the journey, and I'm here to support, uplift, and walk alongside you.

Mātauranga

I honour knowledge in all its forms, acknowledging tangata whenua and uplifting mātauranga Māori with deep respect.

What people say

Testimonials

Working with Loz over the past few months has been an absolute pleasure. She is an absolute professional and her dedication to our client projects has made a real difference. Loz is consistently responsive, communicates clearly, keeps you in the loop, and never leaves you wondering where things stand. Her transparency throughout the process built genuine trust, and her strong sense of ownership meant we could always rely on her work. She's proactive, engaged, and treats every project with care, as if it were her own. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend Loz to anyone looking for a skilled and dependable L&D specialist. At Can We Talk, we love working with her!
Utkarsh Narang
Learning and Development Manager, Can We Talk
Loz impressed us from the first coffee! In her work with the Learning Support Programme, she consistently demonstrated vision and practical delivery, building learning solutions we didn't know possible. She gains a deep understanding of organisational context and learner need, ensuring her work is purposeful and aligned to real outcomes.
Helen Holloway
Programme Manager | LSC, Te Pou Taunaki | Learning Support
Loz transforms content into accessible, engaging, and inclusive learning experiences. From honouring te ao Māori and fostering our uniquely Māori way of understanding ako in real time, she has taken our community learning principles and presented a digital solution that meets our accessibility needs and enriches the learner journey.
Dr Vincent Olsen-Reeder
Whiti Reo Ltd | ReoPol Ltd
Loz translated a complex, multifaceted role into a clear, structured learning framework grounded in measurable competencies and aligned to adult learning best-practice. The explicit design for the LSC role — in both content and a flexible, accessible e-learning approach — is an example of innovative, system-wide learning design with real benefit to the sector.
Rachael Vink
General Manager, System Design and Practice, Te Pou Taunaki | Learning Support
Loz developed and delivered a professional learning and development matrix for Learning Support Coordinators, coordinating module development with the end user always in mind. Her focus on adult learning capabilities and tailored L&D shone through every part of the journey. She communicates with enthusiasm, skill and deep knowledge.
Jo Davies
Chief Advisor, Te Pou Taunaki | Learning Support
Loz was super-fast at turning updates around and always willing to show the various options for delivery. The ultimate appraisal: staff trained later reviewed the e-learning and said they didn't need anything else. We just point new starters at it.
Kay Bacica
FMIS Project Lead
Loz has designed and built over 10 high-quality learning modules for us. Her thoughtful design approach and ability to translate complex cultural content into accessible learning has been instrumental in our growth.
Natalia Wi
Founder, Ako Academy
From the outset, Loz stood out for the quality of her work and the way she approached her role with the care, commitment, and curiosity of a permanent team member. Truly learner-centric.
Leslie Taylor
Global Transformation & Learning Lead, Comvita

Get in touch

Let's kōrero

Ready to talk about your learning needs? Book a free Discovery session. No obligation, no surprises.

Get in touch

loz@whanakelearning.co.nz