Timmy Smith | TIMMY SMITH & PAUSE for Tea
Timmy Smith (Whakatōhea, Te Ūpokorehe, Ngati Porou, Te Arawa)
Founder of TIMMY SMITH & PAUSE for Tea
Joined TKW Membership on: 17 Jan 2025
As the founder of TIMMY SMITH and PAUSE for Tea, and an Indigenous coach, I weave together the worlds of wellbeing, business, and cultural reconnection through the mediums of tī (tea), taonga (jewellery), and wānanga. My work is grounded in whakapapa and inspired by the whenua, with each product, experience, and coaching session offering an opportunity for people to pause, reflect, and reconnect — with themselves, with others, and with place.
I care deeply about honouring Indigenous knowledge systems and uplifting the narratives of Māori and other Indigenous communities. As a pakihi owner and coach, I support others to reclaim their own rhythms, leadership, and purpose — not by fitting into existing systems, but by decolonising them. I advocate for slow business, sustainable relationships, and values-led leadership, choosing collaboration over competition and whakapapa over profit.
I want to be known for creating lasting impact through connection — for helping others feel grounded, seen, and empowered. I stand for culture-led commerce, Indigenous entrepreneurship, and reclaiming wellbeing in a fast-paced world. My legacy is one of reconnection and resilience, where every decision honours whenua, uplifts our people, and strengthens our collective future.
My mahi
My mahi spans a rich tapestry of offerings grounded in connection, culture, and care. At the heart of it all are our retail and wholesale collections — including our innovative sparkling tī (tea) range, loose leaf blends, and storytelling jewellery designed to evoke memory, honour whakapapa, and connect people to whenua. Our retail space is both a destination and a sanctuary, offering customers a sensory experience, while our wholesale arm supports hospitality, wellness, and tourism businesses looking to offer meaningful, values-led products that stand apart.
Beyond products, we offer immersive tea experiences and wānanga — spaces where individuals and groups can pause, reconnect, and explore the deeper stories behind tī and taonga. These include tea tastings, tea blending workshops, and cultural experiences that honour mātauranga Māori and invite reflection and reconnection. As a certified Indigenous coach, I also work alongside other entrepreneurs and creatives to reclaim rhythm, purpose, and identity in their work. My coaching supports those ready to lead from a place of culture, care, clarity, and alignment.
I also bring my voice and storytelling to the stage as an MC and speaker, weaving kaupapa Māori into events that centre authenticity, impact, and community. Whether I’m guiding a wellness retreat, facilitating a corporate workshop, or curating a tea experience, my mahi is always about connection — to self, to others, and to the whenua that holds us.
Connect with me
Websites: TIMMY SMITH | PAUSE for Tea
Facebook: @timmysmithspace | @pauseforteanz
Instagram: @timmysmithspace | @pauseforteanz
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