Our people
The world is changing and so must business.
Professor Carla Houkamau, Acting Dean of the Business School
Carla Houkamau is a Professor in the Department of Management and International Business. She is of Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāi Tahu and Pākehā/New Zealand European descent.
Carla joined the Business School as a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in 2007 after completing her PhD in Social Psychology at the University of Auckland. Carla has previously held the Directorship of the Dame Mira Szászy Research Centre for Māori and Pacific Economic Development. Prior, Carla was Associate Dean Māori and Pacific Development for the Business School between 2017 and 2019. She held the role of Academic Director for the Business School Tuākana Programme for over six years between 2011 and 2018. Carla also serves on the University of Auckland Māori Business Leaders Awards Steering Committee.
Carla is an award-winning researcher, having been awarded a Business School Early Career Research Excellence Award and University of Auckland Group Excellence Award (as part of the NZAVS). Her collaborative research using the Multidimensional Model of Māori identity and Cultural Engagement (MMM-ICE) has been recognised nationally and internationally for advancing ethnic identity research using psychometric measures and large samples. Carla currently leads the largest longitudinal study of Māori identity, financial attitudes and behaviour (Te Rangahau o Te Tuakiri Māori me Ngā Waiaro ā-Pūtea | The Māori Identity and Financial Attitudes Study) for which she received a full standard Marsden.
Outside of the University, Carla is an Academic Adviser for Behavioural Science Aotearoa, a Department of Corrections initiative that applies evidence from social sciences to ensure justice policies and processes are research informed. She also provides education to a wide range of community groups on the impact of implicit bias on Māori in New Zealand particularly in relation to health and education.
Dr Drew Franklin, Associate Dean External Engagement
Drew Franklin is a Senior Lecturer in Marketing at the University of Auckland Business School and also serves as the Business School’s Associate Dean of External Engagement. His research focuses on two main areas: Marketing relationship dynamics, with a specific emphasis on trust, and the role of emergent technologies in business and marketing practice.
Drew brings a wealth of practical experience to his academic role, having enjoyed a 12-year career in global business and marketing prior to his academic pursuits. His industry experience spans sales, marketing, and business development across North American, Western European, and developed Asian markets. Drew is committed to actively engaging with industry and external stakeholders, viewing these interactions as crucial for identifying how academic institutions can best contribute to informing business policy and practice. This approach allows him to bridge the gap between academic research and real-world application in the field of marketing.
Email: drew.franklin@auckland.ac.nz
External Engagement Manager
Ella Zhang joined the Business School in September 2022. She manages stakeholder relationships with government agencies, businesses, iwi and industry bodies. Ella has more than 12 years’ experience in international markets, development and stakeholder relationships from both public and private sectors.
Ella has an in-depth understanding of the challenges and opportunities SMEs and regions are facing and is keen to share the University of Auckland Business School’s world-leading research expertise and knowledge with Aotearoa New Zealand businesses and beyond.
Contact
Email: ella.zhang@auckland.ac.nz
Mobile: 021 027 58666