About

Performnz IQ exists to provide a practical, educational, and transformational foundation for athletic performance, equipping Athletes, Parents, and Coaches with the knowledge and tools to promote success in sports and beyond. We are more than just a platform - we are a comprehensive journey designed to educate, motivate, and inspire individuals to unlock their full potential.


While we support athletes, our focus extends beyond performance. We recognise the crucial role that Parents and Coaches play in shaping an athlete’s journey. By providing education and resources tailored for all three groups, we ensure that athletes receive the right guidance, encouragement, and structure to thrive.
We use sport as a vehicle to promote health and wellbeing, offering insights into the pivotal role it plays in encouraging physical activity, positive pro-social behaviours, and a sense of belonging through community. By fostering goal-setting, aspirations, and the development of good habits, routines, and structure, we show how these principles translate into real-life success. Through sport, we help create pathways that empower Athletes, Parents, and Coaches to contribute to a culture of excellence - both on and off the field or court.

PIQ STORY

Performnz IQ is led by Pele and Maraki, a father-son duo who have lived through the highs and lows of high-performance sports. Drawing on their own experiences and a deep network of experts, including sports psychologists, strength and conditioning coaches, physiotherapists, nutritionists, speed coaches, and ex-professional athletes they bring a holistic approach to athlete development. Their goal is to share the lessons learned from their journey while connecting athletes with the best minds in the industry, creating an environment that fosters growth and excellence.

Together, we take athletes, parents, and coaches on a journey toward greatness, helping them achieve their goals and thrive both on and off the field.

Meet the Team

  • PELE AUMUA

    FOUNDER & COACH

    Pele is an expert in Strength and Conditioning Coaching with over 16 years of experience in high-performance sport, wellbeing, health, and functional fitness. As a former Functional Fitness Gym Owner, Pele has guided athletes who have advanced to elite levels in the NRL, Super Rugby and Netball. He is dedicated to creating holistic programs that integrate high-performance methodologies, mental fitness, and sport-specific training. His approach focuses on unlocking potential, and developing athletes technically, physically and mentally for long-term success.

  • MARAKI AUMUA

    MENTOR & COACH

    Maraki brings extensive experience in high-performance environments, having represented New Zealand in Rugby League, Touch Rugby, and Basketball. Now focusing on helping young people navigate the sporting world, he shares his lived experience to inspire and mentor the next generation both on and off the field. Passionate about content creation, Maraki plans to share his insights through the Performnz IQ platform and its social channels. Stay connected as he shares his journey, offering inspiration and guidance through his love of sport and creative passions.

  • ELISE NIU

    MENTOR & COACH

    Elise Niu is a highly skilled coach, mentor, and former elite athlete with over 15 years of experience in high-performance sport, strength and conditioning, and athlete development. A former New Zealand Touch representative and provincial netball player, she brings firsthand elite-level insight to her coaching. As a former gym owner, Elise specialised in strength, speed, and agility training, helping athletes maximize their performance. Now the Director of Netball at Whanganui Collegiate, she is dedicated to fostering a high-performance culture, emphasising accountability, teamwork, and holistic growth to prepare athletes for success in both sport and life.

  • GEORGE JAHNKE

    WORKSHOP FACILITATOR & COACH

    George is a Team & Culture Specialist, and Group Facilitator with 30 years of experience in elite sport and leadership. A Touch Hall of Fame inductee, he has represented New Zealand in eight Touch World Cups, winning four gold medals. George has worked extensively in Community Coaching, developing coaches through a values-based approach. He specialises in team dynamics, mindset, and injury prevention, fostering resilience and high-performance environments. Passionate about giving back, he mentors athletes and organisations to reach their potential.

Advisory Team

  • Dr. Luke Rowe

    SPORTS PSYCHOLOGIST

    Luke Rowe has extensive experience with elite teams, including the Māori All Blacks, Hurricanes, and Central Pulse. As a lecturer at Massey University, he bridges academic research and practical application, focusing on hauora and high-performance. A passionate advocate for Te Ao Māori, Luke integrates mātauranga Māori into his work, enriching wellbeing and performance. His approach blends cultural frameworks with modern methodologies, fostering excellence while honoring identity and values. Luke’s commitment to empowering individuals and teams shines through his contributions to the sports sector.

  • Dr. Hayden Pritchard

    STRENGTH & POWER COACH

    Hayden Pritchard is a Sports Scientist and Strength and Conditioning Coach with extensive experience in strength development and athletic performance. A former international powerlifter, Hayden broke Oceania records in the squat and total and competed nationally in weightlifting. With a PhD in Exercise Science focused on tapering strategies for maximal strength, Hayden helps athletes optimise their training for peak performance. He also shares his insights through his podcast, making strength training and performance science accessible to all.

  • Tiaan Whelpton

    SPEED COACH

    Tiaan is New Zealand’s fastest man and a professional sprinter specializing in speed training. As the reigning 100m national champion and resident record holder, he has represented New Zealand at the World Championships and competed on podiums worldwide. With over 13 years of experience in sprinting, Tiaan is committed to helping athletes maximize their speed, technique, and overall performance. His goal is to break the 10-second barrier and push the limits of human speed, bringing world-class expertise to Performnz IQ.

  • Ed Leung

    PHYSIOTHERAPIST & SPEED COACH

    Ed holds a Bachelor of Health Science in Physiotherapy from Auckland University of Technology. He has competed in regional and national championships in Hong Kong and the UK as a triple jumper and sprinter. Leveraging his physiotherapy expertise, Ed has coached athletes across various sports, employing a scientific approach. He emphasises client education for effective rehabilitation, focusing on biomechanics, strength, conditioning, and personalised injury prevention. His coaching philosophy centers on mastering fundamentals and ensuring athletes understand their purpose in a fun environment.

  • Dean Taipana

    PHYSIOTHERAPIST

    Dean is the Founder of Movement IQ, a leading Physiotherapy and Injury Prevention business with over 20 years of experience in the industry. He specializes in helping elite athletes prioritize prehabilitation and rehabilitation to achieve optimal performance and longevity. Dean is passionate about educating athletes on how to maximize their performance by understanding and practicing daily rituals that keep them at their best for longer. His holistic approach emphasises proactivity through Functionality, Mindset, Nutrition, and Sleep, forming the foundation of overall health and wellbeing.

  • Shaun Curry

    STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH

    Shaun is the Lead Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Crusaders & Canterbury Rugby and Head of Physical Performance for Manu Samoa. With over 10 years of experience, he has played a key role in enhancing player performance, contributing to the Crusaders' seven consecutive championships from 2017 to 2023. A former Manawatu Turbo, he transitioned into coaching after injuries ended his playing career, earning a degree in Exercise and Sport Science. His expertise in sports science, conditioning, and player development continues to drive success at the elite level.

  • Conrad Goodhew

    SPORTS NUTRITIONIST

    Conrad combines elite sports experience with academic expertise to support athletes and individuals in optimizing performance and health. He has worked with rugby, CrossFit, and endurance athletes, contributing to six championship-winning Crusaders teams. Beyond sport, he helps clients with gut health, weight management, and food-related anxiety while delivering corporate seminars on nutrition and cognitive function. His practical, empathetic approach focuses on building sustainable habits for peak performance and well-being.n goes here