We uncover the stories that shape our world — and help communities design a better future.
At KŌTA, we blend research, storytelling, and leadership to create lasting social, cultural, and environmental transformation.
About KŌTA
KŌTA was founded to make a difference—placing research and insight at the heart of strategy and inspiring people to push boundaries and do better. From the start, we have chosen work that aligns with our values and partnered with those who share our commitment to meaningful change.
We are a social research and leadership consultancy working across Australia to bridge the worlds of heritage, environment and social transformation. Our work weaves together disciplines and perspectives, combining social science, systems thinking, and regenerative design to help organisations and communities navigate complexity and create outcomes that endure.
At our core, we are listeners and interpreters — assisting clients to see patterns beneath the surface, understand the stories that shape human experience, and translate insight into lasting impact. From cultural landscape planning and heritage management to co-design, evaluation, and behaviour change research, we work with clients who share a common purpose: to build a future where people and nature thrive together.
Take a deeper look at the people, principles, and practice guiding our work across Australia.
Everything you need to know about KŌTA—our company, our projects, and our impact.
About Renée
Renée Gardiner is an archaeologist, social researcher, and founder of KŌTA.
Some people collect stamps. Renée collects stories, experiences, and the occasional unexpected challenge — like discovering a Bronze Age ceremonial axe in central Bulgaria, or surviving open heart surgery. Both taught her that the world is full of hidden treasures, and that resilience often appears when you least expect it.
She grew up in Queensland, where a waterfall waited at the end of the road and a 360° view over the landscape revealed the interconnectedness of all things. That sense of belonging to place — and the spirit it holds — continues to influence her work today.
Renée’s career spans 20 years across research, consultancy, and community leadership, blending insights from social science, systems thinking, and sustainability. Her work explores how understanding culture, nature, and human behaviour can help create thriving, equitable, and regenerative communities.
She has designed nourishing community spaces that feed hearts, minds, and bellies; written a weekly column reaching over 200,000 readers; facilitated organisational culture and wellbeing programs for hundreds of people; and faced business and life challenges that sometimes felt like climbing Mount Impossible — in stilettos.
Renée has been acknowledged in the Australian Parliament for her leadership in sustainability and community transformation, and is a recipient of the 40Under40 Business News Award for social enterprise. She is a media contributor, guest lecturer, and speaker, sharing insights on wellbeing, and the human stories behind social change.
Our Virtues
The KŌTA virtues are at the heart of who we are. They shape our decisions, inspire our work, and embody the principles and ethics we commit to every day.
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We push the edges to open up new paradigms and go beyond. We take a stand when and where it matters. We operate outside of the norm, to develop new world-class integrated solutions for the future — for health and life.
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There is unity in community and to go far we have to go together. We partner for change, and embrace collaborative and regenerative culture and business. We align with and contribute to positive health, social and environmental impact initiatives.
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We uplift humanity and open hearts and minds with courage and compassion. We empower people to embody their spirit and light as their own source of truth, power and inspiration.
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We are stewards of the Earth, keepers of the garden. We respect the Earth as our home and our teacher. We honour the spirit of nature, animals, and all living systems — the Earth’s living library.
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By blending innovative thinking with rigorous research and analysis, we drive groundbreaking solutions and open up new possibilities for social and environmental change.
