Jason Ropata

Multidisciplinary creative with 13 years' experience at Māori Television across broadcast graphic design, news and programme graphics, promotional content and video editing. Currently expanding into character design, illustration and AI-assisted visual development through structured independent practice and portfolio production. Combines professional visual communication and deadline-driven production experience with strong relationship management, coaching and community engagement skills.

Group Fitness Instructor, ClubActive at Wellington City Council (2025-01 – Present)

Deliver classes across Freyberg Pool & Fitness Centre, Kilbirnie Recreation Centre and Karori Recreation Centre—busy Council facilities serving diverse communities through fitness, sport, aquatic, children's and community programmes.

• Plan and deliver structured group fitness classes across three Wellington City Council recreation facilities.
• Adapt exercises, instruction and coaching for participants with varied abilities, experience levels and fitness goals.
• Build rapport and create welcoming, encouraging and inclusive class environments.
• Communicate through clear demonstrations, individual feedback and motivational coaching.
• Monitor participant technique, complete equipment checks and maintain health and safety standards.
• Provide frontline customer service, first-aid assistance and operational cover while collaborating with recreation-centre colleagues.

Reserve Instructor at Workshop Jiu Jitsu (Present)

Black Belt, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

• Coach participants across varied experience levels and physical abilities, breaking complex techniques into clear stages.
• Provide constructive feedback while maintaining a disciplined, respectful and safety-focused training environment.
• Encourage resilience, confidence, consistency and continuous improvement.

Defensive and Tackling Coach at Toa Premier 1 Men's Rugby League Club (2023-01 – 2024-12)

• Coached defensive technique, tackling skills and safe physical execution through demonstration and practical instruction.
• Adapted coaching to different learning styles, abilities and levels of experience.
• Motivated players and contributed to team preparation, discipline and performance.

Youth Group Leader at Youth Group Leader (1996-01 – 2020-12)

Various periods

• Supported and engaged young people through organised activities and positive relationship building.
• Helped create inclusive, structured and supportive environments for people from varied backgrounds.
• Used communication, leadership and conflict-management skills to support participation.

Graphic Designer, In-House Graphics Team at Māori Television (2005-01 – 2017-12)

• Designed broadcast and promotional graphics for news, current affairs and internally produced programmes.
• Produced news graphics, lower-thirds, titles, information panels, programme graphics and promotional assets.
• Translated production briefs into clear, accurate and engaging visual content.
• Collaborated with producers, journalists, editors and production staff in a fast-paced broadcast environment.
• Prepared and checked graphics against established visual identities, technical specifications and broadcast requirements.
• Responded quickly to feedback, programme changes and daily production deadlines.

Video Editor at Māori Television (2004-01 – 2005-12)

• Edited news and current affairs content, including Te Kāea.
• Selected and assembled footage to support narrative clarity, pacing and audience engagement.
• Collaborated with journalists, producers and production staff to respond to editorial briefs.
• Prepared completed content to required technical and presentation standards for broadcast and daily deadlines.

Character Design, Illustration and Portfolio Development at Self-Directed Professional Development (2021-01 – Present)

Structured Self-Directed Professional Development

• Develop original characters, costumes, props and environments from research and initial thumbnails through to portfolio-ready presentation.
• Apply anatomy, gesture, perspective, shape language, composition, value, lighting and colour to visual-development projects.
• Use Photoshop, Blender and Daz 3D to develop artwork, explore posing, establish camera angles and create spatial reference.
• Build and refine ComfyUI workflows using image reference, pose control and visual-consistency techniques.
• Apply critique, experimentation and iterative development to improve design quality, consistency and production efficiency.

Diploma in Multimedia – National College of Design and Technology (2000-01 – 2001-12)

Studies toward a Bachelor in Commerce and Administration – Victoria University of Wellington (1997-01 – 2000-12)

Certificate in Supervisory Management – Hutt Valley Polytechnic (1995-01 – 1995-12)