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Māori succeeding as Māori

Employer Hub resources

Māori are projected to make up a larger share of the workforce, particularly the young workforce, over the next decade. It’s a future in which both Māori kaimahi and pākihi should thrive and support increasing productivity.  

Māori represent one of the fastest growing demographics in New Zealand, and employers stand to benefit greatly by supporting the success of Māori in their workplace. These resources grouped here will assist employers to support rangatahi Māori in particular, as well as promote existing pākihi Māori success.  

Incorporating Māori values and tikanga

Common questions employers might consider are:

  1. How can my business incorporate Māori values and tikanga into what we offer and how we operate?
  2. How can we make sure our business respects the environment and Māori traditions, like taking care of the land and resources?
  3. How can my business create opportunities for Māori kaimahi to grow and succeed, while acknowledging tikanga and personal development?
  4. How can we make sure we follow Maōri tikanga and practices when working with Māori customers and partners?
  5. How can we contribute to keeping Te Reo Māori and traditions alive in our community?

Government agencies

Māori health models – Te Whare Tapa Whā | Ministry of Health NZ 
Ministry of Health directory of Health initiatives in support of equity outcomes for Māori  


Rauemi reo | Reo resources – Reo Māori (reomaori.co.nz)
Resources for the use and integration of Te Reo in the workplace


Mana in Mahi – For employers – Work and Income
MSD programme with funding dedicated to support kaimahi Māori and employers.   

 

Social enterprises

Young Champions Programme – Te Awe | Wellington Māori Business Network
Assistance for Māori rangatahi to achieve their goals through mentoring in the workplace. 


Aatea Solutions – Creating cultural capital.
Development of authentic kaupapa Māori frameworks for business. 

 

Education providers

Māori Cultural Capability » Ako Aotearoa

Professional development opportunities that provide insights into Māori philosophies, values, and practices. 


Cultureflow | Māori Language Training
This provider offers Māori Language and Culture Courses.

 

Multimedia

Māori women rule | Kaupapa on the Couch (youtube.com)  
Entertaining discussion on the legacy and ongoing impact of Māori women in Aotearoa.

 

Related Stories

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Tuakana-teina: The power of supportive learning mentorships

When Valeli Nathan Lemalie met Te Huia Paniora-Hepi through his cleaning job at BNZ Whakatāne, he went from self-doubt and anxiety to starting his own business in a few months. And it all started with a simple hello.
Two wahine Māori (Māori women) standing in front of a flax bush.

Joining forces: Bringing Māori manaakitanga to real estate

Mother-daughter duo Rawinia Matthews and Te Rere Cleveland ensure the Māori values of manaakitanga, aroha and mana are consistently at the core of their real estate business.

Connection

Common questions

  1. How can Māori businesses work closely with marae, iwi , hapu to build strong relationships and support each other?
  2. How can we get involved in local events and projects that are important to Māori in the community?
  3. How can we prioritise hiring and training Māori kaimahi to create a diverse and inclusive workplace?

Resources include:

These links aim to support SMEs in:

  • connecting with Iwi and Hapu. This might be regionally, or across the motu
  • dedicated resources on supporting bi-cultural workplaces
  • contestable funding opportunities and materials and several initiatives provided by MSD.

Government

TKM | Map | Te Kahui Mangai
Online directory of Iwi and Māori organisations.

Māori, Communities and Partnerships – Ministry of Social Development (msd.govt.nz)
MSD directory of agencies in support of connecting multiple community enterprises.

 

Provider

Cultivating a bi-cultural workplace for Aotearoa New Zealand (upskills.co.nz)

Professional development opportunities to foster bi-cultural workplaces.

 

Related Stories

Two people smiling.

James Whetu – integrating family values into his business model

James Whetu embarked on a transformative journey driven by self-belief and a thirst for knowledge. With a professional focus, he reshaped his approach to demonstrate his capabilities. A significant turning point was integrating family values into his business model. What he once saw as a weakness—prioritizing family over work—became a strength, weaving these values into the fabric of his consultancy services. James’ adventure involved learning through participation and applying knowledge in real-world settings. With his wife, Amy, they have helped shape Ngaruawahia’s Durham Precinct, a community space fostering local businesses and entrepreneurs by providing creative, low-overhead spaces.
A close up of four people.

Holly Hiko – a testament to resilience and community spirit

Holly Hiko, Business Development Manager at Property Scouts Manukau, offers an inspiring career pathway journey. A Maori business partner, raised in South Auckland, Holly’s journey is a testament to resilience and community spirit. Professionally, Holly’s role involves acquiring new properties and extensive networking. Her previous experience as a Property Manager, managing around 90 properties, equipped her with essential skills in tenant management and property maintenance. Holly’s leadership and willingness to embrace new opportunities have been key to her success.

Investment

Common questions

  1. How can we use our profits in a way that benefits the local Māori community and follows ethical business practices?
  2. How can we support other Māori businesses and entrepreneurs in our area / region?

Resources include material supporting opportunities for SMEs to give back and invest in their communities.

Government

He Kai Kei Aku Ringa: Strategy and action plan | Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (mbie.govt.nz)
Further details on Government initiatives to promote investment and success for the Māori economy.

 

Social Enterprise

Home – TupuToa
Programmes that deliver changes to business culture to  promote greater diversity and inclusivity.

 

Related Stories

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Anthony Ririnui - servant leadership for the betterment of my community, my hapū and my people

I’ve had personal moments where we have been able to influence whānau into their first home and that gave me a lot of satisfaction. When you come in with a service mentality and you want to help your whānau, those are real moments of gold for me. I’ve had a strong focus in terms of economic development or Māori economic development and the important role we have to bring greater prosperity across the Māori economy. I can also use my leadership experience assisting others who may be interested in a banking and finance career and trying to draw the parallels that they may not see around the impact they can have with their own whānau, their own hapu, their own iwi.

Join our Māori Service Sector Forum

Join a network of pākihi Māori and kaimahi Māori … etc

Tuia is an annual event designed specifically for Māori within the Service sector, providing a platform where pakihi Māori and kaimahi Māori voices are amplified, acknowledged, and celebrated.

Tuia was an epic two days of insights, whanaungatanga, and inspiration, with learnings that will contribute to the successful and sustainable future for our mokopuna that we all strive for.

Check out the highlight video and more info here.

Explore our four key aho | strands that are important for developing the workforce.

We want to build a resilient and capable workforce that enables economically, socially, and culturally thriving people, businesses, and communities.