Tipu Pakihi 2023

Tipu Pakihi - Inaugural Māori Business Symposium

6th and 7th Hongongoi 2023 | Pipitea Marae, Wellington

On Thursday 6th July, Ngāti Poneke hosted the Board of Te Matarau a Māui Charitable Trust and an audience of roughly 160 people for a Māori business summit in Te Ūpoko o Te Ika, the greater Wellington region. Those attending included Māori in business from Kāpiti, Porirua, Pōneke, Te Awakairangi and Wairarapa along with representatives of Iwi and Hapū, local and regional territorial authorities, central government and a range of providers who support Māori business development and training.

The Hon. Jackson, Minister for Māori Development and Tory Whānau, Her Worship the Mayor of Wellington opened the event reflecting on the journey of Māori development over the last 40 years and announcing new business initiatives.

Over two days, the audience received presentations on Māori business experiences, support services and new initiatives being developed to support enterprise in the region. A mini expo was held to promote the work of our four regional Māori business networks, a multitude of member businesses, Te Matarau a Māui itself and the Poutama Trust.

The networks took part in a panel discussion on their mahi, and during the two days, small business owners were invited to spotlight their goods and services. There were many opportunities to network and get to know each other better, our presenters included workshops, and we held a dinner to further our whanaungatanga with each other.

Our objectives

Tipu Pakihi, enable Māori business to flourish

Attendees received presentations from various speakers representing Māori business networks, financial institutions, and small businesses in hospitality, technology, tourism, rangatahi development, progressive procurement, innovation, business support programmes and thought leadership.

Tipu Whai Hua, deliver results together

The hui brought together Māori businesses, Iwi businesses, local and central government and key support agencies together. Over two days, these connections bore fruit with discussions underway for additional support for our Māori business networks. A number of business operators signed up for mentoring support and cadetship funding, whilst others registered with their local Māori business network.

Tipu Whai Hono, make strong connections

Engaging with the support agencies as part of the mini-expo meant the audience, particularly the networks, are better informed and able to pānui more opportunities and services to their members and whanaunga.

Through our Tipu Pakihi Inaugural Māori Business Summit, we hope to have embodied the many aspirations and intentions as possible to create a platform for our region to move forward together.

It provided us with a significant opportunity to come together, exchange ideas, and collaborate on advancing Māori business initiatives through discussions, workshops, and networking sessions, which helps us strengthen community partnerships and enhance Māori economic development.