Media release - Thursday 13th August 2020

Māori business networks come together to host regional business summit

Five Māori business networks between Porirua and have come together to host the first Te Tai Hauāuru Māori business summit and to shape a regional strategy to support Māori businesses and whānau through the anticipated economic recession.

Named, Te Kāhui Pakihi o Te Tai Hauāuru, the hui will provide the opportunity for the networks to promote their members, share their experiences, explore opportunities and to hear from an exciting array of speakers.

Guest speakers include the Minister for Māori Development, Hon. and MP for Te Tai Hauāuru, Adrian Rurawhe. Presentations on social procurement, Māori employment and the recently launched online Māori mall, Hokohoko will be provided.

The Greater Regional Council team will also launch their regional Māori economic development strategy, Te Matarau o Maui during the day. Spokesperson for Awarua, the Porirua Māori business network, Liz Kelly felt that “through social procurement arrangements with both local and central government, Māori businesses will be able to collaborate and grow their capacity”.

Due to ongoing Covid-19 uncertainty, the organisers have made the decision to make this a digital hui with the five networks coming together online. Chair of Te Manu Atatū (Whanganui), Carol Hayward said that “this Summit is a great way for us to come together and to think about how kotahitanga will enable us to shape new plans to support our very important members in our network throughout the challenge that is Covid, and in the future direction for their businesses”.

Vonese Walker, Executive member for Te Au Pakihi (Manawatū) said that with forecasted Māori job losses of 3,000 or more, “anecdotally we know that our Māori small-medium enterprises create new jobs and that they employ Māori”. She went on to say that “Strong Māori businesses contribute significantly to Māori employment, it’s that simple!”

Convenor for the hui, Daphne Luke of Te Rōpū Pakihi o Kāpiti Horowhenua said the idea of the hui came from a weekly business breakfast hosted by Te Rōpū Pakihi (Kāpiti- Horowhenua) during Covid-19 lockdown in April-June. Members of the five networks would join representatives from Te Puni Kōkiri, the Ministry for Social Development, CEDA and WellingtonNZ weekly to share information, provide support and plan initiatives.

Hokohoko, the Māori Mall emerged from those discussions. Hokohoko was funded by Māori investment company, Hautaki Limited and supported by Te Puni Kōkiri is offering its vendors business support and training.

Business breakfasts are being hosted in Whanganui, Manawatū, Ōtaki and Porirua, details of these events can be viewed on our website www.trp.maori.nz. The networks are encouraging all Māori in business or thinking about starting up a business in the region to join the hui either in person or online – you don’t have to be a network member.

Those interested in attending are encouraged to register at the Te Rōpū Pakihi website, www.trp.maori.nz or email [email protected] for more information.

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For more information: • Liz Kelly, Awarua, Porirua Māori Business Network – 021 882 019 • Carol Hayward, Te Manu Atatū, Whanganui – 027 600 5083 • Vonese Walker, Te Au Pakihi, Manawatū – 021 683 681 • Daphne Luke, Te Rōpū Pakihi, Kāpiti – 027 457 8713