Our team
We’re a small group of passionate professionals who understand Māori businesses and see innovation as a crucial pathway to success for Māori.
We’re here to tautoko your business by connecting you to the right research and development (R&D) services and co-funding, and the right opportunities and networks, to help you innovate, commercialise and grow faster.
E hara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini.
Who we help
- All entities, iwi organisations, land trusts, incorporations and businesses that self-identify as Māori.
- Companies acquired by Māori as major shareholders.
It’s about whenua and whanau
Wakatū is a Māori family-owned business based in Te Tau Ihu (the top of the South Island). A business of land and sea, Wakatū has three parts: Manaaki, Whenua and Kono
Kōkiri
Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and Callaghan Innovation have teamed up with influential sector leaders to create and roll out Kōkiri
Tech, Science and Mātauranga Māori a Powerful Force
Māori are enjoying a stellar year of innovation, with record numbers engaging in R&D, and making up nearly half the finalists in this year’s New Zealander of the Year Awards.
Read more about Tech, Science and Mātauranga Māori a Powerful Force
Kiwa Digital
Kiwa Digital was a finalist for the Māori Innovation Award in the 2018 Hi-Tech Awards. In this video CEO Steven Renata shares Kiwa Digital’s journey as a global production house for experiential digital books.
Are you eligible?
We need more Māori businesses to invest in and pursue innovation, commercialisation and growth.
If you are ready, willing and able for R&D, our team is here to help.
You will need:
- A clear commercial proposition and pathway to market for your innovation/product.
- A clear project plan requiring R&D to create the innovation (we can help with this).
- To be ready, willing and able to finance the R&D, then take it to market.
Note: If you are not yet at this stage, please visit one of our Regional Business Partners.
Our services and initiatives
Below are links to some of the initiatives and services available to eligible businesses.
Our research and development services
Find out how our R&D teams can help your business succeed through technology.
R&D funding
A range of R&D funding to add scale, depth and return to your R&D investment.
Innovation skills
Giving you the knowledge, skills, and motivation to innovate and succeed.
Te Whare a Māui - The Māori Innovation Hub
Connect with other Māori businesses and work alongside Callaghan Innovation's experts at our purpose-built hub for Māori innovators.
Matariki X - is back for 2019!
Don't miss the Māori Economy event of the year!
Matariki X is back in 2019 to inspire and empower our Māori innovators. Connect with others, share new ideas, and learn how to better manage and grow your business. Hear from a stellar line-up of 2019 keynote speakers, upskill at a Masterclass workshop, and network with Matariki’s rising entrepreneurial stars, business influencers, senior Māori leaders, economic development specialists and Government representatives.
Find out more and register online now!
Further insights and inspiration
- Ka tū papahū a “Kōkiri” ki Kirikiriroa
- Nuku ki te Puku - turning 'food for thought' into 'food for tech'
- Figure.nz - Find and use figures about our country, for free.
- Business.govt.nz - Tips, tools and advice for New Zealand businesses
- E Rere - The action plan for He kai kei aku ringa.
- Māui Rau: Adapting in a changing world (KPMG)
- Wish we'd thought of that: Amazing Māori innovation (Idealog)
Get in touch to find out how we can help you.