Southern Māori entrepreneurial excellence will be celebrated in Tāhuna Queenstown next month.
For the first time, Otago-Southland Māori business network, Te Kupeka Umaka Māori ki Āraiteuru (Kuma), will include the Kuma Māori Business Awards with its Māori Business Showcase.
The immersive event, which includes a market day, workshops, panel discussions, cultural masterclasses and tourism experiences offered by southern Māori businesses, offers a chance for the public to engage with Māori businesses and experience Te Ao Māori first-hand.
It’ll be held from September 29 to October 1 and culminate in the eighth Kuma Māori Business Awards, being presented on September 30.
Open to any business in Otago, Southland and the Queenstown-Lakes which identifies as Māori, categories this year are Te Tohu Rangatira Whakahaere Leadership Award, Te Tohu Pito Mata Emerging Business Leadership Award, Te Tohu Manaakitanga Customer Excellence Award and Te Tohu Whakawhanaungatanga Collaboration Award.
A new category, Te Tohu Tangata Tiriti — Te Tiriti Partnership Award, is open to any organisation demonstrating a strong commitment to upholding the principles of partnership, co-design, equity and connectedness with Māori, as set out in Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
The supreme winner will be awarded the He Tohu Maumahara ki a Suzanne Spencer Award.
Kuma board chair Claire Porima says mātauranga Māori recognises the unique perspectives and approaches that Māori businesses bring to the table, highlighting the integration of ancestral wisdom with contemporary innovation.
‘‘Mātauranga Māori underscores the ethical dimensions of Māori businesses, promoting sustainability, community wellbeing and cultural integrity.
“Our intent for the Kuma Māori Business Showcase and Awards is to celebrate and empower Māori in business, creating opportunities that showcase the exceptional talent and innovation within the Māori business sector and to welcome our community to experience it for themselves.”
Entries close at 5pm on September 1.
