Te Awe Wellington Māori Business Network

21/10/2026

This incredible awards is coming up for our region!

If you are keen to enter touch base with us to put you forward for a nomination!

Tipu Pakihi 2026 is coming December 2nd! 🌀

We’re excited to announce that Tipu Pakihi, Te Matarau a Māui’s celebration of te ohanga Māori, is returning in 2026.

Tipu Pakihi brings together entrepreneurs, rangatahi, iwi representatives, business owners and kaimahi from across Te Ūpoko o Te Ika. It’s a space to connect, learn and grow, covering Māori entrepreneurship, business upskilling, innovation and incubation, and regional economic development.

For now, save the date, and more details to come! ✨

05/10/2026

Our dear friends from Federation of Maori Authorities are hosting their upcoming gathering Huihuinga Wāhine, an opportunity to listen to incredible leaders, entrepreneurs and change makers.

We are lucky this year the huihuinga will be held in Te Whanganui a Tara

To learn more about FOMA and their mahi click here: https://foma.org.nz/about/

To register for the summit November 11 click here: https://foma.org.nz/huihuinga-wahine-2026/

27/09/2026

Do we have any whānau cleaning companies keen to put themselves forward for an opportunity which closes tomorrow Monday afternoon at 4pm.

You must have integrity, do the mahi well and have good references.

Here is the request.

"We are running an RFP for a cleaning contract for our office in Wellington (4 floors). Is there anyone from your connections that we could ask to submit an EOI submission which closes 4pm Monday 28 September?"

For the details you need to be a member of Te Awe. Once joined send us a PM and we will send you the EOI

Join us here:
https://www.teawe.maori.nz/

23/09/2026

Te Awe are grateful to the organisers of WOW the World of Wearable Arts and CEO Meg Williams who was one of our mentors in the Te Taiohi Toa o Te Awe programme provided us an opportunity to sponsor rangatahi from Porirua and supporters to attend this incredible event.

Thank you also to our esteemed kaumātua Donas Nathan, Bill Nathan for joining us, representatives from the Porirua Whānau Centre - Jessica Te Huia and these awesome rangatahi and their Kaiako Whaea Bee from Mana College.

Our Chair Kaye-Maree Dunn and Board believe in the importance of mentorship and providing opportunities to our young people to grow and expand their minds.

She says: "WOW is a huge contributor to Wellington's economy bringing in over $30 million across hospitality, retail, accommodation, and a wide range of local businesses. The show itself demonstrates the power of art, creativity, performance and fashion which are areas we should continue to invest in for years to come".

Congratulations to all the award winners and participants, we think your mahi is both inspiring and incredible.

Thank you Bobi Te Runa for helping to make it happen and Anastasia Marama Huiarangi for your organising in the background.

📷 WOW and Whaea Bee - Mana College.

21/09/2026

If you are Te Āti Awa this could be an incredible opportunity for you and your pakihi.

Grants for solo preneurs and whānau enterprises.

Tahua Whaihua - Te Atiawa Pakihi Grants Programme

15/09/2026

Thursday 24 September our friends from BizHub Porirua are hosting this incredible kaikōrero Serena Fiso

If you are looking for inspo

This is it!

2pm - 3.30pm

Register on the link below

This month at The Peak, we’re proud to host successful business woman, Serena Fiso (Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi, Ngāti Ruanui, Ngāti Hineuru).

From Porirua beginnings to a multi-award-winning business with reach across Aotearoa and into Samoa — Serena built Connect Global from the ground up. Now she's bringing her whānau entrepreneurship journey to our stage.

From lessons learned building a business to watching her own tamariki carve out their own success, Serena's kōrero is about the ripple effect — how one person's journey can create confidence, opportunity and possibility for generations to come.

She'll also share how Wāhine Māori can access lending and funded business support through her work with Māori Women's Development Inc. 💡

📅 Thursday 24 September, 2pm – 3:30pm
📍 BizHub Porirua, 7 Hartham Place, Porirua

See you there 🌱

14/09/2026

Kohinga Koha - Te Arikinui Māori Economic Summit in Tauranga looks incredible.

We encourage our members keen to expand into new regions and foster relationships

Register.

MWDI is proud to support Kohinga Koha – Te Arikinui Māori Economic Summit, taking place 20–22 October 2026 at Baypark, Tauranga Moana.

Bringing together pakihi Māori, leaders, investors and communities, Kohinga Koha is an opportunity to connect, share whakaaro, build relationships and explore new opportunities for the Māori economy.

We encourage our wāhine Māori in business to register and be part of it — whether you’re looking to showcase your pakihi, grow your networks, gain inspiration or connect with others across the Māori business community.

Three days of connection, opportunity and inspiration, rounded off with an incredible Entertainment Showcase featuring Ria Hall, Black Comet, Corrella and L.A.B.

Registrations are now open. Find out more and register at kohingakoha.nz

13/09/2026

Te Awe extend our thanks to Nuku Ora and Iwi for hosting the incredible Āti Awa Toa Wellington Regional Awards, an event that has been celebrated now for 40 years that acknowledges, people, clubs, teams, officials, coaches and volunteers who make sport and active recreation in our region work so well.

Our Co-Chair Kaye-Maree Dunn was privileged to acknowledge the Wellington Phoenix Women and the Paekākāriki U23 Women’s Surf Boat Crew - winners of the Team of the Year category for this year.

We know it takes team work to make the business work and we see the true benefits of celebrating all those involved in bringing joy, healthy competition and sport to life in our great cities of the Wellington Region.

Thank you Hauraki Betty Hauraki Anita Murdoch Luke Rowe, Michelle Boynton and our youngest team supporter No'o-Rongomau for your collective tautoko of the evening.

Hei tērā tau

Nuku Ora - an active Wellington region
Awa Toa

10/09/2026

How the Māori Women's Development Inc - MWDI loans work and how much you can borrow

01/09/2026

Kia ora koutou,

The Inclusive Research Centre is recruiting Youth Ambassadors for the research project, Young People’s Understandings of Gender Equity and Pay Equity in Aotearoa, commissioned by Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission.

We are looking for young people aged 18–34 from across Aotearoa who are interested in gender equity, pay equity, fairness at work and ensuring diverse youth voices are represented in research. No previous experience or specialist knowledge of gender or pay equity is required. We are looking for young people who can bring their lived experiences, community connections and willingness to learn.

Youth Ambassadors will:
Connect the project with young people in their communities and networks.
Support local pop-ups and research recruitment activities.
Encourage diverse young people to participate in the research.
Participate in the co-design of the project.
Help ensure the project’s engagement approaches are accessible and relevant to young people.

This is a flexible, short-term opportunity involving approximately 15 hours during September and October 2026. Appreciation for each Ambassador’s time and contribution will be provided, along with support for approved research-related expenses.

We particularly welcome applications from young people whose communities and experiences are often underrepresented in research, including rangatahi Māori, Pacific, Asian, Middle Eastern, Latin American, African, Pākehā, migrant and refugee-background, disabled, neurodivergent and rainbow young people. Applications from young people living in regional or rural communities or working in low-paid, casual or insecure employment are also encouraged.

Applications close at 11:59 pm on Tuesday, 8 September 2026. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and recruitment may close early once all positions have been filled.
Further information and applications:
https://jobs.dogoodjobs.co.nz/job/22055/youth-ambassador-gender-and-pay-equity-research/

The recruitment flyer is attached. Please share this opportunity with eligible young people and through any relevant community, youth, workplace or professional networks.

If you have any questions, please contact the Inclusive Research Centre at [email protected].

Ngā mihi,
Dr Rachel Mukwezwa Tapera
Inclusive Research Centre