Poutama celebrates 21 years. Read More in the latest newsletter
Māori Business
Māori have been international traders since at least the 1790s, producing and supplying potatoes, other vegetables, fruit and pigs for sale to whalers in return for powder shot, tomahawks, blankets, calico, clothing, pipes, tobacco and muskets. During the early-mid 1800s Māori were exporting food products to Sydney and the California goldfields. Māori at that time also owned and operated most of the coastal shipping.
The increasing influx of European settlers from mid 1800s saw imported values and laws gain traction, particularly around individualism of land title. Subsequent land sales, land wars and confiscations led to rapid, and in many cases irreversible, erosion of the traditional Māori economic and capital base and social institutions. The mid 1900s are epitomised by mass movements of Māori into cities, taking their labour skills and hard work ethics into the commercial centres of New Zealand.
At the turn of the 21st century, Māori enterprise and entrepreneurship has seen a significant return to and regrowth of Māori-owned businesses. Characterised by whanau or family-run operations based on collaboration and networking, the economic goals driving Māori-owned business are often underpinned by social objectives. And of all New Zealanders, entrepreneurship levels are highest among Māori, particularly Māori women.
Equipped with a culturally based business approach and style of operating Māori are confident and enthusiastic at conducting business throughout Aotearoa-New Zealand and throughout the World. Māori businesses, and those who invest in them, are reaping the benefits from growing cultural confidence, strengthening business acumen and a unique indigenous point of difference to contribute to their business activities.
KO WAI MATOU (WHO ARE WE)?
Poutama is a nationwide business development organisation that fosters the growth of Māori-owned micro and small businesses.
Since 5th July 2009 Poutama has been delivering its unique range of services for 21 years. Poutama aims to be around for the next 21 years and beyond!
Poutama is a charitable trust established to provide business development services to Māori, Poutama strives to create an environment for successful business ventures and economic growth for Māori. Income generated by investing its capital base wisely, enables Poutama to engage in activities and provide services that support and facilitate Māori business development.
Although Poutama operates independently of the Government, the Board of Trustees reports each year on the Trust's performance to the Minister of Māori Affairs. Poutama also has a substantial network of strategic links within both the private and public sectors that enable it to leverage opportunities for clients.
KEI TE AHA MATOU (WHAT DO WE DO)?
Poutama has a proven track record of working successfully with Māori businesses to help them grow. Established in 1988, our unique and effective style of operation takes account of the varied needs of Māori businesses that are often whanau run and frequently rurally based.
Poutama assists existing businesses to consolidate and grow their businesses and to set them on a path of sustainability. Poutama works across all sectors and industries that Māori businesses are involved in. This includes but is not limited to; the service sectors, tourism, information technology and primary industries.
The New Zealand business landscape is dominated by micro-businesses. Research shows that often these businesses do not grow and ultimately fail. By working with businesses to help them consolidate their activities and achieve growth and sustainability, Poutama aims to move businesses from the micro stage to the small-medium stage, and for some onto the big stage. Poutama seeks to get businesses through the difficult steps of developing and growing a business, and to ensure that as many as possible become self-sustaining and self-determining.
Contact us on 0800 476 882
By 2020 Poutama will have supported (Pou) 10000 Maori businesses (Tama) to be thriving participants in the New Zealand & Global economies
Core purpose of why
Poutama exists
‘To support Maori to Succeed in Business’
Poutama will enhance sustainable economic development by supporting growth opportunities and accelerating Maori business innovation and entrepreneurship
Passion for Maori economic self-determination
Highly motivated
Lean & flexible
Continuous learning & improvement
Mobility & Technology
Globally astute
Leveraging & brokering networks & opportunities