Poutama 2020 Vision
By 2020 Māori will be key participants in the
Aotearoa-New Zealand & Global economies.
Poutama Mission
Poutama seeks to enhance sustainable economic development opportunities through investment in and support of Maori business innovation and entrepreneurship
Tena koutou katoa (Greetings)
On July 5th 2009 Poutama will celebrate twenty one years of delivering a range of flexible business development services to Maori. Operating off a platform of technology and mobility Poutama’s omnipresence supported by flexibility, adaptability and embracing of change helps to create a unique organisation that supports Māori innovation and entrepreneurship.
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 business approach and style of operating, Māori are quite at home in the boardrooms and communities of Aotearoa-New Zealand and the World. Māori-owned businesses, and those who invest in them, are poised to benefit considerably from a developing asset base, growing cultural confidence, strengthening business acumen and indigenous points of difference.
KO WAI MATOU (WHO ARE WE) ?
Poutama is a nationwide business development organisation that fosters the growth of Māori-owned businesses.
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 Aotearoa-New Zealand private and public sectors, and internationally 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 creative sectors, tourism, information technology and primary industries.
The New Zealand business landscape is dominated by micro-small 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 stay in business.
Nau mai, Haere mai (Welcome) to our world
Contact us on 0800 476 882
POUTAMA WHANAU
Our Board of Trustees
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Vonese Maxwell Information Manager Vonese looks after the Trust's Information systems which include an online database, business directory and tourism website. Vonese can be contacted on: |
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Richard Jones Chief Executive Although Richard is mainly involved in the strategic development of the Trust's services he keeps in touch with what Māori businesses are doing by regularly travelling throughout Aotearoa. Richard can be contacted on: |
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Oscar Nathan Business Advisor Oscar is an experienced business operator who can offer practical advice on the development and growth of your business. Oscar can be contacted on: |
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Tom Manaena Commercial Manager Tom looks after the engine room of the Trust managing our financial resources and investment portfolio. He often gets out and about dealing with business on a kanohi ki te kanohi basis. Tom can be contacted on: |
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Gail Maxwell (ngati tukorehe / ngati raukawa) Office Manager Wellington Gail is often your first point of contact with Poutama, she is reponsible for the smooth and efficient running of our office systems and administration. She's also Vonese's Mum. Gail can be contacted on |
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