"Our pāke (adults) said they wanted to know more about how to be set up properly, did they need to be GST registered, and how to navigate this time with Covid," Taputoro said.
"From the feedback we got, we knew there was more to this than just digital skills.
"How can we be smarter and more savvy entrepreneurs in the way our world is going?"
Following a hui with Whanganui and Partners, Taputoro and Walker got to work.
The summit will debut on November 6.
Guests include Inland Revenue (IRD), the Ministry of Social Development (MSD), Westpac, Te Manū Atatu, and Ngā Tangata Tiaki o Whanganui.
Walker, strategic lead for capability at Whanganui and partners, said the event would be the start of creating a stronger Māori business ecosystem in the city.
"We've spoken with accountants who even find it difficult to navigate the rules around IRD, so to have an IRD specialist at the summit, who is also Māori, means people are going to have that trust, and they are going to know they have someone to go to," Walker said.
"It's important they have that kanohi ki te kanohi (face to face) interaction first, it's all about that whakapiringatanga, which is the getting to know one another phase.
"We're hoping the event will help springboard some of these relationships for them."
As Māori, those relationships were really important, Taputoro said.
"We don't want to just go and stand somewhere and listen to somebody talk.
"I went with my son to Armageddon, and I loved the way it ran. You could dress up, engage, and have chats.
"That's where I got this idea from. You should be able to walk around freely and talk to people."
Taputoro said it was often wives and daughters who were keener to come to these kinds of events.
"Dad and hubby say 'I just want to do the work'.
"It's about finding that professionalism and that next level, though.
"If you've got a website it looks the part, and you're able to say 'here are our prices' or 'here are our bookings'."
Taputoro had been "the engine" driving the initiative, Walker said.
"Seletar is the person who has the trust of the pakihi (businesses), she's been on that journey with them from the start. That's really important."
There were kaimahi Māori (Māori workers) within bodies such as Westpac and MSD, and they would be present at the summit, Taputoro said.
"Someone like Kemp Dryden (Westpac Area Business Development Manager Māori - Iwi), the whānau know him.
"He understands how difficult it is to open a business account for example, so he's putting together a little package to say 'have this, this, and this ready, and we'll walk you through it'."
Walker said the bigger outcome from the summit would be to create "a little village" of support, not just for these businesses, but for all those starting out in the future.
"You don't have to turn up in a business suit, just come and be yourself, bring your business cards, and make connections.
"Whanganui does community really well, and this is just another example of that."
The inaugural Pakihi Māori Summit will be held on November 6 at Frank Bar and Eatery.
