Taitokerau network sets up Māori businesses and professionals

The Paenuku Te Kapehu Whetu primary school performers on stage at last October's InnoNative Market showcasing indigenous businesses in Whangārei. Photo / John Stone

A new service for established and start-up Taitokerau Māori businesses and others who work or have links with them has been set up and is holding its first "let's meet" meeting next month.

Te Taitokerau Māori Business Network is a new service from Te Hiringa Business Promotions and aims to provide a platform for like-minded Māori business owners and professionals to share, learn, connect and be inspired.

The network is volunteer-led, apolitical, and pan-tribal and welcomes all sectors and industries that Māori business operate in. That could includes service sectors, food and beverage, tourism, primary industries, communications, IT, health provision and more.

Non-Māori who are interested in engaging with the Māori business community are also welcome.

Opportunities, information and connections will be available via the Te Taitokerau Māori Business Network Facebook page as well as quarterly events held throughout the region.

To help kick things off, business owners or their associates with energy, ideas and a genuine interest in supporting Māori business success in Te Taitokerau, are invited to join the team of Network Activators. email missy@poutama.co.nz.

While the network is still in start-up phase, it has the support of Te Hiringa Business Promotions, which has been advocating for Māori business in Taitokerau for over 10 years.

Te Hiringa Business Promotions Ltd was established to provide a forum for trade shows to showcase Māori products and services. The first trade show was held in 2009 as part of the Waitangi Day commemorations.

The Taitokerau Māori Business Network function is at the Butter Factory in Whangārei on Thursday, March 28, from 5pm-7pm. There will be a cash bar, and light catering sponsored by MWIS Lawyers, Whangarei. For catering purposes, people are asked to register before 5pm, March 25.