Ngāti Whakaue Assets Trust chief executive Taurua Grant says when an initiative is designed, it is important to first engage with iwi to understand what the needs are.
"We establish what role the trust can play to support those needs, with consideration to what existing initiatives are out there so that we aren't duplicating unnecessarily.
"Our pakihi were identified as a priority area because of the positive flow-on effect of strong Ngāti Whakaue-owned business for the social and economic wellbeing of the iwi."
The Covid-19 pandemic was, in some ways, a catalyst for many entrepreneurs across the country to go out and start a business. This was witnessed in Rotorua as well.
Linda and Tatiana, who have both worked in the business support space, developed the concept of a 10-week programme that offers group sessions focused on different areas of business, with additional weekly one-on-one sessions with a dedicated business coach.
Those who complete the full programme also have an opportunity to apply for a contestable $5000 grant.
Kimberly says she jumped at the chance to educate the community through an iwi-led initiative.
"On a personal level, I've seen whānau running their own businesses, but I've also seen them struggle as they didn't have the skill set to navigate some aspects of the business world. This is what we want to combat," she says.
"We want to ensure the success of these whānau and their businesses and we have put together a team of tutors who are experts in their field, who can offer tools to help these businesses go further."
Topics covered by Toi Ohomai tutors will include strategic planning, sales, tax, legalities, building a team and attracting investment.
Toi Ohomai faculty dean Bart Vosse says the partnership is a great example of collaboration to ensure future success.
"Toi Ohomai is committed to our rohe and aims to find ways to best serve our communities. This opportunity means we can offer knowledge and tools to upskill those in small businesses.
"Rotorua is full of innovative and creative entrepreneurs, and we want to enable them to succeed. Success to them may be on a local, national or global scale, and we want to help facilitate that."
Bart says enabling small businesses like these benefits not only them, their skills and confidence, but also the wider community.
RotoruaNZ chief executive Andrew Wilson says RotoruaNZ is supportive of this pilot initiative and the innovative ways that Ngāti Whakaue are wanting to engage and support Whakaue start-up businesses.
"We hope that learnings through this approach can influence future programs focused on driving innovation in our community."
