Helping Māori enterprise to thrive
18 February 2017 | Read time: 2 minutes
We’ve co-hosted two events recently to explore opportunities for Māori enterprise to be best-positioned for a future high-tech economy.
The first was a hui for Māori ICT businesses that saw attendees discuss how SfTI could add value to their operations.
Held in association with Te Punaha Matatini and Te Waka o Tama-rereti, the hui sought views on the future of ICT from a Māori business, iwi or Trust perspective and opportunities to partner with SfTI researchers to develop projects that contribute to social and economic value for Māori.
There was a strong call for SfTI to develop Māori-led spearhead research, and ideas from the hui will be used to develop the next spearhead projects.
The second event was a Māori Business Leaders’ high-tech summit, held in partnership with the Federation of Māori Authorities (FOMA).
Led by SfTI Vision Mātauranga research theme leader Dr Te Taka Keegan and FOMA Chair Traci Houpapa, the summit sought a Māori perspective on the areas of physical science and engineering that the Challenge should invest in to support Māori enterprise, and is a key input to next week’s workshop.
SfTI Challenge Advisor Strategy and Implementation Reece Moors says the two events generated some exciting ideas that if developed, could bring huge benefits not just to Māori but the wider economy.