What Te Matarau a Māui does

Te Matarau a Māui is a charitable trust and Māori economic development agency operating across Te Upoko o Te Ika (the Greater Wellington Region), New Zealand. Formally established in June 2022, it was created to implement a regional Māori economic development strategy developed by the Ara Tahi Forum of mana whenua leaders, which identified the need for a cohesive region-wide approach to support Māori economic aspirations. The organisation serves Māori businesses and entrepreneurs, rangatahi (youth aged 16–30), iwi and Māori collectives (six mana whenua groups), and local/central government agencies, operating as a publicly funded intermediary rather than a commercial enterprise. It targets structural problems including the fragmentation of Māori economic development support, underrepresentation of Māori in government procurement, low Māori self-employment rates (10% vs 16.5% non-Māori), and educational and skills gaps.

The organisation delivers a portfolio of programmes organised around four strategic pou: Whai Pūkenga (capability), Whai Rawa (enterprise), Whai Mana (leadership), and Whai Kaha Hapori (community). Core programmes include Te Aka Pakihi (tuakana–teina business mentoring), Te Ara Hokohoko (procurement support), Te Kotahitanga (data and regional GIS mapping combining government datasets with iwi knowledge), Te Whatunga Pakihi (the regional Māori business network), Tipu Pakihi (annual summit drawing 160+ attendees), Whakaaro ki te Pōti (civic participation), Matarau Rautaki (4–6 strategic wānanga per year), and new additions including Te Kākano a Māui (climate accelerator), Ngā Paoa o Te Hinengaro (innovation sprints), and Te Pūaho a Māui (cybersecurity and innovation). Its technology platform, Te Hihiri, is a hybrid digital-physical innovation ecosystem integrating physical infrastructure, cultural values, digital capability, and whānau aspirations, distributed across five regional innovation nodes (Pōneke, Porirua, Kāpiti-Horowhenua, Wairarapa, Hutt Valley planned) hosted by trusted Māori business networks and iwi partners.

The business model is government-grant funded rather than commercially priced. Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) provides NZD 450,000 per annum baseline operational funding under a multi-year agreement, supplemented by project-based funding from Te Puni Kōkiri, Wellington City Council, MBIE, DIA, NZTE, MSD, SWDC, and iwi partners. All programmes and services are provided free of charge to participants. With only six employees, the organisation leverages a distributed delivery model through its four regional Māori business networks (Te Rōpū Pakihi, Te Awe, Māori in Business Wairarapa, Awarua), iwi partners, education providers (Te Herenga Waka/Victoria University, Te Wānanga o Raukawa), and government partners. Revenue concentration on a small number of Crown funders is the defining structural characteristic of this model.

Name

Te Matarau a Māui

Legal name

Te Matarau a Māui Ltd.

Website

https://tematarau.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Te Matarau a Māui is a Māori economic development charitable trust serving Te Upoko o Te Ika (Greater Wellington), delivering business mentoring, digital innovation, procurement support, and rangatahi development through government-funded regional nodes and a four-pou strategic framework.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Māori Economic Development Services

NAICS

American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal Governments (92115), American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal Governments (921150)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Institutional Capacity Building & Training (Workforce/Systems Strengthening) (BPADAEAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Digital Development & ICT4D / GovTech Technical Assistance (BPADAEAL), Minority, Indigenous & Disability Rights (BPADAGAH)

Keywords

• Maori economic development
• Indigenous business support
• Community development services
• Rangatahi employment programmes
• Maori procurement mentoring

Headquarters

HQ city

Wellington

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Te Matarau a Māui operates primarily through government funding. Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) provides baseline operational funding and project-based investment of $450,000 per annum under a multi-year funding agreement. Additional funding comes from project-based partnerships with government agencies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Te Matarau a Māui operates as a Māori economic development agency for Te Ūpoko o Te Ika (the Greater Wellington region), delivering free programmes that advance Māori enterprise, leadership, innovation, and wellbeing. The portfolio spans business mentoring, procurement support, a regional digital innovation hub with five nodes, data/GIS mapping, civic participation, regional summits, and youth pathways, all delivered in partnership with iwi, Māori business networks, and government agencies.

Product overview

Te Matarau a Māui operates as a multi-programme Māori economic development platform rather than a single product. The portfolio comprises Te Aka Pakihi (business mentoring), Te Hihiri (digital innovation hub), Te Ara Hokohoko (procurement support), Te Kotahitanga (data & GIS mapping), Te Whatunga Pakihi (regional business network), Tipu Pakihi (annual summit), Whakaaro ki te Pōti (civic participation), Mātāwaka Engagement, Matarau Rautaki (future focus events), Kaupapa Māori Impact Framework, and the SWDC Rangatahi Advisor Partnership. These programmes are structured around four strategic pou: Whai Pūkenga (capability building), Whai Rawa (enterprise growth), Whai Mana (leadership), and Whai Kaha Hapori (community strength), with supporting resources like Kete Mātauranga for procurement education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Te Aka Pakihi – Māori Business Mentoring

Quantifiable outcome

• Past Tipu Pakihi summits have drawn over 160 attendees from across the Māori business ecosystem.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Te Rōpū Pakihi InccoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKāpiti and Horowhenua Māori Business Network. Established in April 2001, Te Rōpū Pakihi supports the growth and development of Māori enterprise in the Kāpiti and Horowhenua areas through ten kaupapa tuku iho values. The network meets regularly online and in person with free membership. Host of the Kāpiti–Horowhenua innovation node for Te Hīhiri.
• Te AwecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTe Whanganui a Tara Māori Business Network dedicated to encouraging and promoting Māori business enterprises in Wellington through highly effective networking hui and manaakitanga. Co-host of Matarau Rautaki events and partnered with Victoria University on Māori business survey.
• Māori in Business WairarapacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWairarapa region Māori business network providing platform and networking for Māori businesses in Wairarapa with regular meetups, focus groups, newsletters, and active Facebook page. Host of Wairarapa innovation node.
• AwaruacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPorirua Māori business network (Te Pākihi Māori o Porirua). Provides platform and networking for Māori businesses in Porirua. Partnered on Whakaaro ki te Pōti civic participation initiative. Host of Porirua innovation node.
• Greater Wellington Regional CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGWRC is the primary government funder providing baseline operational funding and project-based investment of $450,000 per annum under a multi-year funding agreement. GWRC funded the development of the Te Matarau strategy and continues as a committed partner committed to Tiriti-based collaboration.
• Te Puni KōkiricoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment's principal policy advisor on Māori wellbeing and development. Supports policy alignment, resourcing, and scaling of Māori economic development initiatives. Partner in Te Hīhiri regional innovation nodes.
• Wellington City CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to foster a prosperous Māori economy by integrating te ao Māori into local decision-making. Focus on growing businesses, improving procurement, and creating high-value career pathways for rangatahi.
• Te Hapori MatihikominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal community for Māori working or aspiring to work in digital or tech industries. Provides advocacy, connection, and cultural support empowering whānau Māori in Te Ao Matihiko. Partner in Te Hīhiri ecosystem.
• Ngāti Toa RangatiracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMana whenua iwi partner in Te Hīhiri ecosystem. One of six iwi partners in the regional innovation network. Ngāti Toa has grown asset base from $294 million (2021) to estimated $811 million (2022).
• Te Āti Awa ki WhakarongotaicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMana whenua iwi partner in Te Hīhiri ecosystem. Te Āti Awa ki Whakarongotai settled claims under the Te Āti Awa o Te Waka-a-Māui Deed of Settlement.
• Taranaki Whānui ki te Ūpoko o te IkacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMana whenua iwi representing descendants of Te Āti Awa and other Taranaki iwi in Wellington. Settled with Crown in 2008. Post-settlement entity is Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust.
• Ngā Hapū o ŌtakicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMana whenua hapū partner in Te Hīhiri ecosystem. Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga represented by Ngā Hapū o Ōtaki, nearing end of Waitangi Tribunal hearings for Treaty settlement.
• Te Ātiawa ki Te Whanganui-a-TaracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMana whenua iwi partner in Te Hīhiri ecosystem.
• Ngāti RangitānecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMana whenua iwi partner in Te Hīhiri ecosystem. Rangitāne o Wairarapa settled with Crown in 2016 with around 3,000 registered members and expanding asset base.
• Kahungunu ki WairarapacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMana whenua iwi partner in Te Hīhiri ecosystem. Ngāti Kahungunu Tamaki Nui-a-Rua settled Treaty claims in March 2020 with approximately 12,000 members.
• Te Herenga Waka (Victoria University of Wellington)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation provider partner in Te Hīhiri ecosystem. Partnered with Te Awe on co-designing regional Māori business survey.
• Te Wānanga o RaukawaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation provider partner in Te Hīhiri ecosystem.
• Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment sector partner in Te Hīhiri ecosystem.
• Department of Internal Affairs (DIA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment sector partner in Te Hīhiri ecosystem.
• New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment sector partner in Te Hīhiri ecosystem.
• Ministry of Social Development (MSD)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment sector partner in Te Hīhiri ecosystem.
• Ngāti PōnekecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Mātāwaka Engagement Initiative to uplift, connect, and activate urban Māori and taurahere communities. Hosted foundational wānanga for the initiative.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Callaghan Innovation: Callaghan Innovation is a New Zealand government innovation agency supporting tech and innovation capability across firms, including Māori and Pacific entities. Comparable to Te Matarau's Te Hīhiri digital innovation hub as a regional innovation infrastructure provider, though operating at national scale.
• Te Rourou - Vodafone Aotearoa Foundation (now One New Zealand Foundation): Te Rourou is a philanthropic foundation supporting Māori and Pacific digital inclusion, youth, and community outcomes across Aotearoa. Comparable to Te Matarau in supporting Māori-focused digital capability and rangatahi pathways, though operating at national funder scale.

Broad incumbents

• Te Puni Kōkiri: Te Puni Kōkiri is the New Zealand government's principal policy advisor on Māori wellbeing and development, a named partner of Te Matarau a Māui. Comparable as a funder and policy shaper for Māori economic development, though operating at national government scale rather than regional.
• New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE): NZTE is New Zealand's international business development agency supporting export and enterprise growth, including targeted support for Māori businesses. Comparable to Te Matarau as a named partner and as an enterprise development provider, though focused on international trade rather than regional Māori economy.
• Ngāi Tahu (Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu): Ngāi Tahu is Aotearoa's largest iwi with substantial economic development, investment, and social programmes spanning the South Island. Comparable to Te Matarau a Māui as a Māori-led economic development organisation, though operating at a far larger scale and geographic scope.

Direct peers

• Ākina Foundation: Ākina is a New Zealand social enterprise and impact organisation providing capability building, procurement support, and enterprise development services. Comparable to Te Matarau as a capability and enterprise development provider, though focused on social enterprise rather than Māori-specific kaupapa.
• Te Rōpū Pakihi (Inc): Te Rōpū Pakihi is a core channel partner of Te Matarau a Māui, operating as a Kāpiti–Horowhenua Māori business network supporting enterprise growth in their sub-region. Comparable as a Māori business network delivering capability and networking support, though sub-regionally scoped and not an economic development agency per se.
• Māori Women's Development Inc: MWDI is a national Māori economic development organisation providing capability, funding, and enterprise support to Māori (including wāhine) entrepreneurs. Comparable to Te Matarau as a Māori-focused enterprise and capability development provider, though operating nationally and with a gender-focused lens.
• WellingtonNZ (Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency): WellingtonNZ is the regional economic development agency for the same Wellington region that Te Matarau serves. Comparable as a regional economic development body operating in the same rohe, though focused on the broader regional economy rather than the Māori economy specifically.

Regional players

• Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Maia: Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei is an Auckland-based iwi with significant commercial and social investment activity supporting iwi members' economic participation. Comparable to Te Matarau as an iwi-anchored economic development body, though Auckland-based and structured around a single iwi rather than a multi-iwi regional agency.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/te-matarau-a-maui

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Te Matarau a Māui