Te Taumata

What Te Taumata does

Te Taumata (legal name: Te Rōpū Taumata Charitable Trust) is a Māori-led charitable trust headquartered in Pukerua Bay, New Zealand, that serves as the primary voice for Māori interests in international trade policy. Originally established in September 2019 as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade's (MFAT) Māori Trade Advisory Group through a formal MOU, the organization transitioned to an independent charitable trust structure in June 2024 to broaden its funding base while maintaining a close working relationship with MFAT. The organization emerged from the Trade for All Advisory Board (TFAAB) following regional hui with Māori stakeholders and the Waitangi Tribunal's WAI2522 inquiry into Māori claims regarding CPTPP negotiations.

The organization operates through four core service pillars: Trade Advocacy & Advice (advising government and foreign missions on Māori rights and interests in FTAs such as NZ-EU, NZ-UK, ACCTS, DEPA, and India); Trade Implementation (delivering action plans, regional hui, and trade missions to maximize FTA benefits for Māori businesses); Tauhokohoko Research (a five-year partnership with Te Kotahi Institute at University of Waikato to indigenize trade policy, measurement, and facilitation); and Indigenous-to-Indigenous Trade (building global indigenous trade relationships with Canada, USA, Australia, France, and others). A complementary Online Wānanga Series provides trade education across geopolitics, FTA leverage, technology in trade, India market access, indigenous trade agreements, and services trade. Te Taumata has no proprietary technology products; its deliverables are advisory services, policy advocacy, research outputs, and convening activities rather than commercial software or goods.

Its stakeholders span Māori exporters and businesses (ranging from Wakatū/Kono LLP and Golden Bay Fruit to Wai Mānuka and the Wāhine Māori Tech Leaders cohort), iwi/hapū/whānau collectives with economic interests in trade and whenua, and New Zealand government agencies including MFAT, NZTE, and Callaghan Innovation. The go-to-market motion is community-led rather than commercial: engagement runs through regional hui (three annually), trade missions (France, UK, Ireland, Japan, India, Pacific nations), online wānanga webinars, the Panui newsletter, and direct advisory relationships. Funding flows from charitable trust sources and government-aligned partnerships; no commercial pricing model applies. Governance rests with a board chaired by Hone McGregor (also chair of Wakatū Incorporation and Kono LLP), with deputy Rawson Wright and trustees covering law, digital policy, Asia engagement, and iwi-level economic development expertise.

Name

Te Taumata

Legal name

Te Rōpū Taumata Charitable Trust

Website

https://tetaumata.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Te Taumata is a Māori-led charitable trust in New Zealand that advocates for Māori interests in international trade policy, serving Māori exporters, iwi, hapū, and whānau through trade advocacy, FTA implementation support, indigenous trade research, and indigenous-to-indigenous trade initiatives.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Policy Advocacy

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Indigenous, Ethnic & Folk Arts/Heritage Organizations (BPAGAHAI)

Keywords

• Trade policy advocacy
• Indigenous trade research
• Free trade agreements
• Māori export support
• Indigenous-to-indigenous trade

Headquarters

HQ city

Pukerua Bay

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Charitable Trust Operations: Te Taumata operates as a charitable trust with the stated purpose of advocating for Māori interests in international trade policy. The organization was previously the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Māori Trade Advisory Group and maintains close connections with MFAT while now able to seek additional funding consistent with its charitable purpose.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Te Taumata is a New Zealand charitable trust that advocates for Māori interests in international trade policy and free trade agreements. It provides trade advocacy and advice to Government and foreign missions, supports trade implementation through roadmaps and regional hui, conducts indigenous trade research through the Tauhokohoko partnership with the University of Waikato, and builds indigenous-to-indigenous trade relationships globally. It also delivers an Online Wānanga educational series for Māori businesses and exporters.

Product overview

Te Taumata is a charitable trust providing an authentic voice for Māori on trade between New Zealand and the rest of the world. The organization operates four core service pillars: Trade Advocacy & Advice (advocating for Māori interests in free trade agreements with Government and foreign missions), Trade Implementation (supporting trade through roadmaps, regional hui, and trade missions for EU, UK, UAE, GCC, DEPA, and ACCTS FTAs), Indigenous Trade Research/Tauhokohoko (five-year research project to indigenise trade policy with University of Waikato), and Indigenous-to-Indigenous Trade (building global indigenous trade relationships). Additionally, Te Taumata offers an Online Wānanga Series for trade education. Together, these services form an integrated approach to advancing Māori economic participation in international trade.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Tauhokohoko: Five-year research project in partnership with Te Kotahi Institute at University of Waikato, aimed at indigenising trade policy, measurement, and facilitation. Has three key research areas: Mana Motuhake (indigenising trade policy), Huanga (measuring Indigenous trade outcomes), and Waiora (enabling Indigenous trade through entrepreneurial ecosystems).

Products and services

• Trade Advocacy & Advice Provides advice to Government and foreign missions on Māori rights and interests in upcoming free trade agreements (including NZ-EU FTA, NZ-UK FTA, ACCTS, DEPA, India FTA) and other international agreements that Aotearoa/NZ is considering joining. Targeted at policymakers, trade negotiators, and Māori stakeholders.
• Trade Implementation Supports trade implementation through roadmaps, regional hui, and trade missions, delivering action plans for EU, UK, UAE, GCC, DEPA, and ACCTS FTAs to maximise Māori trade benefits. For Māori businesses and exporters seeking to leverage FTA opportunities.
• Tauhokohoko (Indigenous Trade Research) Five-year research project in partnership with Te Kotahi Institute at University of Waikato focused on indigenising trade policy using Indigenous worldviews, knowledges, and values; measuring Indigenous trade outcomes; and enabling Indigenous trade through Māori entrepreneurial ecosystems. For researchers, policymakers, and indigenous trade practitioners.
• Indigenous-to-Indigenous Trade Growing and strengthening global indigenous trade relationships, building partnerships with Indigenous peoples worldwide for cultural exchange and trade cooperation, including connections with Canada, USA, Australia, France, and other nations' indigenous peoples. For Māori businesses and global indigenous partners.
• Te Taumata Online Wānanga Series Online educational series providing trade training and knowledge exchange for Māori businesses, exporters, and economic leaders. Sessions cover geopolitics and trade, leveraging FTAs, tech in trade, India market access, indigenous trade agreements, and trade in services.

Quantifiable outcome

• Māori economy valued at $70 billion, growing to $100 billion by 2030
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Te Kotahi Institute (University of Waikato)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 November 2024Partnership to create Tauhokohoko, a five-year research project aimed at Indigenising trade policy, measurement, and facilitation. The project aspires to revitalize the trade ancestors engaged in, with indigenous trade having potential to transform trade policy enabling mana motuhake (autonomy), huanga (benefits), and waiora (wellbeing). Three key research areas: Mana Motuhake, Huanga, and Waiora.
• French Government / French EmbassycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 May 2024Signing of French–Māori EU FTA Roadmap to implement Chapter 20 of the EU–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement. Partnership focuses on strengthening ties between French and Māori economies, including collaboration in green transition technologies, innovative agriculture, tourism development, and scientific exchange. Commemorated 80th anniversary of France-NZ diplomatic relations.
• Callaghan InnovationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 March 2023Te Taumata and Callaghan Innovation signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work closer together to support greater success for Māori business domestically and internationally. The MOU builds on a national strategy hui at Parliament on Māori global trade aspirations. The partnership aims to grow the next generation of Māori leaders in innovation, sciences, technology, research and development by sharing resources, expertise and innovation. Initial MOU period is three years.
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 September 2019Formal Memorandum of Understanding signed in September 2019 establishing Te Taumata as the Māori Trade Advisory Group. Te Taumata provides advice to Government and foreign missions on Māori rights and interests in FTAs and other international agreements. The relationship continues under the charitable trust structure.
• New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration on trade implementation. NZTE helps New Zealand businesses grow internationally by supporting exports, attracting investment, and promoting New Zealand's trade interests overseas. Te Taumata works with NZTE to connect Māori exporters with export opportunities.
• Asia New Zealand FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to support Māori exporters to thrive in Asia. Foundation research demonstrates Māori have the edge when it comes to engagement with Asia. Collaboration includes ASEAN roundtable discussions and bilateral engagement.
• Federation of Māori Authorities (FOMA)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerFOMA supports Māori businesses and landowners to participate in trade, grow their export capability, and advocate for primary sector Māori interests in trade policy and international markets.
• Ngā Toki WhakarururangasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormed as a by-Māori-for-Māori collective under a Mediation Agreement from the Waitangi Tribunal's inquiry into Māori claims about the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (WAI2522). Te Taumata and Ngā Toki Whakaruruanga may provide advice on trade negotiations from implementation and WAI2522 perspectives respectively.
• Māori Women's Development Incorporated (MWDI)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerMWDI helps Māori women and their families start and grow businesses, including supporting them to access export markets and international trade opportunities. Te Taumata interacts with MWDI on matters such as trade implementation.
• Te AratinisupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerTe Aratini is a global platform connecting Indigenous peoples to share knowledge and create opportunities for cultural exchange and trade partnerships. Te Taumata and Te Aratini have touch points in indigenous-to-indigenous trade and may collaborate on indigenous trade missions.
• World Economic Forum (WEF)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerWEF brings together leaders from government, business, academia, and civil society to address global challenges. Te Taumata works with WEF to promote Māori and indigenous approaches to trade.
• Te HurumanusupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership group created to work alongside MFAT's Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team. Advocates for priority needs of iwi and Māori in foreign policy context. Both Te Taumata and Te Hurumanu provide MFAT with advice.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Federation of Māori Authorities (FOMA): FOMA is a Māori business organization that supports Māori businesses and landowners to participate in trade and advocate for primary-sector Māori interests in trade policy and international markets. It is explicitly listed as a partner of Te Taumata and operates in the same advocacy ecosystem for Māori economic interests.
• Ngā Toki Whakarururanga: Ngā Toki Whakarururanga is a by-Māori-for-Māori collective formed under a Mediation Agreement from the Waitangi Tribunal's inquiry into Māori claims about the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (WAI2522). It provides advice on trade negotiations from WAI2522 perspectives, working alongside Te Taumata on overlapping mandate.
• Māori Women's Development Incorporated (MWDI): MWDI helps Māori women and their families start and grow businesses, including supporting them to access export markets and international trade opportunities. It is explicitly listed as a Te Taumata partner and serves overlapping Māori business development and trade market-access objectives.
• Te Aratini: Te Aratini is a global platform connecting Indigenous peoples to share knowledge and create opportunities for cultural exchange and trade partnerships. It is explicitly listed as a Te Taumata partner and operates in the same indigenous-to-indigenous trade space.

Broad incumbents

• Asia New Zealand Foundation: The Asia New Zealand Foundation supports New Zealanders to engage with Asia through research, exchanges, and dialogue. Its partnership with Te Taumata to support Māori exporters in Asia (including ASEAN roundtables) makes it a comparable broad-incumbent peer in NZ-Asia trade and cultural engagement.
• New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE): NZTE is the New Zealand government's national economic development agency helping NZ businesses grow internationally by supporting exports, attracting investment, and promoting NZ's trade interests overseas. Te Taumata works with NZTE to connect Māori exporters with export opportunities, making NZTE a broader-incumbent peer in the trade promotion space.

Regional players

• National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED): NCAIED is a US-based nonprofit that promotes American Indian/Alaska Native economic development and supports Native-owned businesses in accessing contracts, capital, and markets. It is comparable to Te Taumata as an Indigenous-led economic development organization with advocacy and trade elements, although it primarily serves a US regional market.
• Indigenous Business Australia: Indigenous Business Australia is an Australian government entity that supports Indigenous Australian economic development and business ownership, including through facilitating international trade opportunities. It is comparable to Te Taumata in mission (Indigenous economic development) and advocacy focus but operates primarily in Australia.
• Supply Nation: Supply Nation is an Australian nonprofit that connects Indigenous-owned businesses with procurement opportunities from corporate and government buyers, supporting supplier diversity and Indigenous economic participation. It is comparable to Te Taumata as an Indigenous business ecosystem organization, though it focuses on supplier diversity rather than international trade advocacy.

Emerging players

• Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB): CCIB is a Canadian member-based organization focused on Indigenous business growth, economic reconciliation, and partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous businesses. It is comparable to Te Taumata in serving Indigenous business interests and increasingly Indigenous trade advocacy in international markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/tetaumatanews
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/te-taumata-trade

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Taumata