Ngā Taura Umanga in Action

Tayshon Yates (she/her) - Ngā iwi ō Muriwhenua, Ngāpuhi 

With our kāhui of nine Ngā Taura Umanga tauira, we hitched our waka and made our way to Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato ki Tauranga Moana to attend Hui-ā-Tau—Mana Motuhaketia Te Ao Māori, hosted by Te Puna Tahua Toa. The kaupapa was centred around celebrating rangatira who bring a Te Ao Māori worldview into the modern worlds of business and finance.

For us as tauira, this was more than simply attending a hui. It was an opportunity to step into a space where our tuakiritanga, whakapapa, mātauranga, and wawata for the future of the Māori economy were not only welcomed but valued. We heard from kaikōrero across pakihi (business), tōrangapū (politics), ahumoni (finance), arapāho (media), and iwi trusts/representatives, each bringing their own experiences, whakaaro, and lessons for what the future can look like.

The hui created a wāhi for us to whakawhanaunga with like-minded tauira, while also connecting kanohi ki te kanohi with rangatira who share that same passion for Māori development and economic growth. These connections opened new kuaha for our tauira, creating ara hou ki te mahi ngātahi, ako, and imagine what is possible when we carry a Te Ao Māori worldview into wāhi that have traditionally been shaped by different perspectives.

We witnessed first-hand the dedication, success, and mana of professionals and representatives of iwi from across the motu. Their pūrākau became a reminder that our past does not hold us back; it provides tūāpapa from which we can move forward.

One of our tauira stated that “it felt like an open wānanga, where different perspectives on the future of Māori business, finance and development could be shared and challenged.” That whakaaro alone speaks to the reality and genuine aroha that was present throughout the hui.

Just as night gives way to dawn, our akoranga, experiences, and hononga give us the mana to move forward with greater clarity and purpose. E ai ki te whakataukī, “ka mua, ka muri.” “Walking backwards into the future.” We are not leaving behind what came before us; we are gathering our kete of mātauranga, those kōrero hōhonu and akoranga of those who have paved the way, carrying the strength of our past into the strength of our future.

For our kāhui, this hui was a step into that light. It reminded us of who we are, where we come from and, most importantly, what we are capable of creating for the future. The potential of our Māori economy is immense, and as tauira, we have a role in carrying our tikanga forward—into new spaces, new conversations, and new beginnings.