Te Ao Concepts

This lesson will cover a few different Māori concepts used in business (note there are quite a lot more than this!)

• Pūtake

• Tūranga

• Tikanga

• Kaitiakitanga

• Rangatiratanga

Big Question:

You may be wondering—What does our country's history have to do with Māori business? As you listen or read this, you'll see that Māori people have been affected by colonisation and land loss, which have shaped their business practices. Understanding this history helps us recognise that Māori businesses focus not only on profits but also on uplifting communities and preserving culture for future generations.

Early Māori Economy

Māori ancestors landing in Aotearoa were presented many opportunities with the resources available. They had to manage needs and wants, and jobs were assigned based on these.

What sort of careers do you think early Māori developed?

Māori settlers rose to a challenge and take opportunities that came up- this is the definition of someone who is enterprising! They were quick to establish an economy, trading with other iwi and hāpu. In Te Wai Paunamu, paunamu was an item that soon became valued for trading.

By the end of the 19th century, most of the land still owned by Māori was not very productive. The government designated certain areas as "reserved" for Māori, but these lands often came with strict rules that made it very difficult for Māori to use them effectively. Unlike other landowners, Māori could not fully utilise their land or assets, which meant they lost out on many opportunities. Access to clean freshwater and coastal areas for fishing also became restricted, further impacting their way of life.

Recent History

As the 20th century advanced, many Māori moved from rural areas to cities in search of jobs. However, they often found work in unskilled or semi-skilled positions, like agriculture or factories, which were unstable and vulnerable during economic downturns. As a result, Māori faced significant challenges in securing steady employment, making it hard for many families to achieve financial stability.

After claiming back some reparation for the land that was taken unfairly, this money has been invested into Māori businesses. As of 2023, Ngai Tahu whanau own 618 businesses. 

Many of these businesses have a fundamentally unique structure, designed in alignment with Te Ao concepts.