Three Māori consulting practices have joined forces to launch Kawau Partners, a new advisory business designed to strengthen capability and keep economic value within the Māori economy.
The new entity brings together the expertise of RŌA Consulting, TPM Consulting, and Kawea Consulting, combining specialist knowledge across commercial strategy, finance, governance, public policy, and iwi development.
Founder Te Ahooterangi Pihama says the unification reflects a shared drive to harness both corporate expertise and mātauranga Māori for the benefit of the iwi.
“He whakakotahitanga a Kawau Partners i ngā kaha o ngā kamupene, ngā pakihi e toru,” e kī ana a Pihama.
“Ko te kaha o te ōhanga Māori, ko te kaha o te mahitahi kia whakaraupo tātou i a tātou anō. Nā reira, mā ngā pūkenga a tāwāhi, ngā kamupene rahi, anō hoki tō tātou nei ake mātauranga Māori. Kāpuia mai ērā mātauranga ki roto i te kamupene kotahi, kia tipu ake tā tātou āhuatanga ki roto i te ōhanga.”
Fellow co-founder Trina Pohatu emphasizes that unlocking the potential of the Māori economy begins with supporting the direct goals of whānau, hapū, and iwi.
“Ko te mea nui, ki te āta mārama ki ngā wawata o te whānau, whether that’s around their housing aspirations, their business aspirations or creating wealth for the next generation,” e kī ana a Pohatu.
“For me it’s about supporting Māori to lead and enabling them to do so, which means getting the right resources, funding and people around our aspirations. It’s also about understanding what’s holding things up.”
Pohatu points to significant growth avenues, such as securing government contracts and getting Māori initiatives ready for major investment.
“Tautoko ki ngā pakihi Māori to access Government contracts. The Government spends over 50 billion dollars a year on buying goods and services and so there’s a massive opportunity there for pakihi Māori. Tuarua, funding the work required to get our kaupapa investment ready.”
With the upcoming general election, the founders believe the launch of Kawau Partners underscores the growing importance of Māori self-determination and influence within wider economic policymaking.
“Kua whakatupu tō tātou reanga,” e kī ana a Pihama. “E mōhio pūmau ana tātou ki tō tātou reo me ōna tikanga. Anō hoki, kua tipu ake ki roto i te ao o te corporate. Nā reira, kua tū ki ngā tini taumata o te ao pēke, o te ao ture, aha rānei, te ao o te Post Settlement Entities, ngā iwi.”
