Stars of Maori business
The Matariki constellation inspires a celebration of Maori enterprise, writes Jayne Atherton.
Three successful Maori owned companies will be honoured tonight at the first ever Matariki Awards in Auckland.
In homage to the seven stars of the Maori new year celebration – Matariki – Maori TV and government department Te Puni Kokiri will honour high achievers in seven categories from arts, entertainment and health to sport, business and innovation in a televised ceremony.
Milk processor Miraka, Ngai Tahu Tourism and Tainui Group Holdings are the finalists in the business and innovation category.
The convenor of judges, Paora Maxwell, said: ‘‘It’s a great honour to recognise the remarkable talent across so many industries and sectors. We look forward to gathering during Matariki to celebrate the new year and the great achievements of our finalists.’’
Taking on the might of Kiwi dairy giant Fonterra takes conviction. But Maori-owned Miraka has done just that, and believes it sets itself apart from its rivals using the strong values founded on the cultural beliefs of its owners.
The firm uses geothermal energy, hi-tech manufacturing processes and can process 250 million litres of milk a year into powders and UHT.
Chairman Kingi Smiler said: ‘‘Our success has been built on high quality, safe and reliable milk products. The values of our company are rooted in Maori culture. We look after the animals and the land and we incentivise high standards. We have 100 local suppliers and believe our business is supporting future generations and not just the present.’’
Quinton Hall, chief executive of Ngai Tahu Tourism, said manaakitanga – or looking after people – was one of the core values which drove the company and its way of doing business.
The company operates tourism experiences and is the parent company for the a range of ecotourism and adventure experiences including Hukafalls Jet in Taupo and Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife park.
‘‘Our firm is about making connections and delivering memorable experiences. As hosts, we care for our own whanau – or wider family. We want them to share with us and take something of us away with them.
‘‘We have a deep connection with the land and our waters and our role is to connect our customers with this taonga.’’
But Hall said that given the rapid growth in the tourism sector over the past decade and rising numbers of Asian visitors, the firm needed to keep adapting and delivering a high-quality experience. He added that Maori traditions were a point of difference which helped the company compete. ‘‘They enhance the relationships we have with our customers and with our team. We know that our visitors from Asia, Europe and Australia in particular want to experience the Maori culture while enjoying their experiences.’’ Chris Joblin, the chief executive of property investment and development company Tainui Group Holdings, said the dividends from the company were used for charitable purposes. They were invested into education, welfare, health, social and cultural facilities and activities for the benefit of parent company, Waikato-Tainui members.
Over the past decade the group’s assets have grown by more than $500m to over $840m. Its big projects have included the development of New Zealand’s largest shopping centre, The Base outside Hamilton, and the awardwinning Novotel Auckland Airport hotel.
Joblin said: ‘‘The fundamentals of our culture are about how we interact with people and our sustainability’’.
‘‘When we think about investing, we think long-term and high quality.’’