With support from the Booster Foundation, we’re excited to open applications for the next intake of Te Aka Matua — our kaupapa Māori business programme designed to support pakihi Māori and aspiring entrepreneurs in Rotorua.
As Māori, entrepreneurship is in our DNA. In a time where many of our whānau are looking for ways to create sustainable, intergenerational wealth, Te Aka Matua offers a space for Māori entrepreneurs to build confidence, gain practical tools, and connect with others on a similar journey – whether you’re just starting out or ready to grow, Te Aka Matua is here to support that haerenga.
Delivered through in-person wānanga and one-on-one coaching sessions, Te Aka Matua helps unlock your business potential. You’ll receive:
🌱 One-on-one coaching with experienced mentors
🌱 Support to build a business plan aligned with your whānau goals and aspirations
🌱 Guidance to understand your financials and make confident decisions
🌱 A space to practise and refine your business pitch
🌱 Whanaungatanga with other Māori entrepreneurs in your rohe
In 2024, our first Te Aka Matua rōpū brought together 16 Māori entrepreneurs from across Te Arawa— from dive instructors and beauty therapists to compliance specialists, kai innovators, and fashion designers.
Each pakihi brought its own aspirations, dreams, and challenges — but all were united by a shared vision to grow and realise their potential. You can read more on last year’s cohort here: indigishare.co.nz/meet-our-inaugural-cohort.
With just 15 placements available, this is your chance to take your pakihi to the next level in a kaupapa Māori environment where being Māori is your superpower.
Te Aka Matua is more than just a business programme — it’s a collective space to dream, grow, and thrive. Together, we’re building sustainable futures for our whānau and ngā mokopuna ō apōpō.
📅 Applications close 15 May 2025
