Ngā mihi nui, thank you to our Awards’ sponsors.

Kia tipua tahi ai
Let us grow stronger together.

KUMA would like to extend a huge mihi to all our valued sponsors of the 2023 KUMA Southern Māori Business Awards and Business Showcase. Your tautoko meant businesses could be celebrated, and the Māori regional business ecosystem recognised – thank you.

Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu

Sponsor of He Tohu Whakawhanaungatanga Collaboration Award (Presented to Skillsec, Ōtepoti).

Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu is the Whānau Ora commissioning agency for the South Island, working on behalf of eight Te Waipounamu iwi to determine the best ways to support whānau development and self-determination.

“The celebration of Māori business success is important for ensuring whānau and whānau Māori in the southern region and across Aotearoa are creating sustainable pathways towards wealth creation, and are inspiring and supporting others in the region to take their own first steps towards business ownership or expansion. The KUMA Māori Business Awards create this important opportunity for connection, inspiration, and the continuation of pakihi Māori excellence.”

Queenstown Lakes District Council Mayoral Discretionary Fund

Sponsor of He Tohu Rangatira Whakahaere Leadership Award (Presented to Kana Queenstown, Tāhuna)

The Mayoral Discretionary Fund is a fund that Mayor Glyn Lewers is allowed to allocate at his discretion on initiatives that he sees value in for the Queenstown Lakes District – which may be at an individual, group, business or whole of community level. Other things the Mayor has supported through this fund are the Tuia programme, Pasta Café, Community Patrol and the ASB Great Debate. This fund is finite and so careful consideration is given to initiatives or organisations ensuring they align with QLDC values as set out in Vision Beyond 2050 before offering a contribution.

“Mayor Lewers, in partnership with the QLDC Economic Development team, saw this as an opportunity to connect and understand more about Māori business in our district and what we might be able to do to support it.

Vision statement 2 of the community’s Vision Beyond 2050 is: Embracing the Māori world | Whakatinana i te ao Māori: Ours is a district that honours Te Tiriti o Waitangi and champions equality for all our people. - This statement captures the significance and importance of Māori to us in the Queenstown Lakes District and reflects the historic importance of this special place to tangata whenua. We value and celebrate diversity and inclusion within our district and therefore it is important for us to celebrate Māori business success. The draft economic diversification plan also recognises the importance of Māori business and proposes working alongside KUMA to help foster their success within the district.”

Poutama Trust

Sponsor of He Tohu Pito Mata Emerging Business Leadership Award (Presented to Whānau Consultancy Services, Murihiku).

Poutama is an independent charitable trust established in 1988 to provide business development services to Māori and currently supports more than 3000 Māori businesses across Aotearoa with their economic growth.

“We’re committed to supporting the next generation of emerging business leaders. They’ve made a significant contribution to growing the economy and showing other aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders what is doable (success for their pakihi, whānau and hapori).

“The KUMA Awards serve as a platform to acknowledge and recognise the achievements of those businesses that have made significant contributions to the Māori economy within Te Waipounamu across various industries. These contributions extend beyond just economic gains and encompass their impact on communities, hapori, and whānau.”

Leadership Lab

Sponsor of He Tohu Tangata Tiriti – Te Tiriti Partnership Award (Kauati, Tāhuna, received He Tohu Taonga Tuku Iho; and Workforce Central Dunedin, Ōtepoti received He Tohu Tangata Tiriti).

Leadership Lab is a collective of passionate and diverse consultants all focused on growing equitable and thriving communities and organisations in Aotearoa. As an Aotearoa New Zealand-based organisation, Leadership Lab is committed to giving effect to the articles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi as the foundational document of this country.

In addition, Leadership Lab’s Dr Chris Jansen and Te Ao Marama Apiata, along with local kaumatua Darren Rewi from Tāke Tuia, facilitated an amazing workshop on “Living the Promise of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in Life and Work” during the KUMA Business Showcase. Locals and business leaders explored the historical significance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and how it can be effectively integrated in business practice and community life in 2023, with the expert guidance of Leadership Lab.

Te Rūnanga O Ngāi Tahu

Sponsor of Te Rūnanga O Ngāi Tahu Puna Pakihi Recognition of Achievement Award (Presented to Kewe Consultants)

“This is an opportunity to advocate, promote and recognise the accomplishments of our Māori Businesses, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu is committed to supporting Southern Māori in business and proud to support KUMA in delivering an event that honours those achieving and thriving through their mahi.

It’s important to promote and celebrate the success and achievements of each other, to uplift and enhance one another’s mana where possible. Showcasing our Māori Businesses is an opportunity to connect, promote and share those experiences as a roopu.”

Davies Studio

Sponsor of He Tohu Kōwhiri o te Whānui (Presented to Hapori Akoranga)

Davies Studio founder Britt Davies says: “Since becoming a part of the KUMA community I really felt a true sense of belonging, not only in business but as an individual as well. It was the kōrero with others over kai, the new connections that I would see at the next hui, as well as the ongoing support and friendships. Sponsoring this award is, in a sense, an attempt to reciprocate what I have received and what I have felt.

“The past few years have been tough on business and on whānau—and I am in awe of the strength, perseverance and mana I see in our communities all across the motu. Struggle and hardship, though uncomfortable, can reveal inner strength and resilience you never knew you had. Not only is this a celebration of this resilience, it’s a celebration of connection, and of community. It’s a chance to uplift and tautoko, it’s a chance to demonstrate that we are all in this together.”

Destination Queenstown

Destination Queenstown, sponsor of He Tohu Manaakitanga Customer Excellence Award, (presented to Encore Events, Ōtepoti).

"DQ was delighted to sponsor the KUMA Māori Business Awards’ He Tohu Manaakitanga Customer Excellence category because the award acknowledges all the outstanding work in our wider region extending Manaakitanga to our visitors and locals, showing care for people and place and supporting the aspiration of a regenerative approach to our economy and communities.

It is hugely important as a region and a country that we collectively celebrate Māori business success and showcase the inspiring people doing outstanding work in their fields.”