Supported by our team of partners, TU Matahiko aspires to be the national leader in building digital inclusion for Māori businesses. TU Matahiko brings together local and international leaders in digital technology and Māori business advisors to enable the ‘digital transformation’ of Māori SMEs.
Through TU Matahiko, digital transformation is achieved by digital technologies creating new or modifying existing business processes, practices, models, culture, and customer experiences to meet changing business and market expectations. Māori SMEs will be supported to reap the benefits of adopting digital technology to transition their existing pen and paper/bricks and mortar business operations into leveraging the efficiencies of digital marketing, cyber-security, digital transactions, accounting software, e-commerce websites, HRM and CRM systems.
Through our extensive network of iwi, hapū and Māori business networks, TU Matahiko will provide an opportunity for Māori SMEs to register their requirement for support. Following registration, one of our regional Pou Matahiko (Māori business advisors) will undertake a digital needs assessment with the SME, determining their digital needs, aspirations and opportunities. After the digital needs’ assessment, our Pou Matahiko will develop a tailored Te Mahere Matahiko ‘Your Digital Map’ that is unique to the needs of each SME. Utilising our network of local and international leaders in digital technology our Kaitiaki (mentors) will facilitate access to incentives, services, support and training to bring life to Te Mahere Matahiko for each SME.
Overall, TU Matahiko will provide will create tangible benefits and outcomes for Māori businesses, their whānau and wider communities
TU Matahiko is modelled on three simple approaches.
Maori provision is provided at all levels unless specialist provision is unavailable. Provision is delivered through a cultural and holistic lens.
Local service providers (including products) will be procured first and foremost to ensure investment stays within the local community and the local SMEs economy.
Our intent throughout the model is to ensure that digital capability is built at all levels of the ecosystem, from service provision (using the Ako method of learning by teaching, and teaching by learning) to the local communities.
HTK Group has determined the community needs and aspirations for Māori located within our proposed delivery regions for TU Matahiko.
Business continuity support for whānau enterprises.
Increased online retail options for geographically isolated communities.
As a result of the COVID-19 lockdown whānau wanted access to reliable information through online mediums concerning marae and local affairs.
Support the development of digital enterprises to enable whānau mobility.
Support whanau to develop and wealth creation opportunities for whānau.
Business continuity support to protect whānau jobs and income
Job creation opportunities for whānau
Increase domestic tourism
Future proofing whānau businesses
Increase the number of whānau enterprises
Business continuity support for whānau enterprises to protect whānau employment and income (40-50,000 job losses are predicted)
Re-deploy whānau who have lost their jobs into new employment.
Increase domestic tourism activity.
Identify opportunities, develop solutions and convert into thriving enterprises
Increase the number of Māori entrepreneurs
Support the local economy through sourcing products domestically
Reduce economic inequalities for whānau.
Ensuring whānau have a source of income.
Supporting business continuity for SMEs to protect whānau jobs and income.
Job creation opportunities for whānau.
Diversifying whānau businesses
Increase the comfort of Māori businesses in utilising e-commerce platforms to service local, national and international markets.
Support for Māori businesses to survive the current economic downturn.
Support and position Māori businesses to thrive in a post COVID-19 environment.
Protect employment for whānau.
Job and wealth creation for whānau
Grow the number of local SMEs
Expand the number of businesses registered with Hokohoko
Business support for whānau enterprises.
Support local business development to grow more whānau enterprises.
Create a job-rich community.
Patariki (57) and Aroha (62) Rihari own a small coffee cart business based in Moeraki, Otago. Patariki operates the cart while he undertakes restoration work at Katigi Point, a popular tourist destination remotely located on the Moeraki peninsula. The cart is cash only as there is unreliable mobile reception and no accessible internet, making a mobile EFT-POS system challenging. Aroha also makes stencil cut outs that she sells through the cart. She has considered selling them online but is hesitant as she does not feel comfortable working with technology, a trait shared by Patariki. Aroha was previously the victim of an online scam where she lost over $700, hence her reluctance to use a digital platform. Aroha was recently informed that her job will be made redundant as a result of COVID-19, meaning they will be relying on income from the cart to sustain their livelihood. They currently have a mortgage and are concerned how they will continue to make payments when Aroha is made redundant.
We support iwi, hapū and Māori businesses to realise their goals and aspirations using a “kanohi ki te kanohi, pakihiwi ki te pakihiwi/face to face, shoulder to shoulder” approach.
