Southern Māori entrepreneurial excellence will take centre stage in Tāhuna Queenstown this September, with an inaugural regional cultural showcase taking place alongside business awards.

Te Kupeka Umaka Māori ki Āraiteuru (KUMA), the Māori business network for the Otago/Southland region, has opened entries to the biennial KUMA Māori Business Awards. 

Businesses that identify as Māori in Otago, Southland and the Queenstown Lakes District are eligible to enter.

For the first time, the awards will be accompanied by the KUMA Māori Business Showcase, an immersive day event that offers a unique opportunity for the general public to engage with Māori businesses and experience Te Ao Māori first-hand. 

Events range from a market day, workshops and panel discussions to cultural masterclasses and tourism experiences offered by southern Māori businesses.

While the programme is still being finalised, it will be held from September 29 to October 1, and culminate in the eighth biennial KUMA Māori Business Awards on September 30, 2023.

The categories for this year’s event are: Te Tohu Rangatira Whakahaere Leadership Award, Te Tohu Pito Mata Emerging Business Leadership Award, Te Tohu Manaakitanga Customer Excellence Award and Te Tohu Whakawhanaungatanga Collaboration Award.

A brand new category, Te Tohu Tangata Tiriti – Te Tiriti Partnership Award, is open to any organisation that demonstrates a strong commitment to upholding the principles of partnership, co-design, equity, and connectedness with Māori as set out in Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

The supreme winner will be awarded the He Tohu Maumahara ki a Suzanne Spencer Award. 

Suzanne was highly regarded as one of the founding members of KUMA and this award is a celebration of her legacy and an acknowledgement of her significant contribution to Pakihi Māori ki Āraiteuru.

This year’s awards theme centres on mātauranga Māori, which embodies the profound significance of Māori knowledge, wisdom, and cultural practices in the world of business.

“Mātauranga Māori recognises the unique perspectives and approaches that Māori businesses bring to the table, highlighting the integration of ancestral wisdom with contemporary innovation,” KUMA board chair Claire Porima said. 

“Mātauranga Māori underscores the ethical dimensions of Māori businesses, promoting sustainability, community well-being and cultural integrity.

“Our intent for the KUMA Māori Business Showcase and Awards is to celebrate and empower Māori in business, creating opportunities that showcase the exceptional talent and innovation within the Māori business sector and to welcome our community to experience it for themselves.”

An independent judging panel will select finalists, who will be acknowledged on the night alongside the category winners. Judges are yet to be confirmed.

Entries close at 5pm on September 1. Entry forms can be submitted here.

PHOTO: Supplied