With the programme entering its fourth iteration in 2021, Te Hononga-ā-Kiwa (THK) continues to grow and strengthen our relationships across the Asia-Pacific region. Additionally, the network of alumni for Ngā Hononga-ā-Kiwa (NHK) aims to surpass 100 Māori students and businesses having been through the programme.

This year with closed borders still restricting our travel, THK has been redesigned to allow participants to come together and still connect both nationally and internationally. We are excited to announce the 3 amazing countries that we will be connecting with: Taiwan for North Asia, Malaysia for South East Asia and Brazil for Latin America! Each country offers a unique opportunity to create a rich learning experience as we connect with Indigenous communities and businesses in the region.

One vital component to aid in the success of the programme is to invite past participants back as a Tuakana to mentor each new cohort throughout the year. With this year being no exception, we have 3 new Tuakana for each CAPE region, each ready to help manaaki the next intake:

For Southeast Asia, Nadia Smith (Ngai Tahu) was a part of the 2020 cohort that connected with Vietnam and has recently graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Management from Otago Polytechnic.

“I found the THK programme really valuable for forming connections within SEA CAPE and Māori business communities. I felt that applying business frameworks in a real-world situation through the group project, validated my skills in Māori and Indigenous business. As tuakana this year, I am really excited for the opportunity to mentor participants through this year’s programme, and also to reconnect with SEA CAPE!”

For North Asia, Cherish McMillan-Knapp (Ngāti Maniapoto) was also a part of the 2020 cohort that connected with Japan. Cherish has also recently graduated from Wintec with a Bachelor of Applied Management.

“My Time being a part of the programme was so eye opening! To learn about North Asia and all it has to offer was so interesting. Even though it was over zoom, it was still such an amazing experience and was so cool to be present for. I’m looking forward to being a part of the programme again and having the same, if not an even better experience than last time.”

For Latin America, Kyla Campbell-Kamariera (Te Aupouri, Te Rarawa, Taranaki Tūturu) was part of the delegation that visited Chile in 2019. Kyla is currently working towards her Master’s Degree at the University of Waikato

“The THK LatAm CAPE 2019 was the last crew to travel overseas. With the benefit of hindsight in relation to COVID-19, my time with THK was a real privilege. A lot has changed since then and I’m really looking forward to executing a programme that is up with the times and even more visionary.”

The team behind Te Hononga-ā-Kiwa look forward to connecting and engaging with new faces and new participants, while being able to foster Indigenous ingenuity, together.

Applications for Te Hononga-ā-Kiwa 2021 will be opening soon.

Like many, Te Hononga-ā-Kiwa (THK) was not exempt to the challenges and changes that 2020 had to offer. With COVID-19 becoming an increasingly bigger issue at the beginning of the year, the team behind THK had to act fast in rethinking how this travel-based programme could adapt to the global situation,

The heart of the programme lies within the importance of Indigenous to Indigenous connection to build Māori Business capability across all three CAPE regions. Participants of THK are able to build more awareness of a new whenua (land), engage with communities and share knowledge that allows for Indigenous communities to empower their own people.

As a Māori-based programme, the best way to engage is always believed to be kanohi ki te kanohi, therefore the initial aim for THK was to visit three countries pertinent to each of the CAPEs: Vietnam, Japan and Brazil. As this was no longer possible, the main concern became looking at how the programme could still create a way for Māori tertiary students throughout Aotearoa to have meaningful engagement with Indigenous communities and businesses in each region.

It was evident that without the promise of being able to physically visit each country, recruitment to an online-based programme would prove to be difficult. However, success was found when THK identified that in addition to an open call-out for Māori Business students, there was a need for more collaboration with various leaders in tertiary providers throughout Aotearoa. Thus, the THK 2020 cohorts featured applicants from the most diverse range of tertiary providers and locations that the programme has seen since its commencement in 2018.

The 5- week programme was made up of 6 participants per CAPE, each with a background in business studies and tourism. Although the programme was moving to the online space, the aspiration was to still maintain a level of whakawhanaungatanga--a core value in te ao Māori. This was achieved through an in-person Orientation, Symposium and utilising the skill set of our Tuākana to foster a safe space online for interaction throughout the programme.

With a total of 42 set Zoom sessions and over 50 hours spent online, this year’s cohorts connected with a number of New Zealand professionals working both locally and off-shore. As well as then connecting with a number of overseas Inidigenous businesses and students, tribal leaders, local politicians and language experts. The advantage of running a virtual programme highlighted more opportunities that may have not been logistically achievable in-country: the ability to connect more quickly with more speakers and include engagements with Taiwan as part of the North Asia programme.

A staple of the programme has always been a business project that allows for participants to use the knowledge they have learnt to explore business opportunities in their chosen region. This year was no different with each cohort being able to work with Little Mouse Co., founder of Lingogo which allows for Indigenous peoples to share their own stories. Co-founder, Lizzie Dunn, originally part of the NA cohort, was also able to work alongside SEA and LatAm CAPEs to scope opportunities for her business to expand into the different regions:

“To connect with these peoples and see they're facing the same challenges we are and that our solution could potentially benefit them. I learned more about [other cultures’] tikanga. I got a much better sense of where Māori sit in contrast to other indigenous peoples which boosted my sense of responsibility to create opportunities for others.”

Although globally, many are still feeling the impacts of the past year, THK is returning in 2021 with a new programme. The team is excited to be able to meet a new intake of tauira (students) throughout Aotearoa and be able to re-connect with Indigenous whānau overseas.