2021 South East Asia, Malaysia
We were fortunate to have a number of entrepreneurs, academics share their kōrero with us and what inspires them in their business, work and research. The NZ Trade Commissioner joined us from Malaysia capital Kuala Lumpur Catherine Rusby. Catherine explained to our tauira an overview of the Malaysian market and NZ Aotearoa biggest exports such as Dairy 57%, Cereal ingredients 6% and meals 5%. Malaysia provides NZ Aotearoa with 75% of travel, 11% telecommunications and 2% of other categories. She also explained the importance of the silver fern trademark that is unique to NZ businesses that apply and qualify to hold the quality mark of NZ Aotearoa products and services.
Another highlight for our students was speaking with Ben Jimbau, of Bumiputera descent who has been a marketer for over 20 years . Ben runs the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) and showed our students some of the performances and indigenous instruments such as the sape that’s mostly played by the Ola Ulu people who originate from upstream Malaysia. He explains the RWMF as being culturally rich which is the festival's success formula. The Rainforest World Music Festival is an annual three day festival celebrating the diversity of world music. It is held in Kuching, Sarawak with daytime music workshops, cultural displays, craft displays, food stalls and the main stage evening concert.
From Kajang Assoc. Prof. Dr. Doris Padmini Selvaratnam shared with our SEA CAPE roopu that Penan and Orang Asli peoples have entrepreneurial skills and experience and are adapting to modernism so they can successfully run their own businesses online. The remote nature and the landscape terrains of many village locations means there is little or no access to satellite networks. This was a challenge for village economies and it hit the people hard since the global pandemic and not having the capabilities to move into online sales and marketing. This meant village businesses and entrepreneurs would have to travel to town to get coverage to set up websites, Facebook, Instagram and Shopee. Dr Doris has been working closely to bridge these gaps by creating digital programmes at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia to educate & empower indigenous entrepreneurs through e-commerce, regulations and consumer rights.
Academic panel speaking about Indigenous entrepreneurship & community resilience was Dr. Derweanna Binti Bah Simpong, Dr. Tania Maria Tangit, Dr. Trixie Kinajil. They spoke about what indigenous excellence is to them and that it is about intergenerational transmission. The PACOS Trust that is an important part of their mahi is aimed at helping indigenous children and that everything is run completely indigenous. PACOS Trust is a community-based organization dedicated to supporting indigenous communities in Sabah.
Hanim Apeng, traditional weaver and descendant of Jakun Jahut , Orang Asli explained that her designs are based on the earth - nature and its surroundings. Hanim shares that she is conscious about the climate issues and she as well as her people make sure not to deplete their natural resources. However deforestation used in order for development makes it hard to find resources.
2021 South East Asia cohort student’ Jaimie Webb explains “I learned that there are many people advocating and creating opportunities for the entrepreneurs to succeed in business, that there are training and education programmes that can support people gaining the required skills needed. New Zealanders who have created businesses in Malaysia are also providing opportunities for business capability in Malaysia. I learned about how business works in Malaysia and how culture, communication, interaction and relationships are extremely important. I learned a lot about the different Malaysian cultures and about the country and language. I learned about Te Hononga ā Kiwa programme and how amazing it is to have such an opportunity available”.
We are especially thankful to everyone that made our 2021 South East Asia Cape a success!
Tauira Highlights
Jaimie Webb, Ngā Ruahinerangi, Ngā Rauru
"Engaging with the speakers, hearing about their culture and business experience, learning about how opportunities are created for entrepreneurs, meeting people who could assist entrepreneurs, learning Semai language, the THK team and their support, meeting the team I was placed in, presenting at the symposium, the whole programme"
Mihirangi Wickliffe-Gregory, Ngāti Tamaterā
"Winning top prize at Symposium! Connecting with indigenous entrepreneurs and listening to their stories. Some very heartwarming experiences that encouraged me to dream big!"
2021 Tauira Participants
Chalet Bidois
Institute of study: University of Waikato
Qualification/Degree: Bachelor of Arts Majoring in Māori and Indigenous studies with a minor in Te Reo and Pacific studies
Year of study: 4th
Mihirangi Wickliffe-Gregory
Iwi: Ngāti Tamatera
Institute of study: Waikato University
Qualification/Degree: BMS (Hons) Double Major Strategic Management and Human Resources
Year of study: 2nd
About: Growing up in a very sport driven family environment, I have developed a strong passion for sport, particularly netball, like my mum. I continue to exhibit my passion as a player, umpire and coach of Netball. Gaining leadership roles and experiences within these teams has encouraged me to study business, with hopes to continue influencing and supporting others.
Conor Haar
Iwi: Waikato-Tainui
Institute of study: University of Waikato
Qualification/Degree: Bachelor of Business, Major in Accounting
Year of study: 2nd
About: I love the saying “do the mahi, get the treats”. I think it’s a perfect expression as when you do the hard work you will be rewarded for it. I have thought of this saying a lot throughout my time at university since starting last year. Coming to university after a 2 years break from high school had me a bit worried, but I did the hard work and received good grades and job opportunities because of it.
Huki Ana Bishop-Williams
Iwi: Te Ati Haunui-a-Paparangi , Te Wainui-a-Rua
Institute of study: UCOL - Whanganui
Qualification/Degree: Bachelor of Applied Management - Accounting
Year of study: 3rd
About: I am a proud mama of three tamariki who have helped light my pathway in attaining a higher education that I hope in the process - creates more opportunities for our future. Born and raised in Whanganui, I am the youngest in my whanau and the first to be studying towards a bachelor’s degree.
Jaimie Webb
Iwi: Ngā Ruahinerangi, Ngā Rauru
Institute of study: Western Institute of Technology
Qualification/Degree: New Zealand Certificate in Māor Governance Level 4
Year of study: 1st
About: I have had tonnes of life experience and have spent most of my employed life as an Education Support worker for children with impairments. However, for the last 10 years, I have been employed as an Adult Educator, working for a private training establishment here in Taranaki. This year, I chose to embark on some training of my own, in search of a new direction. I recognised that I wanted to learn more about my own culture, and begin my journey into Te Ao Māori, studying Te Reo Māori & Māori Governance. With the goal to play more of an active role within my marae, iwi and hapū.
Rebekah Te Rito
Iwi: Ngāti Kahungungu
Institute of study: University of Waikato
Qualification/Degree: Bachelor of Laws (LLB) (Hons) / Bachelor of Management Studies majoring in Economics (Hons)
Year of study: 5th
About: I am a fifth year student at UOW studying towards a conjoint law & economics degree and I absolutely love it! I am originally from Auckland. I moved down to the Waikato for Uni, a decision I'm glad to have made for myself and my studies. I wanted to attend UOW because of the greater recognition and respect the university gives towards Te Ao Māori. This was particularly important to me as my motivation to become a lawyer is due to the injustices experienced by indigenous people and continued systemic injustices and ignorance towards Māori in particular.
Maringi Kete
Iwi: Waikato-Tainui, Ngāti Maniapoto
Institute of study: University of Waikato
Qualification/Degree: Bachelor of Law, Major in law & strategic management
Year of study: 4th
About: Growing up I was close with my grandparents who are ahikā and the pou for my marae that allowed me to immerse myself in Te Aō Māori. I run an instagram page called Rangatahi Housing and my hopes are to extend this further by creating a social enterprise by either running financial literacy workshops or wānanga for Rangatahi Māori.
Tuākana, RoimataoteAroha Jacob
Iwi: Ngāti Hauā, Ngāti Hikairo
2019 Alumni, SEA CAPE Ki Vietnam
Ntkmade LTD
We were thrilled to have Nicola & Tania involved in our 2021 Programme as our business participants. Our students group project were tasked with researching and presenting how Ntkmade Ltd could work successfully in their cape region.
'A natural creative all her life Nichola Te Kiri, founder of the company, explores narratives drawn from the environment around her as well as her heritage and upbringing. Curiosity and innovation, drives Nichola to go beyond the normal expectation always striving to produce quality products with excellent service '
2022 Te Hononga-ā-Kiwa
Are you ready to embark on a experience like none other? If you answered yes then check out what we have install for our 2022 Programme!