Participants

Te Hononga-ā-Kiwa provides opportunities for Māori students and Māori Businesses across Aotearoa from all Iwi, Universities, Polytech and Wānanga. Hear their stories. Learn about why they decided to apply for this opportunity and how it will benefit their development and career pursuits.

Past Students

Denise Doctor

Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Tahu, Ngāti Whaoa, TuwharetoaToi Ohomai Institute of Technology
Bachelor of Applied Management
With a whirlwind of experience in the hospitality and real estate industries, Denise is heading over to Japan to learn their ways and culture in order to “enhance manaakitanga within the tourism industry.”
She is currently studying accounting at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, with the hopes of progressing and supporting tourism in Rotorua.
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Jack Potaka

Ngāti Hauiti, Ngāti Tama ki te Upoko o te IkaUniversity of Auckland
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Law
Jack is enthusiastic about all things Māori. He interned for New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, working with Te Pora Māori which is where he learnt and adopted their mantra to ‘build the Māori economy BIGGER, BETTER, and FASTER for the good of te iwi Māori.”
Jack was a part of Te Hononga-ā-Kiwa for the first time in 2018 which only flamed his desire to learn and be exposed to more international markets. “In an increasingly globalised economy, Māori well-being will be measured by our access to as many international markets as possible”, Jack says.
Connecting with other countries and cultures will be beneficial to him as he pursues a career in diplomacy to represent his hapū and iwi as an ambassador overseas.
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Kahui Tihore

Ngāti Porou, Ngariki Kai PutahiVictoria University of Wellington
Bachelor of Commerce
Kahui is a father and in the final year of his commerce degree. After high school Kahui was in the military (firefighter) for three years before moving into youth work. This collection of experience led him to study commerce as he identified a need to help create pathways for rangatahi.
"There is a real lack amongst young people in terms of business opportunities, particularly Māori in my rohe"
After completing his degree he is looking to move on to a masters degree and ultimately start his own business that will help people who have been through traumatic events. He also wants to complement this with te reo Māori studies.
Kahui applied for the Vietnam trip beacuse he wanted to grow his people skills and learn more about the stories of other people from different parts of the wrold. "Also, I have a love for the countries food, landscape, history, lifestyle and people since I studied it at high school many years ago." He adds.
Kahui is looking forward to connecting with the group and meeting new people. He is going in with the intention to learn as much as he can while on this journey.

Lyric Te Marino-Bird

Ngati Kahungunu, Rongowhakaata, Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki, Te Whānau a KaiOtago University
Masters of Indigenous Studies
Lyric is at The University of Otago studying a Masters of Indigenous Studies. She travelled to Chile in 2018 with the LATAM cape where she was deeply inspired, so much that she developed an interest in start up businesses:
“I am not a business student however I have a great interest in start-ups and I found this programme to be the perfect opportunity for me to learn how to start, manage and operate a business from an indigenous wahine Māori perspective.”
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Areta Charlton

Ngāti Ruapani, Ngāi TūhoeUniversity of Waikato
Bachelor of Arts
Areta is studying a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Psychology and Māori and Indigenous Studies at The University of Waikato.
She applied for Te Hononga-ā-Kiwa to gain insight into how indigenous cultures can create a shift in businesses from being consumer focused to community focused. She also looks forward to building a strong network of rangatahi in Aotearoa and networking in Chile.
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Kahura Moke

Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Hikairo, Ngāti Mahuta, Te RarawaUniversity of Waikato
Bachelor of Business
Kahura is a young, vibrant business student at The University of Waikato. He is an old boy of Hato Paora college and continues to immerse himself in kaupapa Māori when he can, particularly local kura reo and wānanga.
He aspires to become an entrepreneur so that he can help create new economic opportunities for Māori. Te Hononga-ā-Kiwa will help him to realise this aspiration.
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*These profiles were written and true at the time of application.

Past Businesses

Vaka Interativ

Jesse ArmstrongCEO
LATAM 2019
Vaka Interactiv is a New Zealand owned tech company formed in 2016 with a vision to connect people to culture through deep, engaging and magical storytelling.
Learn more

Arataki Systems

Lee TimutimuFounder
LATAM 2019
Founded in 2016, Arataki Systems is a tech company based in Tauranga, New Zealand, wholly owned and run by Māori tech entrepreneurs. Most recently, Arataki Systems has developed NZ’s first proximity activated cultural content delivery platform.
Learn more


Te Hononga-ā-Kiwa alumni

SEA Delegation 2019

STUDENTS

  • Ella Boyd Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Commerce, University of Otago

  • Casey-Anne Jacob Master of Arts, University of Waikato

  • Suzanne Hepi Bachelor of Business, Massey University

  • Johannah Katene-Burge, Bachelor of Management Studies with Honours, University of Waikato

  • Keri O’Connell Masters of Digital Business, University of Waikato

  • Celeste Rakena Bachelor of Management Studies/Bachelor of Laws, University of Waikato

  • Cale Silich Bachelor of Laws, University of Auckland

  • Erana Matene Bachelor of Business, University of Waikato

  • Queenisha Davis Bachelor of Management Studies, University of Waikato

  • Sidney-Rei Stoneham Bachelors of Business Analysis, University of Waikato

  • Lionel Anderson Masters of Business Administration, University of Auckland

  • Kahui Tihore Bachelor of Commerce, Victoria University of Wellington

  • Esther Bacon Bachelor of Business, University of Waikato

  • Lyric Te Marino Bird Masters of Business, University of Otago

BUSINESSES

  • Lee Timutimu, CEO - Arataki Ventures

  • Jesse Armstrong, CEO - Vaka Interactive

  • Jordan Tuhura, Projects Manager - Maui Studios

  • Kawana Wallace, CEO -myReo Studio

NA Delegation 2019

  • Tauawhi Bonilla Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws, University of Auckland

  • Maui Brennan Bachelor of Commerce, University of Canterbury

  • Denise Doctor Bachelor of Applied Management, Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology

  • Estelle Halford Bachelor of Business, Auckland University of Technology

  • Kiriana Hirawani-McTaggart Bachelor of Applied Management, Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology

  • Kelsey Kauri Bachelor of Science - Human Nutrition, Massey University

  • Ana Kirk Bachechor of Arts, Massey University

  • Luke Moss Masters of Māori and Pacific Development, University of Waikato

  • Donnella Ngohe Bachelor Arts and Social Science Double Major in Psych and Screen and Media, University of Waikato

  • Thomas Perfect Bachelor of Applied Management - Accounting, Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology

  • Jack Potaka Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws, University of Auckland

LATAM Delegation 2019

  • Areta Ranginui Charlton, Bachelor of Arts, University of Waikato

  • Aria Renee Sluys, Agricommerce, Maori Agribusiness, Massey University

  • Awatea Rikirangi-Thomas, Business Studies, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa

  • Cassandra Louise Te Rauhina Lewis, Bachelor of Social Sciences, University of Waikato

  • Jorja Heta, Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws, University of Auckland

  • Kahura Paora John Moke, Bachelor of Business, University of Waikato

  • Kaneihana Dewes, Bachelor of Arts, University of Waikato

  • Kerira Tapene, Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Commerce, University of Auckland

  • Kyla Campbell-Kamariera, Bachelor of Arts, University of Waikato

  • Kyle Gage, Bachelor of Management Studies, University of Waikato

  • Levi Chand, Bachelor of Applied Management, Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology

  • Rawiri Kerehoma-Hoerara, Bachelors of Laws/Bachelors of Business Management, University of Waikato

  • Riley Anderson, Bachelor of Business Analysis, University of Waikato

  • Te Paea Ngapo, Bachelor of Business, Massey University

SEA Delegation 2018

  • Ariana Hadfield Massey University (Bachelor of AgriCommerce)

  • Crystal Tawhai University of Waikato (Masters in Management Studies)

  • Ezekiel Raui Massey University (Bachelor of Business)

  • Keenan Kaiwai Massey University (Bachelor of AgriCommerce)

  • Moana Joyce University of Waikato (Bachelor of Laws)

  • Nikki Kennedy University of Waikato (Masters of Computer Graphic Design)

  • Te Ao Mihiata Paenga-Morgan University of Waikato (Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Arts)

  • Tiaana Anaru University of Waikato (Bachelor of Management Studies)

NA Delegation 2018

  • Ariki Thompson University of Auckland (Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Global Studies)

  • Cadence Kaumoana University of Auckland (Education Doctorate)

  • Daniel Bradford University of Waikato (Bachelor of Business Management Hons./Dip Māori & Pacific Development)

  • Michaela Martin Massey University ( Bachelor of Business)

  • Rangitaua Hunia University of Waikato (Strategic Management PhD Thesis)

  • Rawiri Kerehoma-Hoerara University of Waikato (Bachelor of Business Management / Bachelor of Laws)

  • Te Wai Ariki Coulston University of Auckland (Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Commerce)

LATAM Delegation 2018

  • Cale Silich, Bachelor of Laws University of Auckland

  • Jack Potaka, Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws, University of Auckland

  • Lotima Vaioleti, Bachelor of Management Studies, University of Waikato

  • Lyric Bird, Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws, University of Otago

  • Mikayla Apiti, Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws, University of Waikato

  • Mona-Lisa Wareka, Bachelor of Social Sciences, University of Waikato

  • Sophie Smythe, Bachelor of Creative Technologies, Auckland University of Technology

  • Te Ariki Te Puni, Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce, University of Auckland

  • Te Puea Matoe, Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts, Auckland University of Technology

  • Tomairangi McRae, Bachelor of Management Studies, University of Waikato