NEWSROOM
University of Auckland’s first Māori entrepreneurial leaders tour inspires more to come
Kurutao is the name of our inaugural Māori entrepreneurial leaders expedition delivered in July 2024 by the University of Auckland Business School’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE). This programme has been created to inspire and introduce Ngāi Māori from Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland, to Aotearoa’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. The multi-day Kurutao programme took place in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) and Tairāwhiti (Gisborne) and showcased Māori innovation and entrepreneurship with workshops featuring Māori start-ups, investors, and other ecosystem professionals.
Kurutao aims to motivate tauira Māori (students) through inspiration from Aotearoa New Zealand’s innovation landscape, encompassing both indigenous and non-indigenous elements. By exposing participants to a diverse range of innovators, ventures, and networks, CIE aims to deepen mindsets and foster a new generation of forward-thinking leaders.
The cohort had interest from a diverse range of organisations and innovators that offered presentations and tours such as Microsoft’s Dan Walker, global tech entrepreneurs Aron Ward and Cameron Baker, Tolaga Bay Innovation Hub and Hikurangi Enterprises.
Hiraia Haami-Wells, a University of Auckland student, was inspired to initiate Kurutao after participating in CIE’s Vanguard entrepreneurial leaders expedition to Silicon Valley in 2023. Her experience abroad ignited a vision to bring a transformative experience to Aotearoa that aligns with Māori purpose and values. Her vision was brought to life through CIE, UniServices, the University’s knowledge mobilisation and investment company, and Soul Capital’s Jamie Newth.
The name “Kurutao,” meaning “inverted arrowhead,” was gifted by Whare Tū Tauā expert and Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor Māori, Michael Steedman. It symbolises the group’s dynamic agility and its intention for success.
Reflecting on the origins of Kurutao, Hiraia shares “Kurutao originally stemmed from a conversation I had with my previous manager and Kaiārahi of Auckland UniServices Ltd, the Commercialisation arm of the University, Tui Kaumoana, and others during a gathering at Koroneihana 2023. We identified gaps within the ecosystem and envisioned creating a Māori version of Vanguard together. My time on the Vanguard study tour in San Francisco reinforced the need for a programme that showcases the entrepreneurial ecosystem to Māori and provides a solid foundation for success.”
Tui Kaumoana said “Kurutao is about enabling and empowering our future generations to seek the Maunga teitei (loftiest of all Mountains) in innovation to enhance their academic journey and contributes to unleashing our students full potential.”
Maru Maxwell, Programme Coordinator at CIE, says “Kurutao has the potential to evolve significantly beyond this year. The inaugural cohort gained a deep understanding of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, igniting curiosity among tauira Māori. Kurutao is a crucial stepping stone in bridging societal gaps, with the potential for even greater growth in the future.”
CIE Director Darsel Keane points out “The Māori economy is estimated to be worth $70 billion and is growing faster than the overall economy. The 2023 NZTech Digital Skills Aotearoa Report identified that 4.8% of the tech sector are Māori. Yet they are 17.1% of the population. Programmes like Kurutao can contribute to helping develop talent to make even more of Aotearoa’s potential. Before we can expect our students to opt into pursuing innovation and entrepreneurship, it’s important to showcase what is possible and to showcase innovators and entrepreneurs who look like them.
“Every tauira had a transformational moment during the programme where their vison of what was possible changed. It was an incredibly powerful study tour where participants got to see the Māori innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in action and get to understand what innovation and entrepreneurship looks like in a Māori context in urban and rural communities. I am so proud of our tauira Māori and the kaimahi and wider community who made this programme possible. We would love to build on this mahi for next year and invite people interested in supporting this kaupapa to contact our team. It was an absolute privilege to be involved in this kaupapa and I learnt so much for all of the students and the people we met with.”
Kurutao is open to all current University of Auckland Māori students who have a keen interest in exploring opportunities within the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. A select group of up to 20 tauira Māori will be selected to join this enriching experience. Participants will have the chance to visit and learn directly from individuals actively engaged in Aotearoa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
To be eligible for the programme, applicants must be currently enrolled as a student at the University of Auckland. Applications will open in the first semester of 2025.
Kurutao 2024 itinerary
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Kurutao is the name of our inaugural Māori entrepreneurial leaders expedition delivered in July 2024 by the University of Auckland Business School’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE). This programme has been created to inspire and introduce Ngāi Māori from Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland, to Aotearoa’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. The multi-day Kurutao programme took place in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) and Tairāwhiti (Gisborne) and showcased Māori innovation and entrepreneurship with workshops featuring Māori start-ups, investors, and other ecosystem professionals.
Kurutao aims to motivate tauira Māori (students) through inspiration from Aotearoa New Zealand’s innovation landscape, encompassing both indigenous and non-indigenous elements. By exposing participants to a diverse range of innovators, ventures, and networks, CIE aims to deepen mindsets and foster a new generation of forward-thinking leaders.
The cohort had interest from a diverse range of organisations and innovators that offered presentations and tours such as Microsoft’s Dan Walker, global tech entrepreneurs Aron Ward and Cameron Baker, Tolaga Bay Innovation Hub and Hikurangi Enterprises.
Hiraia Haami-Wells, a University of Auckland student, was inspired to initiate Kurutao after participating in CIE’s Vanguard entrepreneurial leaders expedition to Silicon Valley in 2023. Her experience abroad ignited a vision to bring a transformative experience to Aotearoa that aligns with Māori purpose and values. Her vision was brought to life through CIE, UniServices, the University’s knowledge mobilisation and investment company, and Soul Capital’s Jamie Newth.
The name “Kurutao,” meaning “inverted arrowhead,” was gifted by Whare Tū Tauā expert and Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor Māori, Michael Steedman. It symbolises the group’s dynamic agility and its intention for success.
Reflecting on the origins of Kurutao, Hiraia shares “Kurutao originally stemmed from a conversation I had with my previous manager and Kaiārahi of Auckland UniServices Ltd, the Commercialisation arm of the University, Tui Kaumoana, and others during a gathering at Koroneihana 2023. We identified gaps within the ecosystem and envisioned creating a Māori version of Vanguard together. My time on the Vanguard study tour in San Francisco reinforced the need for a programme that showcases the entrepreneurial ecosystem to Māori and provides a solid foundation for success.”
Tui Kaumoana said “Kurutao is about enabling and empowering our future generations to seek the Maunga teitei (loftiest of all Mountains) in innovation to enhance their academic journey and contributes to unleashing our students full potential.”
Maru Maxwell, Programme Coordinator at CIE, says “Kurutao has the potential to evolve significantly beyond this year. The inaugural cohort gained a deep understanding of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, igniting curiosity among tauira Māori. Kurutao is a crucial stepping stone in bridging societal gaps, with the potential for even greater growth in the future.”
CIE Director Darsel Keane points out “The Māori economy is estimated to be worth $70 billion and is growing faster than the overall economy. The 2023 NZTech Digital Skills Aotearoa Report identified that 4.8% of the tech sector are Māori. Yet they are 17.1% of the population. Programmes like Kurutao can contribute to helping develop talent to make even more of Aotearoa’s potential. Before we can expect our students to opt into pursuing innovation and entrepreneurship, it’s important to showcase what is possible and to showcase innovators and entrepreneurs who look like them.
“Every tauira had a transformational moment during the programme where their vison of what was possible changed. It was an incredibly powerful study tour where participants got to see the Māori innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in action and get to understand what innovation and entrepreneurship looks like in a Māori context in urban and rural communities. I am so proud of our tauira Māori and the kaimahi and wider community who made this programme possible. We would love to build on this mahi for next year and invite people interested in supporting this kaupapa to contact our team. It was an absolute privilege to be involved in this kaupapa and I learnt so much for all of the students and the people we met with.”
Kurutao is open to all current University of Auckland Māori students who have a keen interest in exploring opportunities within the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. A select group of up to 20 tauira Māori will be selected to join this enriching experience. Participants will have the chance to visit and learn directly from individuals actively engaged in Aotearoa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
To be eligible for the programme, applicants must be currently enrolled as a student at the University of Auckland. Applications will open in the first semester of 2025.
EMAIL
CIE@AUCKLAND.AC.NZ
POSTAL ADDRESS
THE UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND BUSINESS SCHOOL
PRIVATE BAG 92019, AUCKLAND
