Māori Aspirations
MĀORI ASPIRATIONS
AATEA exists to grow kaupapa Māori influence and contribution to shaping Aotearoa New Zealand’s future. We believe there is no better place for this than working with the community to create positive, self-determined change.
Our team members are active at marae across the country, serving as tangata whenua or waewae tapu at marae, hapū and iwi levels. Our skill sets combine tikanga and technological savviness. We are reo speakers, and paepae keepers, ringawera and cleaner-uppers, trustees and marae chairs – hands-on in most aspects of kaitiakitanga marae.
Many of AATEA team are active practitioners of karanga, whaikōrero, kohi kai, whakarite kai, manaaki manuhiri, tiaki pūtea – Our strength is our ability to move between marae and corporate, grassroots and government spaces with equal comfort.
He Whenua Rongo
Elevating Māori Soil and Kai Resiliency
AATEA partnered with Te Waka Kaiora and Papawhakaritorito Trust to develop the concept of ‘He Whenua Rongo’. Named by Kiwa Hammond and led by Jessica Hutchings and the AATEA team, He Whenua Rongo culminated in a two-day online summit and two reports that provided recommendations for action.
“He Whenua Rongo was envisaged to gather many initiatives that focus on Hine-ahu-one, Tānemahuta, and Rongo-mā-Tāne to listen, consider, and discuss the numerous aspects
of living in a whānau relationship with our environment and to sustain us as people.
Young and old, Māori and government—there are roles for all of us to fill.Therefore, the primary purpose is that bringing together these ideas, cherished taonga and
discussion will bear fruit for the benefit of all.”Read the full report and summary here.
A CASE STUDY IN DIGITAL ENABLEMENT
Korou Digital Trust
- Mission: To support Korou Digital Agency to build capability in our new start-up workforce and bring the latest developments of the world to our rohe.
- Outcome: AATEA has used its networks and expertise to create pathways and projects to support the Korou employment programme.
AATEA is part of the Te Wairoa Digital Collective which established the Korou Digital Trust and Korou Digital Agency. Korou developed a team of over 30 digital apprentices based in Te Wairoa, the juncture between Te Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay. With learnings based on a te ao Māori worldview and in particular the concepts of tuakana and teina, manaakitanga, intergenerational sharing, and amplifying Māori voice by using technology to tell our own stories. The majority (90%) of the staff including apprentices, were Māori. All the Wairoa-based AATEA staff were connected to Korou.