HE AWA ARA RAU

A Discussion Guide for Companies, Industry and

Organisations

He Awa Ara Rau

Aotearoa NZ has a great opportunity. We have a young, growing Māori

population that has the potential to provide a rich pool of talent and to be the backbone of our nation’s future.

However, as this publication shows, at each stage of the awa we are currently placing barriers to Māori potential, and

this impacts everyone.

It is time for each of us to first examine our own place in the awa but to then

shift our thinking to how we as a collective can inspire, equip and connect

our rangatahi to future opportunities.

This discussion guide is intended to deepen your understandings of the

issues and how you might take action to change its course. The questions

are only suggestions. You may decide to ignore some or add others more

relevant to your situation.

Karawhuia!

TITIRO WHAKAMURILooking to the Past to Understand the Present

• What is the history of your industry, company or organisation in relation to Māori?

• How has colonization impacted you and what vestiges might remain?

• How have Māori historically participated in your industry, company or organisation?

• What role models have there been as beacons of Māori success?

• What historical barriers and enablers have been present and why?

TITIRO WHAKAROTOLooking to the present to chart the course to the future

• What is your current company, industry or organisation data showing regarding Māori participation?

• What is the voice of Māori in your company, industry or organisation telling you?

• How well is your organisation known and connected to the Māori community?

• In your company, industry or organisation, do Māori employees and clients feel valued and is the cultural capital they bring recognized?

• Is your company, industry or organisation ready to welcome a much larger Māori workforce?

• How is the Treaty of Waitangi relevant to your work?

TITIRO WHAKAMUAPlotting the course to the future

• How might you contribute to developing the Māori talent pipeline?

• Who might be available to support your journey?

• How can the cultural capital that Māori bring, be utilized by your company, industry or organisation?

• What strategies, policies and practices might need changing eg recruitment?

• What will success look like?

• How might you connect with others to scale up for impact?