Te Ropu Pakihi (Kapiti and Horowhenua Maori Business Network) is proud to announce 19 finalists for the 2010 Kapiti Horowhenua Maori business awards.
These are the third biennial regional Maori business awards to be organised by Te Ropu Pakihi. The awards celebrate distinctive Maori enterprises through the expression of kaupapa (inherited values) in commercial activities. Five categories are offered with the top (Rangatiratanga) award going to the entrant that weaves kaupapa across all activities. Finalists for the Rangatiratanga award will be announced at a gala awards dinner on Friday May 28 2010 at Tukorehe Marae, Kuku (south of Levin).
Maori businesses from the rohe (Paekakariki to Shannon) are eligible to enter the awards and entrants range from iwi-owned service providers to wh?nau operated private businesses, and sole traders.
They include: several tourism businesses, a film company, a high profile bakery and a business that manufactures designer headstones. All the finalists demonstrate contributions to both the well being of their communities; and the national economy.
There are over 538 Maori businesses in the rohe with M?ori business making up 10 per cent of all business in Kapiti and Horowhenua districts.
Te Ropu Pakihi Awards Convenor Daphne Luke says while many awards programmes are focused on activities that strive to maximise shareholder wealth, Te Ropu Pakihi aims to reward expressions of kaupapa – subject to financial limitations.
Chief Judge Professor Whatarangi Winiata says the challenge of the judges to include the positive contributions of Maori enterprise to the genuine progress of the community is, a real point of difference.
For the first time ever, this years judging panel visited all entrants in order to find out more about the Maori businesses in the rohe. Bernie Savage, who has judged the two previous awards, says this made the judging tougher, especially when all the entrants demonstrated such a high level of business skill.
The winner of the Rangatiratanga award in 2008 was Te Kokiri Development Consultancy, and in 2006 it was Kapiti Island Alive. Daphne Luke says both businesses have national leadership roles in their respective industries and are role models for emerging and new businesses.
She says while this year’s list of entrants included a number of businesses that had entered before; there were also a number entering for the first time, which was positive.
Te Ropu Pakihi Chairperson, Christine Warren says she is thrilled that new entrants have entered in this years awards and some are included in the finalist list. The committee is looking forward to meeting new entrants and offering support and networking opportunities, she says.
And the finalists are…
| Finalist & Category | Contact Person | |
| Category: Manaakitanga
Kapiti Island Alive Te Aratiatia Learning & Development Ltd Kiss & Bake Up Designer Headstones Reo FM |
John Barrett
Denis Grennell James Cootes Richard Cornell Pakira Heke |
|
| Category: ?kaip?tanga
Te Aratiatia Learning & Development Ltd Te Ao Tika/Ecopoint Kanikani Kids KED Security TZine |
Paora Te Huki
Leigh Rau Epi Kerr Te Tahi Takao |
|
| Category: Kotahitanga
Kiss & Bake Up Bluebach Paekakariki Holiday Park Chairs Hair Design Iwi Social Services |
Libby Hakaraia
Marilyn Hazelwood Mel Woodmass Georgina Halbert |
|
| Category: Wh?naungatanga
Kanikani Kids Kapiti Island Alive KED Security Tukapua Tours Otarere Crafts |
George Tukapua
Henry Perenara |
|
| Category: Kaitiakitanga
Te Aratiatia Learning & Development Te Taiao Raukawa Matenga Auto Kapakapanui House Taiwhenua Iwi Workforce |
Te Hope Hakaraia
Brenda Tuuta Sandra Edwards Leslie Mullen |
|
| Category: Rangatiratanga
Te Aratiatia Learning & Development Kapiti Island Alive Kiss & Bake Up Kanikani Kids Te Ao Tika/Ecopoint |
Tickets for the Awards Gala Dinner are now on sale and can be purchased from Kara at Te Arahanga o Nga Iwi in Otaki. Telephone 06 364 8598 or email kara@taoni.maori.nz.
For more information contact:
- Daphne Luke, Awards Convenor
- 027 457 8713
- Christine Warren, Te R?p? Pakihi Chair and Awards Judge
- 06 368 1638
