One highlight of Kārena’s Scholarship experience was attending Te Puna Tahua Toa (formerly Ngā Kaitatau Māori) hui in Auckland late last year. The conference brought together Māori leaders, practitioners and thinkers to explore how Māori economies can continue to strengthen and evolve.
As part of her scholarship experience, we invited Kārena to share her personal reflections and learnings from attending the hui.
“From the moment the hui opened, it was clear this was more than a professional gathering — it was a convergence of Māori minds who are actively reshaping the landscape our future communities will inherit. Every speaker, whether they came from governance, banking, digital innovation, or kai systems, carried a common theme: Māori are increasingly focused on shaping their own future, with momentum building toward long‑term, sustainable impact.
Early kōrero and insights shared from Nanaia Mahuta and Charlie Tawhiao helped set the tone for the day: innovation and adaptation aren’t luxuries for Māori entities — they’re obligations. Speakers highlighted the strong connection between economic activity and the environment, the importance of intentional investment, and the role governance can play in supporting long‑term outcomes for Māori communities.
Hine-rangi Raumati-Tu‘ua continued that kaupapa with a governance lens grounded in whakapapa. She reflected on the importance of post-settlement structures remaining aligned with iwi strategy, taiao, and collective aspirations. Evidence-based reporting, integrated thinking, and long-term outcomes aren’t add-ons — they’re important foundations for Māori governance that remain aligned with iwi aspirations, cultural values, and long‑term purpose.
The kōrero on kai sovereignty and natural resources brought the wairua back to whenua — reminding us that profit and protection walk together. The XRB session highlighted a tikanga-aligned reporting framework that broadens the definition of organisational performance. By recognising cultural, social, environmental and community outcomes alongside financial results, the framework reflects the reality that Māori organisations contribute across multiple dimensions — to people, whenua and whakapapa.
Across every session, one theme remained constant: collective mindset is our superpower.
When we converge around shared purpose and when our roles are fluid enough to adapt but grounded enough to give clarity - anxiety drops, and possibility opens. Where systems are ambiguous, our tikanga becomes the stabiliser. Where technology is disruptive, Māori innovation becomes the navigator.
If I had to summarise the entire day in one sentence:
Māori are designing the future with intention, integrity, and a collective vision bigger than any single mindset. And the real question we each left with was simple:
What is my role in contributing to this system, not just working within it - and how can we continue to strengthen the Māori economy for future generations?”
Ngā mihi nui Kārena, noho ora mai.
About the BDO Sir Henare Ngata Scholarship
The BDO Sir Henare Ngata Scholarship aims to help address the underrepresentation of Māori within the accounting profession. It offers financial assistance, an internship or graduate opportunity with a BDO firm, registration to the Te Puna Tahua Toa hui, and mentorship with BDO.Applications for the 2026 Māori Scholarship are closing soon. To find out more, click here.