Matihiko Ora - Ka Eke - Ka Toro Reimagining A Strong Māori Tech Workforce

Matihiko Ora –Ka Eke – Ka Toro

Reimagining a Strong Māori Tech Workforce

Māori are not just participating in the digital future; we are shaping it. Discover the stories, insights, and bold recommendations that centre cultural identity and community in Aotearoa’s evolving tech landscape.

The report follows MEA’s earlier research into the Māori tech sector, continuing a journey that began with mapping and is now focused on reimagining.

Matihiko Ora –Ka Eke – Ka Toro REPORT 2025 Mapping the Māori Tech Sector REPORT 2023

He Mihi – Why This Report Matters

This report begins with a pātai: What does it take for tangata whenua to thrive in tech?
Informed by kōrero with whānau, educators, rangatahi, and iwi across the motu.
It reflects both hardship and hope, amplifying stories of innovation, struggle, and resilience.
Matihiko Ora – Ka Eke – Ka Toro signals the need for transformation rooted in whakapapa, tikanga, and Māori-led vision.

Grounded in Community, Driven by Innovation

This report begins with a pātai: What does it take for tangata whenua to thrive in tech?
Informed by kōrero with whānau, educators, rangatahi, and iwi across the motu.
It reflects both hardship and hope, amplifying stories of innovation, struggle, and resilience.

Key Insights from the Kōrero

What We Heard Across Aotearoa

Holistic Education Models: Treating ākonga as whole people, not just learners.
Micro-Credentials: Flexible, culturally tailored learning linked to real-world outcomes.
Powerful Partnerships: Iwi, government, and tech sector alignment increases impact.
Support Beyond the Classroom: Housing, mentoring, and wellness matter.
Cultural Identity as a Strength: Tech training grounded in mātauranga Māori.
Barriers to Scale: Funding limitations, industry misalignment, and infrastructure gaps

He Ara Whakamua – What Needs to Change

Design for Culture and Identity: Embed tikanga Māori and hapū-specific content into all levels of training.

Support the Whole Person: Wraparound services, housing, mentoring, and wellness must be integral.

Make Learning Flexible and Local: Micro-credentials, shorter modules, and iwi-endorsed models work best.

Invest in Regional Capability: Train Māori facilitators and build local tech hubs.

Strengthen Pathways to Employment: Use internships, mentoring, and industry connections to bridge the gap.

Tackle Systemic Barriers: Challenge unconscious bias, rigid funding models, and misaligned industry expectations.

Sustainability First: Explore social enterprise, co-funding, and long-term investment options.

Elevate Rangatahi Voices: Co-design with rangatahi to ensure relevance, engagement and leadership.

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Ko Tēnei Te Wero – Building a Future That Belongs to Us

Cultural identity and digital innovation are not separate — they are interwoven.
The report offers a roadmap for building tech ecosystems where Māori can thrive as leaders, not just participants.
Long-term change requires coordinated action, respectful partnership, and bold investment.

"Let us continue to realise a future in Aotearoa where tangata whenua aren’t just part of the digital world, we are leading it! This requires investment, co-ordination and support from all corners of te ao māori and the Kāwanatanga today.

MEA deeply appreciate the contributors, supporters and team whose hands and experiences have woven together this body of work. Together we are shaping the necessary changes needed, Mō tō tātou mokopuna, mō ngā uri whakaheke - our future generations."

Kaye-Maree Dunn

Director, Making Everything Achievable

He Kōrero: Māori Innovation in Action

Showcasing lived experiences from Digital Natives Academy, 3BagsFull, TRM Training, Dev Academy, PurSuit, Nōna Te Ao, Talent RISE and others. Each story illustrates practical strategies, localised solutions, and the cultural integrity of Māori tech journeys.

Oranga Matihiko

Morehu Ransfield

Executive Director

Te Ātiawa, Taranaki, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga

Oranga Matihiko, founded by Morehu Ransfield, empowers Māori youth through culturally grounded digital learning that centres identity and whakapapa.

Read the case studY CONNECT WITH THE ORGANISATION

Toi Kai Rawa

Jay Tihema

Operations Manager

Ngāti Apa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa

Jay Tihema is driving systems change through culturally grounded STEAM initiatives that empower rangatahi Māori to thrive in future-focused sectors.

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Talent RISE

Taylor-Rose Lealaisalanoa & Jade Kopua

Former Kaitiaki & Youth Programme Coordinator at Talent RISE

Ngāti Porou, Fasito’otai, Vaito’omuli Palauli, and Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Tainui-Waikato

Talent RISE empowered Māori and Pasifika rangatahi through a youth-led, culturally inclusive work readiness programme that built confidence, skills, and career potential.

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Nōna Te Ao

Sammy Hughes

Chief Executive Officer

Te Whakatōhea, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, Leimatua (Vava’u)

Sammy Hughes leads Nōna Te Ao in creating values-driven education and job pathways for rural Māori, empowering rangatahi through support, partnerships, and impact.

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Digital Natives Academy

Nikolasa Biasiny-Tule

Chief Executive Officer

Puerto Rican, Dutch

Digital Natives Academy (DNA), led by Nikolasa Biasiny-Tule, empowers rangatahi Māori through digital skills training grounded in wellness, cultural identity, and tech innovation.

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Rea

Nathan Bryant-Taukiri

Chief Executive / Toihau

Kāi Tahu, Rangitāne o Wairau, Waikato-Tainui

Rea is a kaupapa Māori tech training organisation led by Nathan Bryant-Taukiri, focused on supporting rangatahi to access meaningful tech career pathways while remaining grounded in their cultural identity.

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Dev Academy Aotearoa

Dougal Stott

Former General Manager

Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Tūwharetoa

Dougal Stott helped shape Dev Academy Aotearoa into a culturally responsive tech hub growing Māori leadership in the digital economy.

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Mission Ready HQ

Diana Sharma

Co-founder and Mission Director

Mission Ready HQ, co-founded by Diana Sharma, is a fast-growing tech training provider committed to creating inclusive pathways for Māori, Pasifika, women, and career-changers into the tech industry.

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3 Bags Full

Brittany Teei

Founder and Managing Director

Te Rarawa, Cook Island

Empowering rangatahi Māori and Pasifika through digital skills training, micro-credentials, and tech workforce pathways.

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TRM Training

Aroha Puketapu

Pouwhakahaere

Te Atiawa, Ngāti Ruapani

TRM Training supports rangatahi to thrive through culturally grounded micro-credentials and traditional knowledge pathways developed at the heart of Wainuiomata marae.

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PurSuit

Moira McGarva-Ratapu & Anaru Ratapu

Chief Executive Officer & Director

Ngāti Kahungunu, Rongomaiwāhine, Ngāti Whātua

PurSuit is a kaupapa Māori tech training and wellness organisation empowering rangatahi with digital skills, cultural grounding, and long-term career pathways.

Read the case studY CONNECT WITH THE ORGANISATION

Download the Report

The full report includes case studies, data, recommendations, and a strategic framework for tech sector transformation.

Useful for iwi leaders, educators, funders, policy makers, employers and those designing workforce solutions.

DOWNLOAD THE REPORT

Additional Resources for Further Reading

Te Kawa o Te Korekoreka: Māori Future Making
2025 – Te Korekoreka
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READ HERE

Māori in Digitech: Futures Report – Te Anamata o te Māori i te Ao Matihiko
2024–2025 – Te Hapori Matihiko

READ HERE

Ngā Anamata Māori Matihiko 2024 – Indigenous Māori in DigiTech Futures Report
2024 – Elle Archer

READ HERE

Toi Hangarau: A Report on Māori-owned Technology Enterprises
2024 – Pāua Interface Ltd
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READ HERE

Toi Whānui: Bridging the Digital Divide Development Plan
May 2024 – Te Wao Toi Whānui
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READ HERE

Te Au Hangarau: Tech Tāmaki Makaurau – Accelerating Auckland's Technology Industry
2023 – Tātaki Auckland Unlimited

READ HERE

Official Press Release: Matihiko Ora – Ka Eke, Ka Toro Final Report 2025

The official press release announcing the launch of Matihiko Ora: Ka Eke, Ka Toro – Reimagining a Strong Māori Tech Workforce Final Report 2025 is available on Scoop.

It highlights the report’s release and its vision for strengthening Māori participation and leadership in the tech sector.

read the official press release

Want to Join the Movement?

Whether you're from iwi, the tech industry, a tertiary institution or a local initiative, we welcome collaboration.Let’s work together to create thriving digital futures for our people, and measure the impact along the way. MEA offers expert support in community building, including outreach, facilitation, and impact analysis and reporting to help your kaupapa grow and thrive.

Get in touch