Tēnā koutou e te whānau,
In this final edition of 2025, we reflect on some of the highlights and milestones that have shaped MEA’s kaupapa this year. First, we acknowledge our partners, the amazing organisations and projects we have had the privilege of working with. It has been a massive year for MEA, and the call for all of us to dig deeper as the social, political and economic challenges take their toll on whānau, hapū, Iwi and the broader community.
Congratulations and well done - we made it this far!
Although we are heading into Kirihimete - Christmas and te wā o Hine Raumati - summer, which for many is a joyful time, there will be many of our friends and loved ones who may not be celebrating - due to bereavement, loss, and to be honest, a bit of a shitter of a year. I’d like to take some time to give each of you a digital cuddle and a reminder that you are important, you are loved. Grief needs its time to be felt - so please allow yourself to have these emotions wash over and through you.
Kia māiā!
What have we been up to:
On the note of this being a massive year, our focus for 2025 was
- increasing our impact,
- unlocking ways to enable indigenous to indigenous trade,
- supporting whānau-led energy projects,
- taking Governance training out to marae and
- fostering business relationships with ethnic and migrant women of colour in Aotearoa.
This is a general update on some of the partnerships and collaborations we have been part of:
MEA were pleased to support Just Speak and Amnesty International to release this report, “If I was Prime Minister” - Insights and Experiences of Rangatahi in the Aotearoa New Zealand Criminal Justice System. As a guest editor, it was painful reading the stories of these rangatahi. There are, however, various solutions and calls to action. Please take some time to read the report and think about those struggling in our communities.
Rangatahi Homelessness is another national issue on the increase. We loved supporting Mā te Huruhuru in March, facilitating a hui with the sector to find ways to collectively tackle this issue. The More than a Home Report was a result of that gathering which was launched in parliament earlier this month hosted by Hon Marama Davidson. As a result, less than two weeks later, Te Paati Māori MP Orini Kaipara submitted a Youth Homelessness Prevention Bill . If successful, the Bill will enact a Duty to Assist for certain government agencies, establish an Authority for Rangatahi, ensure adequate funding, and most importantly, it prioritises reporting mechanisms to ensure accurate data so that no rangatahi is ever homeless again.
Rangatahi - The new nets go fishing
We farewelled our rangatahi social media lead - Te Rima, who has now working full-time in Australia. Thank you for all your mahi for the past four years.
In November I attended the WIPCE Conference to support my niece, Waimārie Tipene from 897 Studios, who released the short film The Broken Circle. Together, we talked about the importance of storytelling and how film can be a transformative tool for learning and education. We also launched the Indigin8 Film Competition. Keep an eye on our socials in 2026 for more information on that.
MEA and the Tech Sector
Thanks to MBIE, we released our Matihiko Ora - Ka Eke, Ka Toro: Reimagining a strong Māori Tech Workforce Report. Thank you once again to these organisations for sharing your stories from the frontlines on educating young people to enter into this mahi: PurSuit, TRM Training, 3 Bags Full, Mission Ready HQ, Dev Academy Aotearoa, Rea, Digital Natives Academy, Nōna Te Ao, Talent Rise, Toi Kai Rawa, Oranga Matihiko
Energy is power!
MEA, as the secretariat for Hīhiko (whānau-led energy projects), partnered with Ara Ake and Ngā Iwi o Taranaki to host the inaugural National Māori Energy Summit MEA were able to co-host with Owae Marae and co-design the first day - He Ahi Kaa - He Ao Hou with a specific focus on marae, papakāinga and whānau-led solutions. Please complete this survey if you would like to be part of the Hihiko movement.
Thank you to the locals and the broader National Iwi Chairs Forum for bringing this important kaupapa to the fore and to our friends from the Indigenous Clean Energy Network and Original Power Australia for sharing your knowledge to us here in Aotearoa.
Solid and Te Wiki o Te Reo
During Te Wiki o Te Reo, we partnered with Solid Oral Health Care to translate their labels into Te Reo Māori. Company co-founder Adam McConnochie wanted to honour te reo and he also committed to contributing 50 cents of every toothpaste sold to his Iwi - Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa provider Kahunungu Executive Oral Health Care mobile van. Solid raised over $1,000 for Adam to take home to his whanaunga.
MEA in Te Taiao
We launched in partnership with the Department of Conservation the Mapping Incorporation of Te Ao Māori in the Freshwater Biosecurity System report, where we highlight key strategies for strengthening DOC’s freshwater biosecurity efforts by integrating Te Ao Māori principles, ensuring Māori communities can exercise kaitiakitanga and mana whakahaere. Across all case studies, a recurring theme is the need for trust-based relationships, prioritising local expertise, and providing culturally responsive support for whānau-led initiatives.
MEA also collaborated with the NZ Planners Institute to share information about the Mana Whakahono a Rohe agreements between Tangata Whenua and and local authorities to discuss, agree and record how they will work together under the Resource Management Act (RMA). This includes agreeing how tangata whenua will be involved in decision making processes.
It's a shame these agreements could be at risk with the sudden changes underfoot for the RMA. We urge all our readers to put forward a submission on this very important kaupapa.
MEA and Whenua Māori
We worked with TPK National Office to co host a series of hui regards the proposed changes of Te Ture Whenua Māori. It was great to ensure whānau and landowners voices were heard and could help influence policy development.
MEA Community Development
We are taking our Pro Bono work seriously - joining the Pro Bono Global Network where we have been gifting our time to community kaupapa such as Rangatahi Mental Health Mentoring with Pūawai, business mentoring with start-ups and contributing to various kaupapa in the Māori Tech Sector. I’m very happy to have been appointed the Chair of PukeAute Papakāinga, so a major focus will be on supporting our whānau to develop whenua, education and energy projects.
Indigenous to IndigenousTrade
This year has also been a massive focus on indigenous to indigenous trade, including:
- Attending the SXSW - South by South West Activation Programme in Austin, Texas, as a guest of First Nations House
- Osaka World Trade Expo with the tribal Te Aratini Delegation
- World Indigenous Business Forum in Melbourne
- Supply Nation Connect Summit - Indigenous Procurement with Amotai
- Young Business Leaders Initiative to Vietnam with the Asia NZ Foundation
Each of these international gatherings have helped to explore opportunities to strengthen and develop indigenous to indigenous trade and business.
Some of the kaupapa we are launching and involved in, including a Trade MOU with the State of Victoria, Indigenous Foreign Trade Zone Research and an Indigenous Consulting Consortium. Please click here if you are interested in joining us and working together.
Training our Future Leaders
It has been amazing to work in partnership with Te Whare Hukahuka to assist with the design and delivery of the new iteration of the Ka Eke Poutama - Rangatahi into Governance Programme. It is wonderful to know we now have over 200 trained leaders working across Iwi, community and the corporate sector.
Iwi Impact
The last three years we have been working beside Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services, together we co-created their communications strategy, branding, website refresh, reset and grow their social media presence and amplify their various campaign including their Matua Atawhai programme to increase kin based care for children in Oranga Tamariki.
We have also been supporting Te Hau Ora o Ngāpuhi to strengthen their social media presence, brand refresh, website set up, digital newsletter and public health messaging.
Te Rūnanga ā Iwi o Ngāpuhi have also been an excellent partner to work with, to support and co-design their Ka Tātai Hono campaign to engage and connect with whānau for their input into the future direction and representation review of the Iwi.
MEA Development - Strengthening our waka
We have now on the final leg our journey to become certified B-Corp, and we celebrate joining the Do Good Impact Directory, connecting us with like-minded pakihi, partners, and communities committed to collective impact. We are also grateful to be part of the NZ Fernmark registry which is a formal government recognition of our product’s connection to New Zealand and clearly communicates our country of origin to consumers around the world.
Listen up - MEA Nei te Kōrero - Our new podcast
At the SXSW conference in Austin, we soft-launched our podcast MEA nei te Kōrero, which has brought Māori and Indigenous voices together to explore technology, wellbeing, and innovation through the lens of mātauranga Māori. This is really an excuse for me to share some of the amazing people and conversations I’m lucky to have with diverse individuals from around the world. We have partnered with various organisations such as Te Kotahi Institute from the University of Waikato and The Moko Foundation to undertake a series of interviews on Indigenous Genomics. I met an amazing Indigenous elder sharing her experience of Nuclear Energy production and the impact on their community. We also undertook some exciting leadership and wellbeing conversations on behalf of the Centre of Māori Suicide Prevention - Te Rau Ora.
You can have a listen to us on Spotify here.
Hāpori Ora - Community Outreach
We loved working with Why Ora, an amazing workforce development organisation with a focus on rangatahi Māori in Taranaki and Whanganui to help them refresh their strategic priorities across Taranaki.
STEMM in Singapore
MEA were pleased to support Pūhoro STEMM, an incredible for-purpose organisation that increases Māori participation in STEMM (science, technology, engineering, maths and mātauranga Māori) with a specific focus on building capability into STEMM across secondary, tertiary and industry sectors.
Our team were approached to support the co-design of a STEM experience in Singapore due to our Director’s extensive relationships in the country. Pūhoro STEMM wanted to ensure their delegation of 20 had a broad industry experience that was educational and, most importantly, to have an opportunity to connect with the local indigenous community.
MEA worked with Pūhoro partners such as Hidden, PlayMoolah, Fonterra, Institute of Technical Education, Lontessa, Stellar SparX International, GoTechUp, New Zealand High Commission Singapore, Sustainable Living Lab, Bioprocessing Technology Institute (BTI), Clinical Nutrition Research Centre (CNRC), Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation (SIFBI) as well as Lepak Conversations and Orang Laut to build an incredible five-day programme. The programme provided rangatahi with immersive, hands-on experiences across STEMM, including interactive workshops, company visits, and gamified learning challenges. Students engaged with cutting-edge technology, explored sustainability and innovation in real-world contexts, and had the chance to reflect on mātauranga Māori perspectives in science, technology, and problem-solving.
Through kōrero sessions with industry leaders, students gained valuable insights into career pathways, leadership, and the impact of innovation in diverse sectors. They collaborated in teams, applied critical thinking, and shared their learning, creating a vibrant environment for curiosity, creativity, and growth. Each visit was carefully designed to connect learning with practical applications, offering students a meaningful glimpse into professional STEMM environments while inspiring their future aspirations.
We thank our friends who are part of NZ Trade and Enterprise, The Edmund Hillary Fellowship, Asia 21, and the NZ Asia Foundation for helping to build these connections.
The entire journey had a significant impact on the students involved.
One student said:
"The Sustainable Living Lab, particularly the permeable blocks that allow rain to infiltrate and help reduce flood risk, really stood out to me. I have focused a lot on flood risk in Asia through my studies, and seeing these adaptations in real life was really impressive."
"The Lepak Indigenous experience was definitely the highlight of my trip. The haerenga really opened my eyes to the injustices that have occurred to the Indigenous population in an otherwise ‘perfect’ country. Learning about these injustices was eye-opening, but what really struck me was realising how much we, as Māori, have in common with other Indigenous cultures around the world. We have suffered many of the same losses, lost many of the same battles, and fought hard to regain our place at the table.”
MEA love the work of Pūhoro STEMM and believe the future of our country will be positively impacted by ensuring rangatahi have experiences like this, build stronger friendships and bring their ideas home.
To learn more about Pūhoro, consider partnering or becoming a mentor, reach out to them here: https://www.puhoro.org.nz/
There have been lots of events to MC this year, including:
- Launch of the Tin 100 Report in Hamilton
- Kauwaka te Ipurangi Māori Internet Hui
Being comfortable being a Kūmara
It’s not quite my vibe to be Kūmara I love pushing people forward and engineerinf things from the background. It has been wonderful to see our work in the community recognised by our peers specifically the Kanapū specifically the Ngā Tohu Hihiko Award as a Community weaver.
Pictured from left to right: Vanessa Clark on behalf of Anne-Marie Jackson, Kaye-Maree Dunn, Jacqui Forbes and Peter-Lucas Jones Each person received an award representing one of the four pou of Kanapu. Tohu created by Tukaroto Mahuta. Source - https://kanapu.maori.nz/nga-tohu-kanapu/
It was also wonderful for MEA to gain recognition as a Pou Whirinaki - Business Collaborator for Māori Women's Development Inc.
- Join the directory: https://lnkd.in/gW6NVMcz
- View MEA’s profile: https://lnkd.in/gUJebFfs
Being part of spaces like this reminds us of the collective strength behind our mahi, and the importance of continuing to work alongside others who share this commitment.
Indigenous AI and Genomics Podcast
Delivered in partnership with the Tikanga in Technology project at Te Kotahi Research Institute, University of Waikato, this series has explored ethical research, Indigenous-led innovation, and the role of Māori and Indigenous worldviews in guiding the future of technology and science.
Te Rau Ora Podcast
In partnership with Te Rau Ora - Centre of Māori Suicide Prevention, this series has centred honest kōrero on Māori wellbeing. Guided by mātauranga Māori and community voices, each episode has highlighted pathways to resilience, healing, and hope for our whānau and communities.
As we head into Raumati and prepare for the year ahead, we carry these kōrero with us, grounding our mahi and guiding what’s to come. [Listen here]
Ngā Mihi Nunui | Thank You for Walking With Us
On behalf of the entire MEA whānau, we extend our heartfelt aroha to each of you for walking alongside us this year. Your partnership, trust, and contribution are invaluable — not only to our kaupapa, but to the communities we collectively serve. Together, we are working to create meaningful, lasting change in support of tangata whenua and Indigenous communities here in Aotearoa and across the globe.
At MEA, we believe that deeply understanding your kaupapa, and MEAfying it, allows us to uncover the right pathways and practical steps to help make your aspirations achievable. This shared understanding strengthens our ability to deliver outcomes that truly matter.
Your continued support and collaboration empower us to transform lives and contribute to a more thriving future for our communities and for Papatūānuku. For this, we thank you sincerely.
If you have kaupapa you’d like to explore with us in 2025, we’d love to kōrero. Please get in touch. We’re here to awhi: kaiwhakahaere@mea.nz
Over the summer break, the MEA team will be taking some time to rest, enjoy Raumati, and prepare for the year ahead. That said, we will remain available for anything urgent.
If you have any pātai, please reach out to Kaye-Maree or Holly, and we’ll respond as soon as we’re able.
Stay safe, enjoy the festive season, and we wish you a restful and joyful holiday break.
MEA will be closed from 23 December 2025 to 26 January 2026.
Ngā mihi nui,
The MEA Team
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