Māori business leaders driving New Zealand’s success
The recipients of the 2017 University of Auckland Aotearoa Māori Business Leaders Awards are championing the growth of the Māori economy, says Callaghan Innovation’s Hēmi Rolleston.Callaghan Innovation, the government’s business innovation agency, works with several of the winners:
- Mavis Mullins, the recipient of the Outstanding Māori Business Leader Award;
- Blanche Morrogh, who won the Young Māori Business Leader Award;
- Bailey Mackey, who took the Māori Entrepreneurial Leader Award; and
- Liz Te Amo, who received the Dame Mira Szászy Māori Alumni Award.
“Callaghan Innovation’s is here to help New Zealand businesses succeed, so that this country can succeed” says Hēmi Rolleston, General Manager Sector Impact, Māori Economy and Programmes. Hēmi sat on the Awards steering committee.“Māori businesses are an increasingly important part of New Zealand’s economy, particularly those that are focusing on innovation. The winners of the awards are exemplars of a mindset shift, with more Māori embracing technology and change as opportunities to thrive, while maintaining their authenticity.“It’s great to see events like these awards bring together a group of very successful Māori, fostering connections and the cross-pollination of ideas between the leaders and future leaders of the Māori economy.”Media contact: Iain Butler 029 261 0086About Callaghan InnovationCallaghan Innovation is a government agency supporting the commercialisation of innovation by New Zealand firms. We have the talent, resources, knowledge and connections to help businesses turn ideas into internationally marketable products and services more quickly - and with more success.We give businesses a single front door to the innovation system, working in partnership with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, economic development agencies, business incubators, universities, polytechnics, Crown Research Institutes, the venture capital community and industry associations.We FUND business research and development, we ADVISE businesses on innovation; and we PROVIDE research and technical services.