11 November 2014
New MWDI course to boost Māori women in business
Māori women and their whānau are the focus of a new initiative designed to help grow and support their businesses.
Māori Women’s Development Inc (MWDI) and Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi-O-Ngāpuhi will launch a new financial literacy and business
hub called He Oranga at the RSA in Kaikohe on 12 November at 12pm.
MWDI Chief Executive, Teresa Tepania-Ashton says He Oranga training workshops focus on increasing financial literacy and business development.
“We partnered with Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi-O-Ngāpuhi and the Fin-Ed Centre at Massey University to run a pilot of part of the He Oranga programme with 18 Te Pū o te Wheke Whānau Ora community workers in the north as Personal Financial Literacy
Facilitators.”
“The pilot was a resounding success and Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi-O-Ngāpuhi have subsequently agreed to continue on with
participation in other He Oranga courses – this took place last week” Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi-O-Ngāpuhi Chief Executive Allen Wihongi said financial literacy
was one of the key areas of development for whānau, hapū and marae "It is an area sorely needed. Development
opportunities are enhanced through a better appreciation of financial management," Mr Wihongi said.
“Now we are implementing the business development He Oranga programme, Maibiz (an aspirational business development training programme),” Mrs Tepania- Ashton explains. MP for Te
Taitokerau, Kelvin Davis will play a role as Head Judge to find the winners of the Maibiz programme.
Auckland City Council and Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Porou have also partnered with MWDI to have He Oranga rolled out to their communities.
“We are delighted to have these organisations on board to help strengthen Māori business acumen and intelligence across
our people, as it aligns with Te Pū o Te Wheke’s economic strategies.”
Māori Womens Development Inc (MWDI) was established in 1987 to encourage the economic development of Māori women and
their whānau and ultimately ensure that Māori contribute equitably to this nation’s cultural, economic, social and
political achievements.
ENDS