Our Story:
Strengthening Māori leadership. Transforming organisations.
Te Whare Hukahuka exists to make governance easier and more effective – equipping indigenous leaders with the knowledge, tools and support to grow strong, sustainable and self-determining organisations.
We envision a world where indigenous communities thrive - and our goal is to positively impact the lives of 10 million indigenous people.
Our kaupapa is grounded in mana motuhake, succession and kotahitanga. We believe that by uplifting Māori governance, enterprise, and innovation, we can create systemic change for current and future generations.
Over the past 12 years, we’ve worked with over 400 Māori organisations, and trained more than 2,000 Māori leaders including iwi, hapū, marae, hauora and ahuwhenua trusts across Aotearoa.
Our name, ‘Te Whare Hukahuka’ gifted by our first iwi partner Ngāti Pukenga, refers to ‘the domain of innovation’, inspired by the pūrākau of Tangaroa birthing the creatures of the sea.
Our team supports Māori leaders to:
Strengthen governance and leadership capability
Develop impactful strategies for complex challenges
Empower emerging/rangatahi leaders through succession
Launch and grow impactful social enterprises
Build partnerships and attract investment.
We don’t work in isolation. We collaborate with iwi, agencies and community organisations to activate community-led solutions.
As well as working at the flaxroots, we also play a sector leadership role, influencing national and international conversations and policy. We do this as part of an intergenerational view to create systemic change and make a lasting difference.
Our flagship Ka Eke Poutama rangatahi governance programme, named Community-based Programme of the Year (2017), is equipping the next generation of Māori governance leaders.
Our work has been recognised nationally and internationally, including Forbes Asia’s 30 Under 30 list for combining innovation, tikanga and practical tools that make a real difference on the ground.
For us, success looks like our alumni setting bold and pragmatic strategies, make effective decisions for the benefit of their communities, and being a beacon of hope and pride for their people.
Leadership is not easy. We are here to help bear the load.
“E tū ki te kei o te waka, kia pakia koe e ngā ngaru o te wā.
Stand at the stern of the canoe, and feel the spray of the future biting at your face.
- Dr Apirana Mahuika