In partnership with Māori business network Whāriki, we launched six Māori led crowdfunds over the past week, starting with a bang at our online event Pūtea for Pakihi, attended by 142 people.
Each founder is building a business that will serve their communities in ways that will ripple outwards for generations to come.
Below is an introduction to their mahi (hopefully you’d feel as excited about these projects as we do!).
Little People, Big Emotions
Renee White, founder of Little People, Big Emotions, is a mum of three and a certified Peaceful Parent Educator. She started this pakihi from her lounge floor in South Canterbury to help raise emotionally intelligent tamariki. What began as a personal journey has grown into something much bigger, with families and educators all over Aotearoa and beyond using her resources.
She’s crowdfunding to take the next big step — getting their first bulk order printed with their new overseas suppliers and launching their professionally designed packaging. She’s offering posters, cards, stickers, guides and more as rewards in exchange for pledges. This will help them finally get into stores and reach even more whānau with the tools they need.
RIESIN
Mattesin and Marie, are sisters and founders of RIESIN, a Māori-owned athleisure wear brand made for wāhine, by wāhine.
They’re raising funds to help launch their next culture-inspired drop, restock their best-sellers, and build future collections that celebrate their curves, culture, and hauora.
A successful crowdfund will help them take RIESIN to the next level — creating fit-for-purpose athleisurewear that makes wāhine everywhere feel strong, seen, and celebrated. And in the process of that growth, they’ll build the skills they need to keep this kaupapa thriving and grow a brand that empowers future generations of Mana wāhine. They’re offering home made cake, public gratitude, workouts, active wear and more as rewards.
Te Hokinga Tuna
Te Hokinga Tuna is a kaupapa Māori initiative based in Te Tai Tokerau (Northland), dedicated to restoring the health of waterways and reviving traditional knowledge around tuna (eel). Michelle Wilson-Astle and Tamati Astle are raising funds to support the foundational works of their very own tuna hatchery, alongside the delivery of a unique educational curriculum that weaves together mātauranga Māori, science, and hands-on learning. This programme engages tamariki and rangatahi from early childhood through to tertiary levels, fostering kaitiakitanga, cultural identity, and environmental leadership through the story of tuna.
Tū Māori
Pumamao is on a mission to build a Māori-led creative space called Tū Māori in Rotorua, where culture, language, and identity come to life.
Also on the Tū Māori team are Pumamao’s mother, wife, daughter and son. They’re passionate Māori educators, artists, and cultural practitioners, with deep whakapapa ties to Te Arawa, Tainui, Tuwharetoa, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whakaue and beyond.
With decades of experience teaching Te Reo Māori, tikanga and rāranga, they’re committed to creating spaces that uphold the mana of their people and language.
They’re crowdfunding to raise pūtea to operate a dedicated space where their ākonga can come together in a safe, culturally grounded environment to learn, grow, and thrive in te ao Māori. This space will support wānanga reo, tikanga, Māori art classes, mokopapa, and traditional practices like ruku and hī ika. They’re offering te reo Māori lessons to all levels of speakers, as rewards.
Mary – Te Ao Ō Tamaaki Nui
Mary McLeod is one of the founding members/CEO/Chairman for a youth workshop called Te Ao Ō Tamaaki Nui-Building.
Te Ao ō Tamaaki Nui is a whānau-led kaupapa based in South Auckland, grounded in aroha, creativity, and lived experience. They run free, hands on workshops in barbering, apparel printing, beautician skills, spoken music, and life coaching for rangatahi aged 14-18yrs old.
They’re crowdfunding to secure a permanent space for their mahi, a safe, inspiring hub where youth can grow, create, and build real-world skills.
Stryder HQ
Stryder Eco Village is a building company, and more. They design and build sustainable eco villages, deliver trade-based education, guide whānau through funding, and create real access to housing, employment, and opportunity. They’re there to uplift the village, not just build it.
They’re crowdfunding to build the headquarters for Stryder, AKA Stryder HQ! This space will be the hub of their operations. It will be an anchor for their community eco-village, and others to come. It will be a living legacy for generations to come.
Stryder HQ will become an umbrella, not only for their rangatahi, but for local small businesses to thrive alongside. It will be a hub of unity, innovation, and collaboration, a space where tradespeople, creatives, entrepreneurs, and educators come together to uplift not just their kaupapa, but their entire community.
By pledging to these crowdfunds during their launch, you’ll not only receive some pretty cool rewards, but you’ll become part of their journey to create positive change for their communities. Join their launch below.
