Māori innovation and technology on show

Aotearoa’s most innovative and forward thinking Māori businesses and experts attended the very first Māori Tech Showcase in Hamilton last night to exhibit cutting edge technology and innovation in Aotearoa.

The evening event, part of TechWeek'18 Waikato, attracted 14 Māori exhibitors and businesses who are using and developing high tech solutions in range of areas from game development, entertainment, tourism, te reo and cultural revitalisation sectors.

Arataki Cultural Trails founder Lee Timutimu (Ngaati Awa, Ngaai Te Rangi, Tuhoe, Ngaati Porou) said innovation and technology was an element that was inherently linked to Māori and should be explored. 

“It is in our DNA, our tuupuna we're innovators and disruptors, they were bold and brave and had to make some pretty big decisions when they left Hawaiki.” 

“There are so many Māori businesses and individuals doing amazing things - AR, VR, AI, big data, apps, software, blockchain, cryptocurrency.  You name it, we're doing it,” he said.

Creating awareness of the depth and range of Māori products and services was a key driver of this event. It was also an opportunity to promote the sector as a viable career pathway for Māori youth. 

Currently only one-percent of Māori are enrolled or studying towards an ICT qualification. 

To address this, award-winning Maru Nihoniho (Ngaati Porou, Te Whaanau-a-Apanui, Ngaai Tahu) founder of Auckland-based Metia Interactive led a discussion on the potential opportunities and how it has led to the establishment of her game development studio. 

12-year-old entrepreneur and guest speaker Christian-Lee Pogai shared his whaanau business concept, Marae BnB. A similar concept of Air BnB that will allow marae to provide an accommodation service through an elaborate booking system.

Event organiser Kahurangi Taylor from Waikato Innovation Park said this was an exciting opportunity for whaanau and tamariki to see what was being done and what was possible in the future. 

“We have some amazing Māori talent and this showcase will allow whaanau and tamariki to see what is possible in the technology sector. We have some of the world’s best in our own backyard so what better way to do it,” Kahurangi said.

“Waikato is the fastest growing tech region in the country and that is reflected with the increased number of Maaori tech start-ups that we see coming to Waikato Innovation Park. It seems Waikato and Bay of Plenty are the hot spots for Maori tech companies”

To find out more about the Māori Tech Showcase download the Techweek ’18 app from the App Store or Play Store to get information on sessions, speakers and exhibitors. You can use the app to register for the event and as a tool to connect to people and facilitate networking opportunities with other Māori Tech Showcase attendees.