Toi Hangarau report makes Māori-owned technology companies, and their success, visible
There’s universal consensus that tech is not only here to stay but will be increasingly important to how we live, work and play. But how are Māori entrepreneurs faring in the tech world?
Do you know that nine Māori-owned tech companies, with revenues between $5m to $73m, operate globally?
Released in February, Toi Hangarau: Māori-Owned Technology Companies Annual Report 2023 is an industry-led and data-driven state of the sector report on Māori-owned technology companies. The report combines corporate, social, economic, environmental, and cultural data to present the Māori tech sector as a whole.
In order to champion this rapidly expanding Māori tech sector, Robyn Kamira (Te Rarawa, Te Aupōuri), CEO of Paua Interface (an Amotai supplier) and the primary author of Toi Hangarau, emphasised the importance of having a timely, in-depth, reliable report, "Technology supercharges every sector in Aotearoa, and the more Māori tech businesses and workers there are, the greater the impact we will have on overall Māori outcomes."
“An industry report on Māori owned tech companies is long overdue”, Ms. Kamira added.
“A trusted, reliable and independent analysis can uncover opportunities offered by Māori technology companies such as growing our technology workforce at home, contributing to the future economy, increasing incomes and opportunities for rangatahi and future-focused, exportable innovation that’s culturally aligned with people and planet.”
Toi Hangarau shares the stories and successes of Māori technology companies and provides government, investors, funders, and the wider tech industry much needed information, insights and trends. It offers vital benchmark information, research, and analysis about Māori-owned technology companies.
In the research, information about income, target markets and alignment with global technological trends has been gathered from 72 established businesses with 80% of them being micro and small companies. Collectively they employ more than 1,300 people throughout Aotearoa and many are operating internationally. Toi Hangarau features 16 notable Māori companies with combined revenues between $24-49 million in 2022. Kiwi Digital, Animation Research Limited, Banquer, Metia Interactive, and Toha Foundry are just some of the 16 companies where the report takes a deep dive.
The Southern Initiative supported the inaugural edition of Toi Hangarau through a small grant and peer-review by Intrapreneurs Joel Umali and Jerome Phoenix.
Tania Pouwhare, General Manager of The Southern Initiative said, “Māori entrepreneurship, tech and the future of work are priorities for us, so we were so pleased to support this kaupapa. For the first time, we have a baseline of Māori owned-technology companies and will be able to measure progress of the industry. We were thrilled to support Robyn and Paua Interface in this important mahi and can’t wait for the next edition.”
You can read Toi Hangarau: Māori Technology Companies Annual Report 2023 at www.toihangarau.nz.