Wā Matua - 50+ Business Start-up Programme
The Swimmers
Photography – Florence Charvin
Welcome to the Wā Matua Māori Senior Entrepreneurs Programme – an empowering wānanga-based business development initiative specifically designed for Māori aged 50 and above.
Our mission is to equip participants with valuable insights, essential relationships, and practical tools, enabling them to transform their ideas, talents, or passions into sustainable and thriving business ventures.
The programme spans nine months and provides comprehensive fee-free support, guiding entrepreneurs through the critical start-up phase of their businesses. With a holistic approach that includes business mentoring and wellbeing components, we foster an environment that nurtures success.
While we are no longer taking new participants, we invite you to stay tuned for exciting updates on the programme's progress, inspiring success stories, and achievements as we celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit within our vibrant community!
»Those over 50 (later-in-life innovators and creatives) have a unique starting position. They bring wisdom, experience, and life skills. They also bring three Kete o te wānanga (baskets of knowledge) – kete tuari (sacred knowledge), kete tuatea (ancestral knowledge) and kete aronui (life’s knowledge). We acknowledge they may also have areas they are less familiar with around business such as e-commerce, social media and systems and processes.«
Leonie Wallwork – Senior Enterprise Project Lead