Not Another welcomes Kaitohutohu Māori

CHRISTCHURCH, Today: Ōtautahi-based creative agency Not Another is today welcoming Josiah Komene (Ngāpuhi) to its team in the new role of Kaitohutohu Māori.

Agency co-founder Mark Townshend said: “The role will play a pivotal role in integrating te reo Māori language, Māori customs, etiquette, and worldviews into the everyday operations of Not Another, a certified B Corp.

Komene is looking forward to the challenge: “I’m thrilled to join Not Another. It’s heartening to see businesses like these showing a genuine commitment to promoting and integrating te ao Māori.

“I’m eager to work with the Not Another team to enhance the cultural understanding, appreciation, and application of te reo and tikanga Māori within the business, and share that knowledge with the wider Aotearoa business community.”

Komene’s first project is to script and produce a video series titled Ngā Taonga a Te Ao Māori – The Gifts of the Māori World. 

Townshend: “This course will serve as an invaluable tool for the Not Another team and, eventually, the wider business community of Aotearoa, aiming to create a deeper understanding of the richness of Māori culture, values, language, and history.

“The agency is culturally diverse, with 11 languages spoken in our team of 16. We’re proud of this, and it makes us stronger as a team.”

“The course will cover diverse topics, such as: Māori History, Understanding Māori Values, Basic Te Reo Māori,  Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and Building Relationships with Māori Communities.

“Josiah’s appointment is a significant step towards lifting our game on inclusivity and cultural awareness.

“With Josiah onboard, we look forward to embedding te ao Māori and tikanga Māori in our everyday kōrero and mahi.”

Not Another co-founder Adrien Taylor said: “As a Pakeha, I’ve always had a lot of interest in and respect for te ao Māori, but it’s always been from an outside view looking in. Having Josiah join our whānau will embed Māori values and culture into our everyday practices.

“The Not Another team is very culturally diverse with 11 languages spoken in our team of 16. We’re very proud of our diversity and it makes us stronger as a team.”

“Our aim is to foster a culturally diverse and inclusive workplace, with a team that understands Māori language and culture, as well as the principles set out in Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Josiah’s appointment marks a significant step in our journey towards achieving this.”

• na.studio