Go Media director Andrea Rongonui named Māori Businesswoman of the Year

AUCKLAND, Friday: Last Friday evening the Māori Businesswomen’s Awards took place in Tāmaki Makaurau, celebrating indigenous wāhine in business from all across the motu.

Māori Businesswomen’s Awards 2023 supports the vision and mission of Māori Women’s Development Inc. (MWDI) to encourage the economic development of wāhine and their whānau to ensure that Māori contribute equitably to our cultural, spiritual, economic, social and political achievements.

With 10 business awards up for the taking across three different awards categories, the evening was studded with the very best of Māori Businesswomen from across Aotearoa.

Among the finalists and winners on the night, the undeniable talk of the town was of Andrea Rongonui; one of the directors at local outdoor advertising giant Go Media.

While Rongonui was nominated for two awards, Te Auahatanga (Innovation) and Pakihi Whai Ora (Social Enterprise), she ended up taking home three – after also being recognised as the Supreme Award Winner – the Māori businesswoman of the Year.

“Winning this category is a testament to our commitment to our values and serves as an inspiring reminder to continue on this journey.”

She said: “I am deeply honoured to receive recognition at these prestigious awards, and I want to share this incredible achievement with our outstanding Go Media team and my invaluable support network.

“We were successful in winning the Pakihi Whai Ora and Te Auahatanga categories, which ultimately led to the incredible honour of winning the Supreme Award.

“It is indeed gratifying to be acknowledged for our contributions in the Social Enterprise space.

“As a company we strongly support communities across various domains, including sports, music, arts, mental well-being, sustainability, and cultural enrichment.

“Winning this category is a testament to our authentic commitment to our values and serves as an inspiring reminder to continue on this journey.

“Additionally, our company takes great pride in its innovative spirit and leadership within the DOOH market, making this recognition for our innovation even more uplifting for everyone on our team.”