Wāhine Māori tech mission shines in Europe

AUCKLAND, Today: Go Media is leading a groundbreaking tech trade mission to Europe and the UK. With Andrea Rongonui as the Director, she’s one of ten wāhine Māori selected by Te Taumata trust.

Recent free trade agreements with the UK and EU, starting in May, include a Māori trade chapter. This opens new avenues for Māori economic growth.

Francis Davy from Callaghan Innovation says the initiative is promising. “This partnership will help support the long-term growth aspirations of Māori businesses.”

“This partnership will help support the long-term growth aspirations of Māori businesses.” – Francis Davy

“The trip kicked off with a welcome at the New Zealand Embassy in Paris, hosted by Ambassador Caroline Bilkey. We had networking events with industry leaders and visited Station F, the world’s largest start-up campus, with over 1,000 start-ups under one roof, including big names like Microsoft and Meta,” said Rongonui.

With women only 26.7% of New Zealand’s tech industry and Māori just 4.1%, Te Taumata highlights the need for diversity initiatives.

“Next, we headed to London for London Tech Week, bringing together innovators and investors from over 90 countries,” continues Rongonui. “It’s been non-stop with networking breakfasts, seminars, events at New Zealand House, and a visit to Google HQ in London.”

This trip includes a six-month follow-up programme to build a strong network of wāhine Māori in tech. Te Taumata and Callaghan Innovation hope to open new markets for Māori-led tech businesses and inspire young wāhine Māori to enter innovation, science, and technology fields.