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HE Māori AHAU (I am Māori)

CULTURAL IDENTITY IN THE BUSINESS WORLD IN ANOTHER COUNTRY

Ko wai au? Who am I? Who am I in the Business World in another country? When you make that big step to move to another country, it’s not always green on the other side. You grow to really appreciate your identity as Māori when you must learn to adjust and integrate into another country and another system. We all have our reasons for moving away from home. Yes, there are many things we miss such as our whānau(family), hapu(sub-tribe) and iwi(tribe) environment, to the kai (food), to the feeling of belonging, the feeling of acceptance etc. For me it was starting a clean slate, wanting a change, wanting to do something better in the world. And a promise made between myself, my grandmother and aunty. When the opportunity was made available to move to Australia permanently nearly 11 years ago, I took it. The one thing we must remember is we need to be strong, reach those goals in business, maintain our identity. Yes, we get mamae(miss) for our whenua (land). But we are here in another country so we make the best of it. We haven’t got time to moan about what we don’t have. As our tīpuna(ancestors), koroua(elder male) and kuia (elder female) back home do. Be resourceful. Utilize the taonga (gifts) we have to make things happen. One saying that always resonates with me came from my mother:

“Don’t be a jack of all trades and a master of none.” - (Robert green, 1592)

For me in my terms don’t just have experience and no qualifications to back it up. Be the example and if need be getting up-skilled to support that taonga that I already possess. I made the decision right I’m going to challenge myself and get the qualifications to back up the experience I have in different industries. This pushed me to get 3 qualifications in 3 different industries as I didn’t want to be stuck in one industry. I’m in the process of completing my MBA here in Australia while conducting businesses and my taking care of my whanau(family).

Something for you to think about.

1 What taonga do you have? (It could be singing, cooking, helping others)

2 What problems do others have that you know you can help with?

3 How to incorporate your cultural identity into the mahi (work) that you do?

4 What does your taonga have that stands out that others don’t have?

5 What have you done successfully in the past that has resonated in the hearts of others?

6 Ask your whanau or friends what taonga you have? They may notice what you don’t notice.

7 Surrounding yourself with those who inspire and motivate you to be the best

8 Are you ready to take the plunge and convert your taonga into a business?

9 Do you want to do hard mahi (work) and work for someone else forever? (If “NO” It’s time to start turning that taonga into something that works.)

10 Don’t limit yourself or your capabilities. If I can do it! You can too!

Spend that necessary time with yourself to get that clarity, you need to sit down and make some hard decisions. But before you do that do up a plan of action, do the necessary research, trial, get the tautoko (support) you need to finalize the decisions that you are about to make.