OVER A QUARTER OF A CENTURY OF
TE MANŪ ATATŪ
Te Manū Atatū Whanganui Māori Business Network exists to connect, strengthen and champion pākihi Māori. We bring together enterprise, knowledge, relationships and opportunity so that Māori business success contributes to resilient whānau, thriving communities and the wellbeing of Te Awa Tupua.
Our kaupapa is guided by Tupua te Kawa, the natural law and value system of Te Awa Tupua. Its four principles are understood together and remind us that economic, social, collective and environmental wellbeing are inseparable.
Ko te Awa te mātāpuna o te ora: the River is the source of spiritual and physical sustenance. We support enterprise that sustains people and place, helping pākihi Māori access relevant information, practical support, development pathways and opportunities to trade.
E rere kau mai te Awa nui mai i te Kāhui Maunga ki Tangaroa: the great River flows from the mountains to the sea. We take a whole-of-community view, recognising that the choices and success of one enterprise can create benefits throughout the rohe and across generations.
Ko au te Awa, ko te Awa ko au: I am the River and the River is me. We encourage business practice grounded in kaitiakitanga, integrity and reciprocal responsibility, honouring the enduring relationship between people and Te Awa Tupua.
Ngā manga iti, ngā manga nui e honohono kau ana, ka tupu hei Awa Tupua: the small and large streams that flow into one another form one River. We create opportunities for pākihi, whānau, hapū, iwi, community organisations and partners to meet kanohi ki te kanohi, learn from one another and work towards shared prosperity. Every contribution strengthens the whole.
Through hui, events and our community space at The HIVE Whanganui Innovation Hub, Level 2, 120 Victoria Avenue, Whanganui, TMA provides a place where connections become collective action. In this way, the aspirations of pākihi Māori are woven into the wider aspirations of Whanganui: strong local livelihoods, healthy communities, enduring relationships and a flourishing Awa.
OUR HISTORY
Te Manū Atatū was founded in 2001 by John Nyman, Julie Ranginui and Betty Anderson. Keria Ponga recalls that the early kaupapa was to connect local Māori businesses and Māori tourism ventures with national Māori business networks, creating stronger pathways for collaboration and growth.
Leadership subsequently passed to Marty Davis and Mr and Mrs Hepi. During this period, Marty recalls, TMA established its first office beside Te Kaahui o Rauru. The kaupapa was then carried forward by Pahia and Njela Turia, followed by Hayden Potaka, Carol Hayward, Jackie Broughton, Paula Fore and Paula Wade. Across these successive stages of leadership, TMA established the Māori Business Awards and later operated from the Backhouse offices.
Today, Te Manū Atatū is located at 120 Victoria Avenue, Whanganui, and continues to connect Māori enterprise with the wider Whanganui community. We continue to weave relationships, grow capability and create opportunities so that pākihi Māori, our communities and Te Awa Tupua can thrive together.