Award nominations open for Aotearoa Maori business leaders

Blanche Morrogh says her winning a Maori business leader award last year broke down 'fear barriers.'

Nominations for the University of Auckland's 2018 Aotearoa Maori Business Leaders Awards are now open — and one Far North businesswoman is keen to see the opportunity taken.

Blanche Morrogh (nee Murray), of Kai Ora Honey, said winning the Young Maori Business Leader Award last year "broke down fear barriers" for the Far North-based whanau business.

"It was motivating and inspiring, and gave us the courage to push forward with our 'outside the box' ideas," said Mrs Morrogh, who was also a finalist for Next Women of the Year 2017 awards in the Business and Innovation category.

Another past winner, Karen Vercoe, said the award generated attention and business.
"I received numerous client calls, I was contacted for commercial and not for profit boards, I have been asked to mentor start-up Maori entrepreneurs. But more importantly the positive role model effect on my whanau has been wonderful," she said.

She had just left the consulting business she founded to take up the role of CEO at Te Arawa Lakes Trust.

Other past winners include Bailey Mackey, Hinerangi Raumati, Ngarimu Blair, Jamie Tuuta, Miriana Stephens, Mavis Mullins, Jason Witehira, Kingi Smiler and Ian Taylor. Previous organisation award winners include the Kahungunu Asset Holding Company, Ngai Tahu Holdings, Tainui Group Holdings, the Tuaropaki Trust and Wakatu.

Business School Associate Dean, Maori and Pacific, associate Professor Carla Houkamau, said the Maori economy was growing faster than the wider New Zealand economy, ballooning from an estimated asset base of $9.4 billion in 2001 to $50 billion in 2017, with some analysts forecasting it could top $100 billion in the next few years.

Iwi-controlled post-settlement assets alone were now worth $7.8 billion, with that figure predicted to reach $12 billion by 2026.

"This is an opportunity to recognise the massive contributions made by Maori business leaders — both individuals and organisations — to a buoyant economy grounded in Maori world views, and we warmly encourage nominations," Professor Houkamau said.

Award categories were outstanding Maori business leader, Maori women business leader, young Maori business leader (under 35), Maori governance leader, Maori entrepreneurial leader, and outstanding Maori business leadership (for organisations).

* The awards will be presented at a dinner in Auckland on May 4. Email MBLAnomination@auckland.ac.nz for further information.