Josh Hema was grateful for the help from Te Tahua o Rangitāne. Photo / Leanne Warr
Josh Hema was grateful for the help from Te Tahua o Rangitāne. Photo / Leanne Warr
Josh Hema had several jobs before he opened up shop as a barber.
"I've been barbering for just under four years," he told guests at the official opening of Te Tahua o Rangitāne held lastweek.
Josh Hema in his Dannevirke barbershop made possible with the help of Te Tahua o Rangitāne. Photo / Leanne Warr
It was the business hub, the economic and housing arm of Rangitāne o Tamaki nui ā rua, that helped him on the path to owning his own shop - Fortynine30 barbershop in Dannevirke.
Hema said he had been travelling to workshops and trying to learn as much as he could, as well as networking in barbering.
"It means that you've not only created opportunity, not just for myself and my whanau, but other rangatahi as well."
He said one of those working for him was only 17 and still a student.
"Without the shop he wouldn't have had that opportunity."
Aaron Karena sees lots of potential in the area. Photo / Leanne Warr
Chairman Aaron Karena said Te Tahua's drive was to support Māori businesses.
"We're not just talking Rangitāne. We're talking all Māori business."
He said he'd been born and bred in Dannevirke and it was important to see his peers coming through and building businesses, becoming part of the community.
General manager Shaun Lines said the mission statement was "giving people a shot".