Let's Talk Tikanga

Let's Talk Tikanga is a six-part online monthly series, led by Dr Ruakere Hond. Sessions are held at lunchtime and will deepen your understanding and practice of tikanga Māori in business.

The series is brought to you in collaboration with He Toronga Pākihi ki Taranaki (Māori Business Network), the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce and Reo Kōrero.

Designed with businesses in mind - but open to all - each wānanga is guided by Dr Ruakere Hond, one of Aotearoa’s most respected voices in te ao Māori.

Build your confidence and understanding at your own pace, with time to ask questions, explore real-world scenarios, and reflect on how tikanga can be meaningfully embedded in your mahi.

The series is sequential, with each wānanga building on the last.We recommend you sign up for all six sessions – but you can also choose to attend individual ones.

Sessions are delivered online, with recordings available to registered participants for three weeks after each wānanga.

You also have the option to attend in person in New Plymouth – at no extra cost. Enjoy refreshments and spend more time chatting with Ruakere. First come, first served – places are limited!

Cost

$150 per session per person

• Discounts apply if you buy all six
• Choose between the online or in-person ticket option.

Regional Business Partner subsidy

There is a 75% subsidy through the Regional Business Partners (RBP) fund for eligible businesses. Please note the fund is for For-Profit organisations only.

With RBP subsidy: $37.50 per session / $225 for all six

You need to confirm your eligibility for RPB before signing up to Let’s Talk Tikanga. It is quick and easy to do. Fill out this Support Enquiry Form to arrange a chat with an adviser.

You can also email or call an adviser in your local RBP. You can find the Regional Business Partner in your area here.

To speed up the process, register your business through the RBP portal. There's no cost, but you need your NZBN.

Discounts

Discounts are available to those who are NOT eligible for the RBP subsidy.

Full series of six sessions: Buy 5, get 1 free — $750 pp

Contact us if there are three or more attendees from your group to get 10% off.

tetsu@htpkt.maori.nz

👥Why Attend

Learn from Dr Ruakere Hond, a leading voice in language revitalisation and te ao Māori

• Be part of a movement confidently embedding te ao Māori into how we do business in Aotearoa
• Ask questions in a safe and open space
• Build long-term relationships with other businesses as we learn together
• Access practical tools you can apply straight away in your business
• Revisit the kōrero with recordings available for 3 weeks to registered participants
• Taranaki-based? Join us in person for refreshments and an informal kōrero with Ruakere after the session. There is no extra cost. Kia tere - don’t miss out, seats are limited!
• Your business might be eligible for a 75% subsidy through the Regional Business Partner Network.

🗓️ Session Summaries

1. Te Reo Māori

15 September 2025

We launch Let’s Talk Tikanga – and celebrate Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori – with a compelling dive into the history of language loss and revitalisation, guided by one of the world’s leading experts.You’ll leave with kupu and kōrero you can use straight away in your business.

2. Whanaungatanga

8 October 2025

Whakapapa, connection, and collaboration sit at the heart of whanaungatanga. This session explores how tikanga can help strengthen internal relationships with staff and teams, as well as external ones with Māori clients, partners, customers, iwi, hapū, PSGEs and the community.You’ll leave with practical ways to foster meaningful relationships grounded in tikanga Māori.

3. Manaakitanga

12 November 2025

Explore the power of manaaki in business – from workplace wellbeing and nurturing relationships to simply taking care of people. This session unpacks tikanga like pōwhiri and karakia through the lens of manaakitanga.You’ll leave with tools to embed care, respect, and cultural integrity in your everyday business practice.

4. Tapu & Noa

10 December 2025

Gain a clear understanding of tapu and noa – key concepts that shape behaviour, guide decisions, and influence everyday practice in te ao Māori. Learn why Māori avoid sitting on tables, have a cup of tea after a pōwhiri, and how rāhui works in practice.You’ll leave with insight into how these values affect daily behaviour and how to respect them in business contexts.

5. Te Tiriti o Waitangi

11 February 2026

Unpack the differences between the texts of Te Tiriti, the historical context of its signing, and the enduring impact of those differences today.You’ll leave with a better understanding of how to build partnerships with Māori and support shared aspirations for the future.

6. Rangatiratanga

11 March 2026

A deep dive into how Māori lead – and how rangatiratanga is grounded in collective wellbeing, long-term thinking, and tikanga. This session ties together all the values explored in Let’s Talk Tikanga. You’ll leave with a deeper appreciation of Māori leadership values and how they can strengthen your approach and relationships with Māori.

*If you have any questions or require accessibility assistance, please let us know by emailing tetsu@htpkt.maori.nz

*By attending this event, you consent to having your photo taken for marketing and promotional purposes. Please inform a team member if you do not wish to have your photo taken.