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.

Each online session runs for two hours.

We recommend you sign up for all sessions in this six-part Let’s Talk Tikanga series, but you can also choose to attend individual sessions.

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!

Recordings are available to view for three weeks for all registered participants.

The series is sequential, with each wānanga building on the last.

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.

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.

admin@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

Join us to launch Let’s Talk Tikanga and Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori with a compelling dive into the history of language loss and revitalisation from a globally recognised expert in language revitalisation. You’ll leave with kupu and kōrero you can use straight away in your business.

2. Whanaungatanga

8 October 2025

Whakapapa, connection, and working together are at the heart of whanaungatanga. It’s how we connect and keep those bonds strong and healthy. You’ll leave this session with ideas about how tikanga can help you build internal relationships with staff and teams, and external ones too, with Māori clients, partners, customers, iwi, hapū, PSGEs and wider community.

3. Manaakitanga

12 November 2025

Explore the power of manaaki in business - from workplace wellbeing, nurturing relationships, to just taking care of people. This session explains tikanga such as pōwhiri and karakia through the lens of manaakitanga. You’ll leave this session with tools to help you practise manaakitanga in your business with care and respect.

4. Tapu & Noa

10 December 2025

Understand the concepts of tapu and noa and how they shape behaviour, guide decision-making, and influence everyday practices in te ao Māori. You will learn things like why Māori don’t sit on tables, why they have a cup of tea after a pōwhiri and how a rāhui works in practice.

5. Te Tiriti o Waitangi

11 February 2026

Unpack the differences between the texts of The Treaty of Waitangi, the historical context around its signing, and the enduring impact of those differences today. You will get a better understanding of how to build things like partnerships with Māori and work together to achieve our aspirations for the future.

6. Rangatiratanga

11 March 2026

A deep dive into the values that shape how Māori lead - how rangatiratanga is grounded in collective wellbeing, is long-term, and underpinned by tikanga. This includes all of the values discussed in our Let's Talk Tikanga sessions. Learn how rangatiratanga can add value to your business and support you to interact more confidently with Māori.

*If you have any questions or require accessibility assistance, please let us know by emailing admin@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.