Te Matarau and Te Hapori Matihiko have made major changes in leadership and direction as they move under a new korowai to further their commitment to advancing Māori representation in the digital and tech sector.
Lee Timutimu, Founder of Te Matarau & Co-Founder of Te Hapori Matihiko, has tendered his resignation from these roles to focus on pursuing a new path that will see him file a treaty claim with the Waitangi Tribunal that seeks to highlight the digital inequities that impact our Māori communities.
Te Hapori Matihiko and Te Matarau are deeply proud of Lee and wrap their tautoko around him as he sets out on this new path.
In light of these changes, Te Matarau, Te Hapori Matihiko will now come together as one whānau under the korowai of Te Ao Matihiko, with a rangatahi partner joining alongside to tautoko rangatahi. The gifted name Te Ao Matihiko, the digital realm, represents the wide expanse of the digital world that our people inhabit.
This restructuring will enable a more focused approach to the respective areas of impact. Te Matarau will concentrate on policy and system change, Te Hapori Matihiko will focus on community engagement through events and learning sessions, and the rangatahi partner will be dedicated to empowering rangatahi by providing pathways and support.
Elle Archer has been unanimously voted in as the Executive Board Chair of the newly formed entity, and Katie Brown has been appointed as the Chief Executive. Both Elle and Katie express their gratitude for the opportunity to lead this new kaupapa.
This new structure will facilitate stronger collaboration, streamline input and funding opportunities, and ensure that Te Matarau, Te Hapori Matihiko, and the rangatahi partner can work together more effectively and cohesively to achieve their shared vision for Māori. Together, they remain resolute in their mission to increase Māori representation in the digital and tech industry, drive positive systemic changes for Māori, and offer support and inspiration to rangatahi as they embark on their journey in the field.
The success of this new waka relies on strong leadership and Te Ao Matihiko is in the process of appointing a board who will offer deep and wide experience to support the kaupapa. An announcement on the board will be made in the coming weeks.
Te Matarau, Te Hapori Matihiko, and now Te Ao Matihiko look forward to the opportunities and challenges ahead as they unite to make transformative changes and intergenerational impact for Māori in digital and tech.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Katie Brown, katie@socialgood.co.nz, 021 945 935
About Te Matarau and Te Hapori Matihiko
Te Matarau or The Māori Tech Association is a collective that provides its membership with networking and collaborative opportunities, as well as coordinating the efforts of Māori who are working in the technology sector. Te Matarau plays a strong advocacy and leadership role for its membership and aims to provide a safe environment for its members to share Mātauranga, information, expertise, and learnings, as well as regular opportunities for whakawhanaungatanga. Te Matarau has 363 (individual) members and has regularly held networking functions for its members since it was formed in 2021.
Te Hapori Matihiko was established in 2022 as part of MBIE’s Māori Innovation Fund. With over 461 members, it runs monthly Mātauranga sessions for hapori members to learn and delivered the first ever Matihiko Awards in 2023. The awards celebrate Māori excellence in digital and tech and act as a way to profile inspirational leaders for rangatahi.
