Nau mai, haere mai ki
Te Matarau a Māui
Te Matarau a Māui is the Māori economic development agency for
Te Upoko o te Ika (the greater Wellington region). We were established to activate a shared strategy developed with and for mana whenua, mātāwaka, Māori business networks, rangatahi, and community partners.
We deliver high-impact initiatives that advance Māori enterprise, leadership, innovation, and wellbeing — while also supporting regional goals articulated in the Wellington Regional Economic Development Plan (REDP) and Te Whāriki, GWRC’s Māori Outcomes Framework.
.avif)
Tena koe
Te Upoko o te Ika
Te Ūpoko o Te Ika stretches from the northern reaches of the Wairarapa near Pūkaha Mount Bruce and the Rangitīkei boundary, down through the Tararua and Remutaka ranges, encompassing the Kāpiti Coast, Porirua, Hutt Valley, Wellington City, and the southern Wairarapa. It is bound by the western coastline from Ōtaki to Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington Harbour) and extends eastward across fertile plains to the Pacific coast near Matakitaki-a-Kupe (Cape Palliser).
It is a place where whakapapa, whenua, and moana converge—rich in mātauranga and ancestral histories. As both a place of grounding and movement, Te Ūpoko o Te Ika is where the aspirations of whānau, hapū, and iwi continue to shape the future of cultural identity and the Māori economy.
Our history
Te Matarau a Māui emerged from a call by the Ara Tahi Forum—a collective of mana whenua leaders from across the Greater Wellington region who identified the need for a cohesive, region- wide strategy to support the economic aspirations of all Māori within the rohe.
What guides us
Whai Pūkenga
Growing capability focusing on businesses and pathways for rangatahi
Whai Rawa
Integrating physical infrastructure, cultural values, digital capability, and community-driven aspirations for pūāwaitanga
Whai Mana
Empowering a new generation of Māori business leaders, grounded in tikanga and supported by whānau
Whai Kaha Hapori
Offering a culturally safe, supportive space for whakawhanaungatanga and hauora
Kei hea tō kāinga?
Where do you live?
Te Whanganui a Tara surrounds the harbour and extends across the surrounding hills and urban areas. It is a densely populated region shaped by its waterfront, transport connections, and role as a centre of government, business, and culture.
Te Awakairangi follows the course of the river from the rugged gorge to the fertile floodplains. It is a diverse landscape defined by its industrial heritage, expansive green spaces, and interconnected residential communities, serving as a vital corridor for commerce and recreation within the regional heartland.
Porirua is a harbour city north of Wellington, bordered by hills and connected communities. The area is known for its strong local identity, diverse neighbourhoods, and close relationship to the harbour and surrounding natural spaces.
Kāpiti and Horowhenua stretch along the western coastline, from Kāpiti Island through coastal towns, plains, and river systems. The region combines growing population centres with productive land, transport links, and access to the coast.
Wairarapa lies east of the Remutaka Ranges, characterised by wide plains, river valleys, and a rugged coastline. The region is known for agriculture, small towns, and strong connections between rural landscapes and local communities.
Have a cup of tea with us
Send us a message and we'll be in touch.
He aha te take i tae mai ai koe?
What brings you here?
Help with my business
We have support available if you're running a business in Te Ūpoko o Te Ika. Have a look at our free resources and then sign up for our tuakana programe Te Aka Pakihi.
Learn about Te Matarau
We are delivering a coordinated portfolio of high-impact, kaupapa Māori-led initiatives that give practical effect to our regional strategy.
Find an event
Whether you're in business, job hunting, or keen to connect, we run adn support events that bring the Māori community in Te Ūpoko o Te Ika together. Come along and get involved.
Mahia te kaheru matarau!
Utilise the spade of a hundred blades!
Te Matarau exists to enable Māori-led innovation across digital, business, and environmental domains. It supports a next generation of Māori entrepreneurs and embeds mātauranga Māori in the future economy.