In this Whāriki6 session, chartered accountant Jeremy Tauri (Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Manu) shared practical insights on how Māori business owners can make sense of their finances and use them as tools for growth. Speaking from years of experience working alongside Northland pakihi, Jeremy reminded attendees that finance is not just about balance sheets, it’s about understanding the story your numbers are telling you.

He encouraged owners to look beyond the fear of spreadsheets and see the value in regular check-ins with their financial systems. “When you understand your cash flow, you can make better decisions, plan ahead, and protect what you’ve built,” he shared.

Jeremy spoke about the importance of forecasting, tax planning, and knowing your break-even point, not as technical exercises but as ways to take control and create stability. He also acknowledged the unique challenges faced by Māori entrepreneurs, who often balance business success with community and whānau commitments.

“Your pakihi is more than a business, it’s part of your whakapapa. The better you understand it, the better you can grow it for the next generation.”

The session left participants with renewed confidence and practical steps to strengthen their financial foundations. By grounding financial literacy in kaupapa Māori values of whanaungatanga and kaitiakitanga, Jeremy reminded us that true success is not just measured in profit but in impact, the wellbeing of our people, our communities, and the generations yet to come.

Watch the full webinar in Te Hapori o Whāriki, our online community for Māori entrepreneurs and professionals.