Te Au Rangahau (TAR) was born in 2003, when a collective of Māori staff within Massey’s College of Business (Te Rangiwhenua) united under one kaupapa.
The aim was to enhance the wairua and wawata of Māori across three Massey campuses (in Manawatū, Wellington and Albany) by combining their skills, knowledge and networks.
This small but passionate group strived to establish a centre to conduct, contribute and disseminate knowledge that was relevant to Māori business and Māori in organisational settings.
Hence, the seed was sown. Te Au Rangahau, The Pathway to Māori Research in Business, was established and provided a base for staff, students and stakeholders in ‘Māori business’ to make a contribution, first and foremost to Māori society but also to Massey University, and the business world.
Through TAR, new relationships between Māori staff and other research centres were successfully brokered, including those with the Federation of Māori Authorities, Poutama Trust, and marae committees.
Before long, TAR expanded its role to support and mentor Māori staff in their career development, facilitate postgraduate research that impacted Māori, and hold te reo writing workshops for Massey staff and students.
In 2013, Massey University hosted Te Pae Roa 2040: Three decades of Māori Development 1984-2013. This was a nationally-significant Māori conference aimed at considering pathways for Māori development into the future.
Summarising the conference, Sir Mason Durie suggested that the future success of Māori depends on developing alliances with like-minded people who share a sense of purpose while maintaining their identity and autonomy.
The conference spurred a profound shift in our vision. The decision was made to expand our focus beyond research to become a specialist centre that incorporates issues not only pertinent to Māori business but also to Māori leadership.
Today, as a specialist centre, TAR engages in teaching, learning and community engagement initiatives as well as research. This broader focus has created greater opportunities for us to contribute to Māori advancement; through the Māori economy, Māori business in the broadest sense, and Māori leadership in a variety of organisational settings and contexts.
Te Au Rangahau Identity
Our name
Te Au Rangahau translates to ‘The Pathway to Māori Research in Business’.
Our logo
Our aim is to advance business and leadership knowledge that benefits the Māori economy. With this whakaaro (intention) in mind, the tohu (symbol) represents hinengaro (consciousness), much like neurons in the brain transmitting different pieces of information.
The puhoro and koru patterns signify fast-transmitting neurons and cells zapping through the brain, while the koru signifies new learning.