Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei – For Us and Our Children After Us: Iwi Entity in the Post-Settlement World

Abstract

This thesis aims to gain a better understanding of iwi and their associated business entities in their post settlement phase and how they maintain their own kaupapa Māori.

The study examines the complex environment in which an iwi entity operates. This topic and environment has not been studied previously in academia and will therefore provide a unique insight from the study. The exploration was done through an in-depth analysis of a single organisational case study; the data collection method undertaken was in-depth interviews and document analysis.

The study found that the iwi entity has put specific strategies in place to ensure they maintained their kaupapa Māori. A focus was placed on how values and culture are transmitted through human resource practices of recruitment and induction. They did this through formal mechanisms, such as documentation and training, as well as informal mechanisms such as socialisation, history, and oral story telling. What was most unique as a finding was that traditional iwi values and methods were brought through into the contemporary business setting at the iwi entity.

Contributions from this study are made to the Māori business and Māori management literature, as well as Strategic Human Resource Management literature and organisational culture literature. In a practical sense there are implications for Māori organisations, iwi entities and non-Māori organisations.