After being left with more questions than answers when asked ‘what is a Māori entrepreneur?’ and with an essay due next week I have been attempting to decipher the limited literature available on this kaupapa. I have found the theories relating to indigenous entrepreneurship synonymous to those on Māori entrepreneurship.
Lindsay (2022) asserts indigenous entrepreneurship has both economic and non-economic intentions and is described “in terms of creating, managing and developing new ventures by indigenous people for the benefit of indigenous people”. On the topic of Kaupapa Māori entrepreneurship, Henry describes it as ‘social entrepreneurship’, in that it is entrepreneurial activity, but it is underpinned by social objectives to improve wealth and well-being for the community, rather than just the individual (Henry, 2007). Both definitions drawing connection to entrepreneurial approaches aligned with collectivism which focuses on community, rather than one that focuses on individualism.
I hadn’t previously been exposed to the Mauipreneur model in the context of entrepreneurship however it completely made sense why Māui, an ancestor hero and demi-god would be used as an exemplar for an entrepreneurial role model. Māui has been described as a quick-witted trickster, an adventurer, wise, courageous, and mischievous. He had also been described as deceitful, devious, and reckless (Keelan et al., n.d.). All of which align with the traits described by Sexton & Bowman for an entrepreneur including an enjoyment for risk-taking, a preference for autonomy, resist conformity and a willingness to accept and adapt readily to change (Sexton & Bowman, 1985). I have been reminded through the Mauipreneur model that Māori oratory is steeped in metaphors expressive of our dreams and aspirations and why deviating from the literal meaning of a word or phrase can often enhance understanding.
Maori Entrepreneurship 