Māori Climate Innovators Business Growth Pakihi Application Form

Access to capital

Finance 101

Environmental certifications

Māori Climate Innovators Business Growth Pakihi Application Form

Kia ora rā! Nau mai, haere mai ki tēnei kaupapa, nō mātou te whiwhinga nui i āu kupu whakamōhio mai. Please complete the form below so we can support your pakihi as best we can, with your strengths and goals in mind. Ka noho tapu ō kōrero, tō mana tauārai hoki. All information is strictly confidential and kept only in accordance to the privacy act.
Please allow 10-15 minutes to complete
Ko wai mātou who are we?

The Māori Climate Innovators Business Growth Programme has been developed by Climate Connect Aotearoa, a climate innovation hub established by Auckland Council. The programme will be hosted at Te Puna Creative Quarter, in Te Kōpua Henderson, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
Te Kaupapa tuatahi: Business Growth Programme - Māori Climate Innovators

This kaupapa Māori programme supports Māori-owned (50%+) climate innovation businesses that are ready to scale or grow. We’re looking for innovations with a connection to mātauranga Māori, with climate solutions that help deliver the goals of Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan. For example, this could include, but is not limited to; the application of mātauranga Māori in climate change responses, nature-based solutions, emissions reduction, circularity, tech, cleantech, energy, built environment, moana, whenua, awa and others! Ideally you are Tāmaki Makaurau based, but we would love to see expressions of interest from those that show commitment to the kaupapa, however you must be willing to attend the in person masterclasses in Te Kōpua Henderson, Tāmaki Makaurau

Those selected for the programme will receive:

· Whakawhanaungatanga with other pakihi in the programme.

· Expert-led masterclasses (determined by demand), from:
- Brand
- Intellectual Property/Legal (IP)
- Access to capital
- Finance 101
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Environmental certifications
Te Kaupapa tuarua: Getting Under the Hood

In May 2026, following the masterclasses, you will have the opportunity to express your interest in the next stage of the programme. The next stage will include:

· 1:1's (following a brief EOI) with experts to:

- Understand your business and goals further;
- Debrief after the masterclasses;
- Ask questions.

· An invitation to pitch in front of a panel for growth and development funding drawing on learnings from your masterclasses.
Ngā hua, programme value

The programme is fully funded by Auckland Council and delivered by mātanga in brand, IP, access to capital, finance, AI and environmental certifications to help take your business to the next level. We back kaupapa Māori businesses ready to grow, lead, and innovate.

Participants will also develop their own pitch for growth and development funding based on learnings from the masterclasses.
Wātaka, time commitment

Time: Approximately 20-25 hours of your time (a mix of in-person & online) will be spread across the programme over a 12-week period (between March 2026 and May 2026).

The time commitment will depend on the number of masterclasses you select. Each masterclass will be approximately 4 hours long and some will be in person, so please consider this time commitment and travel time when selecting masterclasses.

Location: Te Puna Creative Hub whare will host us throughout the 12 weeks. It is essential you are able to attend the in-person hui, so please check the location: 8/14 Henderson Valley Road, Henderson, Auckland, 0612.

https://aucklandeconomicdevelopment.com/te-puna-creative/te-puna-creative-hub

Detailed timings and in-person days are outlined in the following section.

Reporting: You will be required to report/self-evalulate and complete a survey after the programme.
Pakihi: Business Name*
Ingoa: Contact Person*
Īmera: Contact Email*
kiaora@kiaora.com
Is your business at least 50% Māori owned?*
Pae pāpāho pāpori: Business Website or Social Media Links
Wāhi mahi: Business Address*
Nama Pakihi: NZ Business Number (NZBN), if none write none.*
Tō mahi: Business Product or Service*
How does your business solve a climate and/or environmental challenge?*
Te ao Māori: What role does te ao Māori play in your business model?*
Kā rua

Whāinga, aspirations & readiness
Do you already have goals for developing your business? If so, please share your goals. (If none, write none)*
What are the biggest challenges your pakihi is facing right now? (If none, write none)*
e.g. your biggest barrier when it comes to accessing capital
Hōtaka: Programme

These are the programme areas, we will be providing the masterclasses based on demand. Please rank in order of priority the masterclasses that would benefit you and your pakihi the most.

Eg. If you rank Brand '1', please do not rank any of the other masterclasses with a '1'. If you rank IP/Legal as '2', fill out '2' and so on. Please do not score the same number more than once.

Please rank the masterclasses from most beneficial to least (most = 1, least = 6)*

Are there any masterclass you do not wish to attend?*
Ka toru

Programme fit and time.
Wātaka, time commitment continued (subject to change)

Monday 19th January – Expressions of Interest (EOI) close, 5pm.

Monday 2nd March – Pakihi notified of outcome.

Monday 9th March – Pre-masterclass survey sent out to pakihi.

Thursday 26th March - Whakawhanaungatanga launch event at Te Puna Creative Quarter, Te Kōpua Henderson.

Thursday 23rd April - 2 x masterclasses at Te Puna Creative Quarter (in-person). All day.

Friday 24th April – 1 x masterclass (online).

Thursday 7th May – 2 x masterclasses at Te Puna Creative Quarter (in-person). All day.

Friday 8th May – 1 x masterclass (online).

Week of 18th May - Feedback forms due and Expression of Interest (EOI) opens for '1:1 deep dive' with masterclass experts (open for 4 weeks).

Week of 25th May – Wrap whanaungatanga part 1

The time commitment will depend on the number of masterclasses you select. Each masterclass will be approximately 4 hours long and some will be in person, so please consider this time commitment and travel time when selecting masterclasses.
Are you able to participate in key dates?*
If you answered 'No' above, what dates work for you?
Is there anything you’d like us to know to support you with during the programme?
Ka whā

The following information helps us understand your pakihi better to determine if cohorts are required to better cater content to business size. We would like to reiterate that this information will be strictly confidential and not shared beyond the project team who are reviewing the Expressions of Interest.
What types of capital or funding have you considered or received (tick all that apply)

Poutama TrustTe Puni KōkiriIwi or Hapū grantsMana whenua partnershipGovernment grantsCouncil or Local Board fundingFoundation NorthOther philanthropicSponsorshipWhānau or friendsBank loan or overdraftLottery or social grantInvestor or angel investmentRevenue only (self-funded)Other (please name)
Other comments
In the last year, did your pakihi earn regular income or revenue?*
If yes or sometimes, please specify what your average monthly revenue was in the last year

less than $5,000$5,000 - $10,000$10,000 - $25,000Over $25,000Prefer not to say
How many kaimahi (staff or contractors) have worked in your pakihi in the last year?*

Just me2-56-10Over 10
Have you ever applied for Poutama Trust funding or other matched funding?*

NoDidn't know about this optionYes - please specify
If answered yes - please specify*
By submitting this form, I consent to Climate Connect Aotearoa and Te Puna collecting and storing my details to receive future updates about Climate Connect Aotearoa and Te Puna. My information will be protected in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020 and handled with care, respect and integrity, especially where it relates to mana motuhake.**

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