Nau Mai Haere Mai
Welcome to Poutama Trust
Poutama is an independent charitable trust established in 1988 to provide business development services to Māori. Poutama strives to create an environment for successful business ventures and economic growth for Māori. Income generated from its investments enables Poutama to engage in activities and provide services that support and facilitate Māori business development.
Tā Mātou Kawepūrongo – Our Latest News
Free 1:1 coaching support for early-stage startups
Two new coaching services have recently launched both co-funded by Callaghan Innovation. Startup Aotearoa, and Startup Activator for Māori and Pacifica founders. Both services offer coaching, online resources and meet-ups. More about these and other free [...]
MWDI Programmes and Support
MWDI Business Loans MWDI provide loans to Māori women and their whānau to enable and assist them to enter into and commence business and/or to expand and restructure their existing businesses. The loans are [...]
Te Pā feature in Club Oenologique
The indigenous reimagining of wine in Aotearoa New Zealand In a recent article on the International Wine and Spirit Competition Club Oenologique's website, there is a thoughtful piece written by Chris Howard on how [...]
Chur Bol BBQ
Nick Smith - Ngāti Kahungunu Chur Bol BBQ was started by Nick Smith in 2022 initially as a food cart business. They provide catering for special occasions and they attend festivals and concerts selling [...]
Provincial Growth Fund Programme
Poutama was proud to partner with MBIE to deliver the Poutama ki te taumata: Accelerating Māori enterprise development programme
The programme utilised $5 million from the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) and made this pūtea/funding available to existing regional Pakihi Māori/Māori business across Aotearoa New Zealand.
The funding support was for capital investment to increase productivity, increase job numbers and allow businesses to invest in regional economic development initiatives like construction and infrastructure.
Given the economic impacts of COVID-19, the programme had a strong focus on supporting enterprises that created new jobs, and in turn positively contributed to local and regional community resilience.
Manaakitanga | Supporting Māori Business Projects
Clusters, Coalitions and Collectives
Te Pūtea Pakihi Māori | Māori Business Funding
The Business Development Investment (BDI) enables businesses to investigate innovative ideas to help consolidate and grow. The BDI can assist with the purchase of products and/or services that will help strengthen a business. BDI can also support business owners/employees to upskill.
Apply Online
Investment assistance for investigation, growth and trainingConditions and Criteria
To apply for Poutama investment you must meet the following conditions and tick the check box next to each.
E-Newsletter
Keep updated with the latest news and events related to Māori businessRead our e-newsletter
View the February 2018 – E-Newsletter