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
Unlocking opportunity: New research identifies high-potential pathways for Māori and Pasifika construction businesses
ConCOVE Tūhura, Amotai, and Poutama Trust have released research identifying four key growth opportunities for Māori and Pasifika-owned businesses in the construction sector. The report, titled "Future focussed skills: growth opportunities for Māori and [...]
Budget 2025 offers mixed news for Māori businesses and SMEs
While the Tōnui Māori plan receives $40.2m a year to focus on addressing longstanding barriers to Māori economic development such as infrastructure gaps, limited export pathways, and restrictive land law. Māori Education gains include [...]
He Ara Whakahihiko Capability Fund
A new fund, He Ara Whakahihiko, will open on 20 August 2025 to back Māori-led science and innovation that delivers commercial outcomes. It replaces older funding streams with two targeted options: one for short-term, [...]
Big changes are coming to WorkSafe
From late 2025, Worksafe will shift it's focus from broad enforcement to supporting businesses with practical, risk-based guidance - especially on critical risks that could cause serious harm. With Māori having a 30% higher [...]
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