An indigenous global knowledge exchange programme in the agri-food sector
Arama Kukutai (Ngāti Maniapoto, Tainui, Te Aupōuri) is a venture capitalist and CEO of vertical farming company, Plenty, based in California.
He is a US-based business leader who is championing more Māori to get into the science and technology sector by offering internships in America for graduates.
He has created Te Ara Pōtiki, alongside Francene Wineti (Te Ātihaunui-a-Pāpārangi, Ngāti Tuwharetoa, Ngāti Rangi, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa), and Dean Tilyard, founder of the Sprout Accelerator and partner at Finistere Aotearoa Fund.
Te Ara Pōtiki is a not-for-profit Charitable Trust whose sole purpose is to increase the number of Māori experienced and connected to international start-ups.
Through their global network and extensive experience in entrepreneurship, investment and science, they will place Māori candidates into world-leading agri-food companies in the United States and beyond.
Aotearoa’s history and prosperity is rooted in our primary sector heritage as Kaitiaki. Globally, agriculture is facing disruption from multiple directions including climate change, changing consumer preferences, supply chain and geopolitical stress.
Now more than ever, we need to understand global drivers to create a resilient future. We need smart, curious, globally connected Māori who will bring a new perspective and fresh energy. Find out more about the programme here.
Applications are now open for the first group of leaders in the 3-month global internship programme, to apply click here.
