Amy McLean – Ngāti Māhanga, Waikato
Amy is an experienced Professional Coach and Facilitator, a māmā, and the founder of Te Kāinga Wāhine, a support organisation for wāhine Māori in business and leadership.
Over the past six years she has used her coaching practice and experience working with Pakihi Māori across various levels, to build a reputation for supporting wāhine Māori in their business and leadership development.
Te Kāinga Wāhine was launched in 2023, with a six month business development programme, funded by Te Puni Kōkiri through the Cadetship Initiative.
At the end of 2023, they pivoted the business model to be able to support more wāhine, and opened Te Kāinga Wāhine membership.
Te Kāinga Wāhine membership is a space for wāhine Māori to connect, learn and grow together. They provide wraparound support and capability development that wāhine can access and engage in.
They do this through workshops, peer mentoring kōrero groups, access to 1:1 coaching, an online community and events. They provide opportunities for networking, collaboration, and impacting one another’s successes.
Based in Te Awamutu the business operates predominantly online. Since COVID, Amy had to shift most of her coaching practice and facilitation mahi online. The majority of the business has stayed that way, mostly because they can reach a larger audience by working online.
Amy has a passion for working with people kanohi ki te kanohi (face to face), and has plans to take a series of workshops around Aotearoa this year.
Amy says, “We believe wāhine are the best leaders in determining their success. Therefore we don’t set out expectations of where they need to go, but rather support their own vision and mission in life, whatever that looks like. Don’t get me wrong though – we’re going to stretch them to their full potential.”
“Te Kāinga Wāhine is a place of belonging, where you can be inspired by and connected to like-hearted wāhine who are on a mission too. Accessing support from wāhine Māori who get it is incredibly powerful.”
Te Kāinga Wāhine is not just for wāhine in business. They support wāhine who are leaders of businesses, within businesses, within communities, or within whānau. It doesn’t matter what stage or sector you are in, everyone are welcome.
This also means if you have wāhine Māori within your organisation you are looking to support, a membership with Te Kāinga Wāhine is a great investment in their professional development. Click here for information on how to become a member.
For further information check out their social media pages on Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn.
Me aro koe ki te hā o Hine-ahu-one | Pay heed to the dignity and power of wāhine
