Why We Need Iwi at the Centre. - Day 2.

7 May

If you want to restore harakeke properly — restore the land, the soil, the ecosystems it belongs to — you go straight to the kaitiaki. Iwi hold generations of knowledge on how to care for these plants, when to harvest, how to plant, and how to bring the whenua back to life. They’re not just part of the solution — they are the solution. It's a no-brainer. You're not just respecting tikanga — you're making the smartest, most cost-effective choice. Why train someone from scratch when the experts are already here? Employ iwi, empower the communities who’ve always held this knowledge. That’s how we build something that lasts.

🛑 DISCLAIMER
This is for entertainment purposes only.
But hypothetically...
If YOU were running the show at your iwi headquarters — leading the charge — what would YOU do to rebuild the Harakeke economy from the roots up?

This is what I would do...

🌿 Iwi-Led Harakeke Economy: 10-Step Action Plan

1. Reclaim and Restore Pā Harakeke

Identify traditional pā harakeke sites across rohe.
Map them, protect them, and cultivate tailored varieties for weaving, fibre, and industry use.
Engage kaitiaki and tohunga to guide planting with tikanga and whakapapa.

2. Establish Marae-Based Fibre Hubs

Upgrade or build dedicated whare muka (processing spaces) on marae.
These become local training centres and production bases — with whānau employment and intergenerational knowledge transfer.

3. Fund the Whare Pora

Pay master weavers to teach, pass on mātauranga, and lead product innovation.
Support their leadership in developing national weaving standards and quality assurance systems.

4. Create Iwi Trading Enterprises

Form iwi-owned harakeke collectives to manage supply chains — from cultivation to export.
Build branded product lines (like muka textiles, wellness products, and eco-packaging) under iwi provenance.

5. Invest in Portable Processing Tech

Share and co-own mobile mills between marae — reducing costs and building local capacity.
Focus on sustainable tech that maintains fibre integrity and supports future growth.

6. Launch Apprenticeships + Rangatahi Incubators

Offer paid training pathways in weaving, product design, bio-tech, and business.
Host rangatahi wānanga focused on entrepreneurship, mātauranga Māori, and innovation.

7. Activate Iwi IP + Brand Protection

Support hapū/iwi to register intellectual property and provenance rights.
Build collective protections around designs, techniques, and branding for international markets.

8. Connect with Global Markets on Our Terms

Lead trade delegations, partner with Māori exporters, and establish iwi-to-iwi trade networks.
Sell muka-based products with our stories, not just as commodities.

9. Develop Eco-Tourism + Cultural Storytelling

Build experiences around harakeke harvesting, weaving workshops, and healing traditions.
Use storytelling (including digital media, exhibitions, and podcasts) to bring this legacy alive for the world.

10. Create an Iwi-Led Investment Fund