Oyster Workshops' Alumni Summit Celebrates Māori & Pacific Business Empowerment, Magic and Success

Waiheke Island, Saturday, 8 July 2023

In a celebration of all that is success and empowerment in the creative and arts space, the Tau ‘Au 2023 Alumni Summit was held on the picturesque Waiheke Island this weekend. The 3-day event brought together alumnae, business leaders, and aspiring entrepreneurs creating a warm space for collective exploration of what it means to bring all of who we are, as Indigenous, to business.

The Alumni Summit, organized by the renowned Oyster Workshop team, showcased the achievements and experiences of remarkable entrepreneurs from our Indigenous creative industries, but more so it provided an opportunity for them to share stories, wisdom, and to recognize how our world views are unique, compelling, and especially important when it comes to entering the North Asian and Latin American markets.

The summit provided a unique opportunity for over 30 wonderful Māori & Pacific business owners to network, exchange ideas, and form meaningful connections. Attendees hailed from a wide range of backgrounds, and cut across many sectors, including creative, education, finance, technology, and much more, showcasing the breadth of talent and expertise present at the event.

The presenters, from international marketing agency UMS, Auckland University & The CAPES group, ran high level, fast paced, informative masterclasses on everything from social media in China to engaging the Latin American market. Eye-opening topics for many of our businesses currently looking to move and shake in those territories.

Setting the tone for the event, was day-2 afternoon keynote speaker, the notable Dr. Hinemoa Elder, a Waiheke local, a close friend of the Alumni, a prominent figure in the Indigenous health industry and author to two awesome pukapuka 'Aroha and Wawata'. Dr Elder underscored the importance of MAGIC and belief and how we bring more of both in to our lives. She highlighted what magic is for us as a collective peoples and the cultural practices and self-belief we need to challenge the status quo, using mātauranga magic for economic development in business.

Weaved generously across the summit, a series of engaging discussions and group sessions covering topics such as the luxury product marketing, navigating social media differences between Aotearoa (aka our humble posts) to China's (multiple images that demonstrate high valued affection for an item). Our Manahautu, Trina Tamati, who was honoured to be invited as guest today. Impressed by the first speaker of the day, Guy Thompson from U.M.S, a marketing agency based in China, Australia and Aotearoa. Thompson sent a poignant reminder to all, that our rich cultural heritage is in fact our super power, and our products are seen by the Chinese in particular, as "exotic - the Switzerland of the South", said Thompson.

Adding an element of celebration, the summit team spoiled each attendee with beautiful accommodation and personal gift boxes filled with international treats. The googies were a small way of recognizing each persons contribution to the Māori and Pacific business community.

The Oyster Workshop #tauau23 Alumni Summit also allowed guests to work through real life scenarios for their businesses with opportunities to work on their Elevator Pitch 'Toolbox' - various ways to hone their vision, their oneness statement and of course their elevator pitch.

The event will conclude tonight with a beautiful dinner, followed by a reflection session with Alumni members tomorrow and closing the event will be messages of inspiration from the organisers, Kim and Sarah. All will likely stress the need for continued dialogue and action in a hope of addressing growth and creating a more inclusive business landscape.

The Alumni Summit on Waiheke Island undoubtedly provided an invaluable platform for pakihi owners to connect, learn, and be inspired. Through the celebration of achievements, the sharing of expertise, and the fostering of connections, this event contributed significantly to the advancement of Indigenous operators in business and the promotion of continued equality in the Western business world. No doubt, when the attendees depart the summit, tomorrow, they will be carrying with them a renewed sense of inspiration, empowerment, and the knowledge that they are part of a growing network of ambitious and talented alumni ready to make their mark on the global world stage.

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