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The iwi was named Māori Business of the Year at the Aotearoa NZ Māori Business Leaders awards.
Awards organiser Manuka Henare from Auckland University’s Mira Szaszy Research Centre for Māori and Pacific economic development says the programmes it put together after the Canterbury earthquakes were an example of strong social accountability that enhanced the quality of life for Māori, Pacific and other indigenous peoples.
These include its innovative Māori apprenticeship scheme He Toki ki te Rika, a partnership with Christchurch Polytechnic and Hawkins Construction which has trained more than 350 Māori workers.
There is also an authentication scheme to identify and certify pounamu, saying where it came from and who carved it.
Dr Henare says the scheme offers tourists and New Zealanders peace of mind that what they’ve bought as a souvenir or gift is not made in China or carved from raw stone imported from overseas.
Copyright © 2013, Uma Broadcasting Ltd
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