After more than a quarter-century fighting to secure a place for Māori in Aotearoa’s telecommunications landscape, Antony Royal is preparing to step down as founding chief executive of Māori-owned technology group Tū Ātea.
Royal’s departure marks the end of a significant chapter for an organisation that has grown from its roots in Māori spectrum advocacy into a substantial commercial telecommunications and technology operation.
For 26 years, Royal has advocated for Māori interests in radio spectrum, including playing a central role in negotiations with the Crown that helped create the foundations for Tū Ātea.
Those negotiations were about more than access to frequencies.
Spectrum is the invisible infrastructure behind mobile networks and wireless technologies, making Māori participation and ownership in the sector an important question of economic development, rangatiratanga and ensuring Māori are not left behind as technology evolves.
Under Royal’s leadership, Tū Ātea has grown from an organisation of just three staff to more than 150 people.
The business is now tracking towards more than $50 million in annual revenue, has around $100 million in assets and has completed four acquisitions as it expands its commercial footprint.
Among its major achievements has been the launch of Aotearoa’s first Māori-built commercial private 5G network, demonstrating how the spectrum secured through years of advocacy can be transformed into real technological and economic opportunities.
The growth also signals a wider shift taking place across the Māori economy.
Iwi and Māori organisations are increasingly moving beyond being consumers of digital technology towards becoming owners, investors, developers and decision-makers in the infrastructure that will underpin the future economy.
For Royal, the leadership change is intended to be a generational transition rather than an ending.
Tū Ātea is moving into another phase of commercial growth, and handing leadership to the next generation will be part of ensuring the organisation continues developing beyond those who established it.
Royal will also remain deeply connected to the kaupapa.
He will continue advocating for Māori interests as Co-Convenor of the Māori Spectrum Working Group, maintaining his involvement in an issue that has defined much of his professional life.
He also continues his leadership responsibilities as Chair of Ngāti Tamaterā.
The next challenge for Tū Ātea will be turning the gains achieved through spectrum settlements, acquisitions and commercial growth into enduring benefits for Māori.
That includes developing Māori capability in technology, creating high-value employment for rangatahi and ensuring Māori have a meaningful stake in emerging industries including 5G, connectivity and the wider digital economy.
Royal leaves the chief executive’s office having helped move the kaupapa from fighting for Māori access to spectrum to building a Māori-owned commercial technology enterprise around it.
After 26 years, the baton is being passed — but the kaupapa of Māori ownership and rangatiratanga in Aotearoa’s digital future continues.
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