Female entrepreneurs are gaining knowledge and valuable insight from international speakers at the Wahine Māori Entrepreneurs Conference in Tauranga this week.
Women working together to help shape the future was the intent behind Dr Michelle Evans' presentation. She's a senior lecturer at Charles Sturt University and spoke via video conference from Bathurst.
Hinemaua Rikirangi (Ngāti Ranginui, Tauranga Moana) says, "What are the pathways in business and what other pathways are there for us to support and grow our communities?"
This is day two of the conference and some have found the presentations very inspirational.
Kellie Jessup (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Ngāti Mihiroa) says, "My nanny Pukepuke Tangiora had a moemoeā and she always claimed that her whenua was ours never sell it so it's important for me to inspire."
Lisa Tuhi (Ngāti Hinemanu) believes, "We need to invest into our tamariki who can just sit at a table and design and create."
A big part of the conference was the focus on Māori youth and the role they will play in the future.
Networking has been the biggest winner at this conference with the promise to stay in touch.