Weaving the future together.

Like the interwoven threads of a whāriki, the strength of Aotearoa lies in our diverse stories and cultures and how they intertwine to create something greater than the sum of our parts.

Beyond 2040 is a moment in time – an opportunity to dream big and imagine a society that honours our past while boldly reimagining what we can become together and setting the path for the next 200 years.

Our recently completed Aotearoa Futures Barometer clearly shows that there is no other country in the world they would rather live. Yet daily we hear the statistics in the media about the number of young people leaving New Zealand for brighter opportunities abroad. This lends us to ask the question: what would it take for our young people to want to live, return and contribute to our collective future.

Āwhina McGlinchey and Dr Eruera Tarena are the co-directors of Tokona te Raki (TTR).

TTR is a social innovation lab, designed to address complex social problems through collaboration, experimentation, and the development of innovative solutions and indigenous frameworks. As a learning organisation, TTR embeds developmental evaluation into all its mahi to ensure the delivery of the best outcomes. Over the past three years, TTR has been supporting Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu with the design of Mō Kā Uri, our collective tribal vision for the future. A key part of this mahi has been capturing the dreams and aspirations of whānau.

From an economist who was Māori to a Māori economist. 

His research has been widely supported by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Te Apārangi Royal Society, Health Research Council of New Zealand, and Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga. Through collaboration with these organizations, he is helping to invigorate Māori economics and contribute to the long-term success of Māori in business and economics. 

Dan Te Whenua Walker (Tangahoe, Ngāti Ruanui, Ngā Ruahinerangi, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa, Te Ātiawa, Maniapoto, Tūhourangi and Pākehā) is Global Co-Chair of Indigenous at Microsoft, championing Indigenous empowerment and raising the Indigenous voice in technology worldwide. With a strong background in IT and business development, he is passionate about tech as a driver of Māori and Pasifika economic growth. Dan is also Deputy Chair of NZ Māori Tourism and a recipient of the Young Māori Business Leader and UoA 40 Under 40 awards.

Tirohia ki Tua 
Tirohia ki Tua encourages attendees to reflect on their current environment and plan for future Māori workforce aspirations. This session promotes proactive thinking and collective action for future growth and excellence. 

Letter to My Mokopuna 
Participants will write a letter to their future mokopuna, reflecting on their hopes, values, and legacy. This exercise fosters connection to long-term aspirations and cultural identity, sharing wisdom for a thriving future.

Bridget (Te Whakatōhea) is Transformation Manager for Workforce Development Council Ringa Hora Services. Bridget and her team take Tuia 2025 to centres across the motu, bringing together business leaders, partners, organisations, whānau and hapori to share knowledge and pathways for future growth and opportunity. KUMA is proud to work alongside Bridget and her team.