Te Kahukura Boynton

I am applying for this grant because my moemoea is to host a rangatahi specific kaupapa to inspire and impact our rangatahi to dream big, take radical action and connect with likeminded Maori.

Te Kahukura’s moemoeā…

In June 2022, my best-selling pukapuka Maori Millionaire, a beginner’s guide to building better money habits launched. With it came a nationwide book tour that I have started and plan on continuing over the next 9 months (12 total). Each event has hosted 60+ rangatahi and pakeke and taken them through my ‘book tour workshop’ which entails a book reading, 5 key tangible steps whanau can take to build better money habits + time for Q+A. Each event lasts 2 hours and also involves kai and networking. We’ve been to Ōpōtiki, Tokoroa and Christchurch – partnering with iwi to co-host these events.

My aspiration for this book tour event will be very similar to the other events, but rangatahi exclusive. I have already pledged support from Waikato-Tainui to support this kaupapa with a venue, catering, and comms to get attendees. The putea I am applying for here will cover:

– my time preparing, planning and co-hosting the event with the iwi
– my costs associated with going – transportation specifically.
– 60x books to give away to rangatahi at the event

Without funding like this, these events are unsustainable.

What were the major outcomes of this kaupapa? 

The key outcome of the project was creating an inclusive space where rangatahi Māori and their whānau could come together to learn, connect, and engage in conversations about financial wellbeing and future opportunities.

Because the event was held during the school holidays, attendance extended beyond rangatahi alone. Whānau members, tamariki, and even pēpi were present, creating a multi generational learning environment that reflected the reality of our communities. This was particularly important as financial knowledge is often shared within whānau, and having different generations present allowed those conversations to continue beyond the event itself.

Another key outcome was ensuring participants left with tangible resources to support their learning. Sixty copies of Māori Millionaire were gifted to attendees, enabling them to continue developing their knowledge and share those learnings with others in their households and communities.

These outcomes were strongly aligned with the project’s objectives. The goal was not only to provide information, but to create connection, spark meaningful conversations, and make learning accessible in a way that felt welcoming and relevant to Māori. The strong attendance, whānau participation, and positive engagement throughout the event demonstrated that these objectives were successfully achieved.

What were some of the challenges your kaupapa faced during its implementation?

There were no challenges

How did this kaupapa benefit from the Pou Herenga Tangata Award? 

The funding was essential to the success of the project and enabled it to take place. Without this support, the event would not have been possible to deliver in the way it was.

The funding helped remove financial barriers associated with hosting a community event, allowing us to focus on creating an accessible and meaningful experience for rangatahi and whānau. It contributed to the resources and support required to bring people together, provide a welcoming environment, and ensure attendees could participate free of charge.

Importantly, the funding allowed the kaupapa to reach people who may not otherwise have had access to financial education resources or events of this nature. By supporting the delivery of the Rotorua event and the distribution of 60 free books, the funding helped create lasting value that extended beyond the day itself.

More broadly, the funding demonstrated trust in rangatahi leadership and community driven solutions. It enabled an idea to become a reality and created an opportunity to bring together rangatahi, whānau, and community organisations around a shared goal of learning, connection, and empowerment.

What are your future plans for this kaupapa?

I would love to continue this kaupapa if further funding and support become available. The positive response from attendees reinforced that there is a strong demand for accessible, culturally relevant financial education and personal development opportunities for rangatahi Māori and their whānau.

My hope is to expand the reach of these events so that more communities across Aotearoa can benefit from them. In the future, I would like to provide more free resources, reach more rangatahi, and create additional opportunities for learning, connection, and whakawhanaungatanga within communities.

Long term, my vision is to help normalise conversations about money, wealth creation, and self determination within Māori communities. By equipping rangatahi with knowledge, confidence, and practical tools, I hope to contribute to a future where more Māori feel empowered to pursue their goals, make informed financial decisions, and create positive outcomes for themselves, their whānau, and future generations.

While this project was one event, I see it as part of a much larger kaupapa of increasing financial capability, strengthening community connections, and supporting rangatahi leadership throughout Aotearoa.