Māori & Pasifika at EY New Zealand

In EY New Zealand, we have Tahi, a standalone member firm of EY, that supports Māori organisations, government and businesses to accelerate success and produce meaningful outcomes through sustainable change for Māori people.  Founded in 2014, Tahi was born from a desire within EY to transform the professional advisor experience for the Māori market. 

Tahi is guided by our tikanga (values) of whakarongo 

(we listen), manaakitia (we support) and hāpaitia (we uplift). 

We strive to be the trusted professional advisor for kaupapa Māori by having an exceptional team delivering quality work that produces meaningful outcomes. EY Tahi also coordinate the informal network for Māori staff.

Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori

In 2023, the New Zealand offices recognised Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori (Māori language week) with a series of activations and sessions designed to increase the use of Te Reo Māori in everyday life and educate our people on all aspects of Te Ao Māori. This included several sessions on pronunciation, educational sessions and in-person events.

Keeping it Reo!

Following on from Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori 2022, a number te reo Māori sessions called Keeping it Reo! will run virtually and in-person across all New Zealand offices. Learning outcomes include: basics of tikanga (Māori customs and protocols), correct pronunciation, basic greetings and introductions, grammar and sentence structure, waiata (song) and karakia (chant/prayer).

Matariki

New Zealand offices celebrate Matariki (Māori New Year). Celebrations have been held since 2019. In 2023  several activations took place during the celebration week of Matariki. This included , waiata sessions, print and digital resources, and in-person events learning about Matariki. 

Pōwhiri & mihi whakatau

The new EY NZ Māori cultural capability lead has begun the implementation of tikanga Māori (Māori customs and protocols) into EY practice across the firm. This includes the facilitation of pōwhiri or mihi whakatau (traditional Māori welcome). A Pōwhiri and mihi whakatau is a culturally appropriate way of welcoming manuhiri (visitors) by tangata whenua (home people e.g. EY people) and removes the tapu (sacredness) surrounding manuhiri so that they become one with EY people. This also includes applying Māori culture to the new partner ceremonies known as Eke Poutama, which involves elements of pōwhiri and mihi whaktau.

We have a Māori (Tuia!) and Pasifika network (Tangata) within the EY New Zealand practice.