What does your job involve?
My role is to identify where the commercialisation of University research overlaps with Māori values or interests and improve ʼһ’ ability to respond to these links.
My job title, Poutaki Hononga, means ‘relationship facilitator’ and I work to build and strengthen relationships within the Māori commercialisation process at ʼһ.
For example, we might have a particular piece of technology that has some affinity to Māori, whether that be Māori team members, a social goal to benefit Māori or Māori investment. My role is to identify these connections and build team capability to consider them appropriately.
I am currently building questions into our idea disclosure ‘triage’ process that ask researchers to consider a Te Ao Māori perspective, particularly how the commercialisation of their idea might affect Māori people.
Network building, to future-proof this approach, is also an important part of my role. Developing a bank of capable stakeholders will ensure there is more than one person to turn to for advice about Māori commercialisation.