Maori Women's Welfare League

16/06/2026

🌀🐚

🗣️ Ko a te Wenerei, te 17 o Hune tū ai te whakataetae a Te Rōpū Wāhine Māori Toko i Te Ora; ko Ngā Pū Kōrero. Ka tū ki te hōro o Te Ahu, ā, mā Te Reo Irirangi o Te Hiku tonu te kaupapa rā e pāpāho atu ki te ipurangi. Kei raro iho nei te hononga ki ngā kōrero a Peter-Lucas Jones mō tēnei kaupapa ⬇️

15/05/2026

ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING (AML) SUMMIT 2026

MWDI attended the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Summit 2026 in Tāmaki Makaurau this week.

As an organisation we're committed to supporting wāhine through responsible lending, MWDI has maintained compliance with Anti-Money Laundering legislation since its introduction in 2013. Strong compliance practices are an important part of protecting our people, our communities, and the integrity of the financial sector.

Our Kaiwhakahaere, Finance and Business Lending team (Linda clay, Sharon Page and Serena Fiso) attended the summit over two days listening and learning to ensure compliance requirements are met at the transactional level every day.

The team heard valuable insights from Minister McKee regarding the proposed regulatory simplification reforms currently before the House.

Upskilling, learning, strengthening best practice, and engaging with others across the sector ensures we deliver robust services to our wāhine and their whānau.

For information about our programmes and services please visit our website

15/05/2026

📣 He tono ki ngā mema o Te Ropu Wahine Māori Toko i te Ora.

Te Ropu Wahine Maori Toko i te Ora / Māori Women’s Welfare League is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from interested designers and creatives to develop merchandise design concepts that reflect the values, identity, and aspirations of our kaupapa.

We are inviting submissions for design concepts suitable for merchandise and fabric applications.

Designs should embody Te Ao Māori perspectives and align with the kaupapa and visual identity of the League.

Key Information:
• EOI Closing Date: Friday 22 May 2026
• Final Design Delivery Date: Monday 22 June 2026

We welcome expressions of interest from individuals, collectives, and emerging creatives who are passionate about kaupapa Māori design and storytelling through visual expression.

To submit your expression of interest, please submit the form in this link below by Friday 22 May 2026.

Please click the link to complete this form.

13/05/2026

WOMEN DELIVER 2026

We are thrilled to be here at Women Deliver 2026 alongside over 6,000 wāhine and women from across the globe.

We kicked things off yesterday with a Welcome to Country from the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. This was a powerful and humbling reminder of whose whenua we stand on.

We then had the honour of attending 'Beyond Silence: Scaling Solutions for Sexual Violence' hosted by Alison Mau alongside the Tika board and Prue Kapua, who serves as Chair of both MWDI and Tika, and we were delighted to be joined by former Prime Minister of Aotearoa the Rt Hon Helen Clark.

This powerful session centred on breaking the stigma surrounding sexual harm, how to improve survivor support, accountability and prevention. Kōrero that is important and very necessary.

We are deeply honoured to be here, to listen, to learn and to stand alongside these remarkable wāhine.

Watch this space for more!

13/05/2026

MWDI TE AUPIKI PAKIHI

It was a pleasure to walk alongside our rangatahi and future leaders through MWDI Te Aupiki Pakihi in April. Our 2-day wānanga is designed to equip rangatahi Māori (ages 16–18) with the skills, knowledge and confidence to explore te ao pakihi and build financial literacy.

Watching our incredible, creative, intelligent and confident rangatahi Māori step further into their power and potential was truly special and inspiring. The future is very bright!

We are here to tautoko every rangatahi taking their first steps into the world of business and can't wait to see what you build.

If you or someone you know would like to participate in the next MWDI Te Aupiki Pakihi email us at [email protected] or for more information about our programmes and services visit our website.

13/05/2026

THE BUSINESS OF RONGOĀ (hosted by Donna Kerridge) & MWDI HE PAPA PŪTEA PAKIHI.

Over the past year, MWDI has proudly supported and participated in the Business of Rongoā wānanga hosted by Donna Kerridge, connecting with kai rongoā and Kaipakihi Māori across Aotearoa.

Held at marae throughout the motu including South Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Rotorua, Kaipara, and Port Levy these wānanga have focused on strengthening the sustainability and growth of rongoā Māori practitioners operating within today’s professional business environment.

A significant milestone highlighted throughout the wānanga has been the recognition of kai rongoā as ACC registered providers, creating greater opportunities for kiritahi to access kaupapa Māori healing as part of their wellbeing journey.

MWDI has been honoured to contribute alongside organisations including ACC, Kahui Rongoā, IRD, and Poutama Trust by providing business capability support, coaching, advisory services, and pathways for growth.

If you would like to know more about the next Business of Rongoā visit Oraonline.nz or visit our website for more about our programmes and services.

We look forward to you joining us at the next wānanga. Mauri ora!

28/04/2026

We are thrilled to announce that Māori Women’s Development Inc (MWDI) will be attending Women Deliver 2026 in Naarm (Melbourne).

We will be delivering a concurrent session 'He Oranga Wāhine Māori & Pasifika: Indigenous- led Pathways to Economic Empowerment' on Wednesday, 29 April 2026 at Melbourne Convention Centre, Naarm (Melbourne) exploring how Indigenous women across Aotearoa and the Pacific are reclaiming economic power through culturally grounded entrepreneurship and financial capability.

We are honoured to be joined by an incredible panel of wāhine toa: proud Noongar/Ballardong woman Jaynaya Winmar Founder & CEO, Blakbone Sistahood, Kaye-Maree Dunn — Managing Director, Making Everything Achievable (MEA), Ngarina Wong — Supplier Engagement Lead, Amotai, Linda Clay — Kaiwhakahaere, Māori Women's Development Inc and Prue Kapua, Chairperson of MWDI and Lawyer at Tamatekapua Law, who will also be our moderator.

Together we will showcase MWDI's holistic service model including micro-loans, business coaching and mentoring, and kōrero about strategies and partnerships to advance wahine and Indigenous equity in economic development.

Tūhono mai. Follow along as we represent wāhine and kaipakihi wāhine Māori on the global stage.

26/04/2026

MWDI Business Loans

We’re dedicated to empowering wāhine Māori and their whānau with financial tools to succeed.

Our loans provide:

- Capital for Business Growth: Funds to help establish your business or support the expansion of an existing one.
- Lend between $10,000 - $50,000.
- Flexible Restructuring Options: Financing to assist with business restructuring.
- Guidance and Support: Access to a network of experienced advisors who can help you navigate the business landscape with confidence.

For more information about our loans please visit MWDI.co.nz or contact our Business Loan Manager Serena Fiso at [email protected]

10/03/2026

Join us for Mana Mindset Well-being Wānanga

A 2-day online wānanga designed to equip you with an empowering well-being plan incorporating Te Whare Tapa Whā.

This personal development journey focuses on self-awareness through identifying your beliefs, understanding your core values, designing a purpose focused vision, setting goals, and re-identifying with self.

When: Saturday 21 - Sunday 22 March 2026
Where: Online, so you can tune in from anywhere!
Register now: mwdi.co.nz

For more information or to register please visit https://events.humanitix.com/mana-mindset-well-being-wananga-21-22-march-2026

'Hei manaaki i Te Mana Wahine'

09/03/2026

He karanga tēnei ki ngā rangatahi o ngā hau e whā!

Level up your financial literacy and business skills with two days of fun and interactive wānanga.

We warmly invite rangatahi aged 16-18 to register and join us in Te Whanganui-A-Tara (Wellington) for MWDI Te Aupiki Pakihi 2026.

This wānanga is a space for rangatahi to be inspired by pakihi Māori, learn essential skills of mātau ahumoni (financial literacy) and explore entrepreneurial pathways in a supportive environment.

Wānanga Details:
Date: 23 & 24 April 2026
Time: 9AM – 3PM
Location: Pipitea Marae, Te Whanganui-A-Tara (Wellington)

To register: If you are, or have, rangatahi who may be interested, or if you would like more information, please contact our Rangatahi Coordinator at [email protected].