Facebook has taken the leap with New Zealand’s Whāriki Business Network in a bid to support local Māori businesses. Facebook media specialists teamed up with Whāriki last week to bring nearly 100 Māori business representatives together for the Boost with Facebook program, where they provided key information on how to best use the social media platform as a marketing tool.

Labour MP Tamati Coffey, who was also in attendance on behalf of Rotorua’s Our House restaurant, spoke highly of the event and reiterated its importance for local organizations.

“Definitely there’s opportunities to be working and growing your audience. If you can nail it yourself without having to contract it out to somebody else, then it will actually give you a deeper understanding as to how you might be able to use it to benefit your business.”

Whāriki has organized a number of workshop sessions to benefit business communities across New Zealand, with locations in Waikato, Ōtautahi, Ōtākou, and Waiariki. Whāriki shares their excitement surrounding the event and its potential to bring growth to the community.

“The event provides the most up-to-date education for small businesses directly from the Facebook team. Whether you’re a seasoned Facebook and Instagram user or starting out in using these platforms for your business, all skill levels are welcome. Boost with Facebook will be facilitated by Facebook Community Trainer, Katie Brown of Ngāti Raukawa and Ngāti Whātua. Katie is a big supporter of Whāriki and Māori business, and we’re really honoured to have the opportunity to have her expertise onboard with this kaupapa to back the Māori business community.”

Full events dates, locations and details can be found on their website, www.whariki.co.nz.

About Whāriki

Whāriki is the largest Māori business network in the world. Describing themselves as an inspired community that provides insights, relationships, and pathways to opportunity, this network stands on a foundation of five core values, each designed to help them support Māori businesses on the road to success.

• Whanaungatanga- We are connected through whakapapa, relationships, and friendships. We are there for each other in times of challenge and celebrations.
• Manaakitanga- We uplift the mana of one another to maintain our own mana.
• Taki Tini, Taki Tahi- Our collective strength, strengthens the individual. At times we must act as one but we do so with the support of the many.
• Whai Mātauranga, Hei Painga mou- Seek knowledge, experience, and understanding for the betterment of your business for your whān
• Mana Motuhake- We are proud, we celebrate who we are and what we do. We stand on our tikanga and will not compromise this.