close
MENU
Hot Topic Dealmakers
Hot Topic Dealmakers
Te Ao Māori
4 mins to read

Putting on your ‘big girl undies’

Fourth in NBR's Te Wiki o te Reo Māori series. A small community not-for-profit shows what tikanga and Te Ao Māori look like at the grassroots.

Community Wellbeing North Canterbury General manager Deirdre Ryan. Photo: Max Tiweka

Key points
  • What’s at stake? Whether community services feel safe and welcoming for Māori and whether whānau actually use them.
  • Background: Community Wellbeing North Canterbury began a whole-of-organisation journey after board and staff took Te Tiriti training in 2022.
  • Main players: General manager Deirdre Ryan, Tumuaki Jacinta McInerney of Karanga Mai Early Learning, as well as the staff, board, and local partners.

Community Wellbeing North Canterbury is a small organisation with a big task –  supporting whānau across Waimakariri and Hurunui.

The mostly non-Māori team wanted to do better for Māori in their community but didn't know where to start. General manager Deirdre Ryan says they were "just a little

Want to read more? It's easy.

Choose your subscription

Already have an account? Login

Smartphone Only Subscription

NZ$29.95 / monthly

Monthly Premium Online Subscription

NZ$49.95 / monthly

Smartphone Only Annual Subscription

NZ$299.00 / yearly

Yearly Premium Online Subscription

NZ$499.00 / yearly

Premium Group Membership 10 Users

NZ$385+GST / monthly

$38.5 per user - Pay by monthly credit card debit

Premium Group Membership 20 Users

NZ$660+GST / monthly

$33 per user - Pay by monthly credit card debit

Premium Group Membership 50 Users

NZ$1375+GST / monthly

$27.5 per user - Pay by monthly credit card debit

Premium Group Membership 100 Users

NZ$2100+GST / monthly

$21 per user - Pay by monthly credit card debit

Yearly Premium Online Subscription + NBR Marketplace

NZ$999.00 / yearly

Individual
Group membership
NBR Marketplace

Student

Exclusive FREE offer for uni students studying at a New Zealand university (valued at $499).
Mike McRoberts Thu, 18 Sep 2025
Contact the Writer: Mike@nbr.co.nz
News tip? Question? Typo? Let us know: editor@nbr.co.nz
© All content copyright NBR. Do not reproduce in any form without permission, even if you have a paid subscription.

Free News Alerts

Sign up to get the latest stories and insights delivered to your inbox – free, every day.

I’m already subscribed/joined

Free News Alerts

Sign up to get the latest stories and insights delivered to your inbox – free, every day.

I’m already subscribed/joined
Key points
  • What’s at stake? Whether community services feel safe and welcoming for Māori and whether whānau actually use them.
  • Background: Community Wellbeing North Canterbury began a whole-of-organisation journey after board and staff took Te Tiriti training in 2022.
  • Main players: General manager Deirdre Ryan, Tumuaki Jacinta McInerney of Karanga Mai Early Learning, as well as the staff, board, and local partners.
Putting on your ‘big girl undies’
Te Ao Māori,
110965
true