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Career stories from Māori people

Here are some stories from Māori people in a range of jobs. Take a look to find out why they do the job they do and what they think about it.

Willie Beattie was working as a factory manager, but decided to change direction and study food technology. While it was difficult, he says his family helped him get through it. "It was very tough, very, very tough. But because I had made a huge commitment in moving the family, I had a lot of motivation, plus I had the family support system so there was no turning back."

"As a councillor you make decisions on every single issue that comes before the council, but it's the chance to be involved in small projects, like establishing a system of grants to encourage Māori art, that gives me the most satisfaction." - Ray Ahipene-Mercer

Gail Bosmann-Watene says that as a Māori social worker working with Māori, it is important to have a strong understanding of your own Māori identity. "They will challenge you about who you are, where you are from, or what your whakapapa or genealogy is. Knowing who you are and being sure about yourself are very important when working with other Māori."

Read about what other qualities Gail Bosmann-Watene thinks social workers need
Read a Māori translation of Gail's Bosmann-Watene's story

"As a conservator specialising in ethnographic objects I feel privileged to work with objects from a variety of cultural backgrounds. It means I work with different materials and learn new approaches to caring for the objects. I'm exposed to new things almost every day." - Karel Kaio

Jo ann Roberts has been playing around with cars her whole life. “When I was little I watched my dad working on cars and motorbikes. Later on I ended up holding his tools and learning about them, and finally I ended up using them!”

Lana Simmons-Donaldson works as a communication manager for a crown entity promoting te reo Māori in New Zealand. "I have been involved in everything from starting up an interactive Māori website, through to event management and reviving the celebration of Matariki and Māori language week."

Read about how Lana Simmons-Donaldson's love of writing led her to a job as a communication manager
Read a Māori translation of Lana Simmons-Donaldson's story

Paora Tibble is a publishing editor for an organisation that publishes educational books, school journals, audio tapes and comics in Māori.“I think of a book as a waka – a canoe taking someone on a journey; I’m privileged to be able to take kids on some really cool journeys.”

Nick Tupara says that tā moko artists feel it is important to live up to tradition. "We feel responsibility not just to our job but to our culture. Any mistakes I make diminish the cultural significance of, or the respect for this art form. I’d like my clients to be proud to show their tattoo to their families and wear it on behalf of their wider iwi group and their wider whānau."

Read about how Nick Tupara became a tā moko artist
Read a Māori translation of Nick Tupara's story