A Māori approach to career development, He huarahi Māori mō te whakawhanake aramahi

A Māori approach to career development is grounded in 3 foundational concepts:

• tuakiri (identity)
• whanaungatanga (relationships)
• mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge systems).

Together, these concepts recognise that career development for Māori is often a journey of understanding who we are, where we belong and how we navigate meaningful futures as Māori.

An Indigenous lens is necessary because it addresses the inequities, biases and systemic barriers that have historically limited Māori access to opportunities, career support and self-determined futures.

These concepts give a foundation for career practitioners to better understand and support Māori aspirations, pathways and the practice of mana motuhake (self-determination).

Māori identity encompasses self-identification, the many ways we are Māori and the changing contexts in which we live. Historical and contemporary influences, including colonisation and the ongoing journey of living as Māori on our own terms, are central to understanding and expressing who we are and who we want to be.

Understanding identity through an Indigenous lens requires acknowledging that Māori career experiences do not occur in a vacuum. They are shaped by historical inequities, structural bias, and intergenerational experiences, as well as by resilience, cultural strength and aspirations.

Recognising this complexity can support career practitioners to:

• move beyond narrow assumptions about Māori identity
• challenge deficit-based thinking and unconscious bias
• create conditions where Māori experiences of who we are and why, are accepted, affirmed and strengthened.

Career development for Māori is closely connected to identity development. This is an ongoing journey of understanding:

• who we are as Māori
• where we belong
• who we are becoming.

Career is one way identity is expressed, rather than the place where identity begins.

Relationships are central to Māori ways of being and belonging. They connect us to:

• whakapapa
• whānau, hapū, iwi
• communities
• places
• future generations.

Career development for Māori is a relational process where people grow people. We walk alongside the people, places, and communities we belong to, carrying responsibilities not only to ourselves but also to those who come after us.

Career practitioners can strengthen relational approaches by:

• recognising whānau and significant relationships as active contributors to career development
• resourcing whānau and communities as career influencers and valued partners in career decision-making.

Mātauranga Māori refers to Māori knowledge, values, and ways of understanding the world that have been developed and passed down through generations (Mead, 2016).

This includes knowledge of:

• whakapapa
• tikanga
• te reo Māori
• history
• place
• relationships
• ways of understanding the world.

Like Indigenous knowledge systems throughout the world, mātauranga Māori is living, evolving and adapting.

Mātauranga Māori provides practitioners with essential context for understanding Māori experiences, aspirations and career development. This includes recognising both the enduring impacts of colonisation and the ongoing strengths of Māori identities, relationships, knowledge systems and communities.

Career practitioners can deepen their understanding of Māori histories, Indigenous knowledge systems and worldviews. These are essential sources of knowledge for supporting Māori to determine their own futures and realise their aspirations.

Mead, H. M. (2016). Tikanga Māori: Living by Māori values (2nd ed.). Huia Publishers.

Walker, B. W., Staniland, N. A., Haar, J., Turner, P., Ryburn, G., & Meachen, R. (2026). Indigenous employees’ experiences of work: An interdisciplinary review. Human Relations, 79 (2), 181–214. https://doi.org/10.1177/00187267251394567

Haar, J., & Martin, W. J. (2022). He aronga takirua: Cultural double-shift of Māori scientists. Human Relations, 75(6), 1001–1027. https://doi.org/10.1177/00187267211003955

Rangatahi Futures is a career programme that incorporates whanaungatanga, mātauranga Māori and tuakiri in its approach and design.

Rangatahi Futures

Tohu Careers is a career tool that encourages rangatahi to discover their values, see their strengths and explore career pathways that connect with who they are.

Tohu Careers

Author: Dr Lynette Reid, Hāpai Tūhono, 2026