An indigenous global knowledge exchange programme in the agri-food sector

The next round of applications is now open! Email us to register your interest.

Te Ara Pōtiki is a not-for-profit Charitable Trust whose sole purpose is to increase the number of Māori gaining real-world experience inside international agrifood businesses.

Through our global network and deep experience in entrepreneurship, investment and science, we place Māori candidates into world-leading agrifood organisations in the United States.

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OUR KAUPAPA IS SIMPLE: Create pathways for Māori to step into global environments where innovation happens, decisions are made, and industries are shaped.

OUR PURPOSE:

Hands-on experience.
Commercialisation.
Global acceleration.

Te Ara Pōtiki exists to build Māori capability, confidence and leadership by providing real-world commercial experience inside agrifood innovation ecosystems overseas.

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Participants Gain

Practical commercialisation experience
Insights into taking science from research to market
Exposure to product development, scale-up and innovation systems
Access to global agrifood networks, leaders and technology teams
The confidence to apply STEM expertise in commercial settings

For many, this is the first chance to step outside academic or research pathways and understand how ideas become real products, solutions and businesses.

This programme exists to unlock capability that strengthens Aotearoa’s primary sector and future economy.

“The programme opened my eyes to possibilities I hadn’t seriously considered before.” Erena Calder Hawkins (2024 Te Ara Potiki Cohort)

Who We Support

Te Ara Pōtiki supports Māori aged 35 and under who have:

A STEM qualification or technical background
Deep experience in science, research, engineering, technology or related fields
A desire to understand global agrifood commercialisation
A curiosity for innovation beyond Aotearoa
A commitment to contribute back to the sector

This programme is designed for experienced Māori professionals, not entry-level candidates.

What Makes Te Ara Pōtiki Unique

Our strength lies in our long-standing, trusted relationships across the United States agrifood innovation landscape.
This established network gives Māori access to companies and opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach.

It isn’t just a placement -

it’s an immersion into high-performance environments that grow people, ideas and potential.

Meet the Team