ABSTRACT
The central theme of the chapter is to examine the role of elders in indigenous economic development. The experience of Kaumātua (elders) within Māori enterprises – commercial entities owned and operated by Māori – in Aotearoa/New Zealand, forms the case study. While elders remain an ever-present part of Māori enterprises, their role and value may not be widely understood, especially by a younger generation intent on having their turn at steering the proverbial waka (vessel) (i.e. our veritable enterprise). The chapter and associated research is based on kaupapa Māori research philosophy and practice, which is increasingly being applied to Māori entrepreneurship and business research (Gillies et al., 2007; Henry, 1999; Mika, 2013; Tinirau, 2004; Tinirau and Mika, 2012). This is research by Maori, with Māori and for Māori in terms of research benefits and is grounded in traditional Māori knowledge, culture and values (Pihama and Penehira, 2005; Smith, 1997; Smith, 1999).
