Working With Maori Organisations Ten Insights

Am I qualified to talk about this? Te Arawa ExperienceTe Arawa Experience Ngai Tahu ExperienceNgai Tahu Experience Ngati Porou experienceNgati Porou experience Kahungunu ExperienceKahungunu Experience Ngati Awa ExperienceNgati Awa Experience Pan-Maori ExperiencePan-Maori Experience Overseas experienceOverseas experience

Insight No. 1 No such thing as a “Normal” Maori Organisation.No such thing as a “Normal” Maori Organisation. –The size, type and purpose of our organisations is as diverse as non-Maori organisations –The needs are equally as diverse. –One size does not fit all.

Insight No. 2 All our organisations are under increased pressure from their stakeholders:All our organisations are under increased pressure from their stakeholders: –Funders seeking higher levels of compliance; –Increased pressure to mainstream Maori organisations; –Higher levels of accountability sought from Iwi members and beneficiaries; –Increased public and political scrutiny –Not necessarily playing on a level field

Insight No. 3 Many of the people in our organisations at both Governance and Management levels have an “aversion” to Accounting and Financial management:Many of the people in our organisations at both Governance and Management levels have an “aversion” to Accounting and Financial management: –Prefer to leave it to their accountants; –Do not have a clear understanding of the accounting role – often defaulting key financial management functions to their accountants; –Often deterred by the jargon, numbers and perceived complexity

Insight No. 4 Many of our organisations see the numbers in isolation.Many of our organisations see the numbers in isolation. –No connection to the plans; –Unable to read the story behind the numbers; –Unable to ask the right questions; –Unable to know what the right answers should be! –Unable to make properly informed decisions

Insight No. 5 Heavily reliant on Cash AccountingHeavily reliant on Cash Accounting –The perils of only looking at bank balances and cash transactions –Impact on management decisions –What a difference a “payment in advance” makes; –What our treasurers, managers and Governors need to know;

Insight No. 6 Minimal Tax planning and structuring.Minimal Tax planning and structuring. –Structures have been developed in response to funding requirements –Lack of knowledge about tax efficient structures e.g. LAQC, Family Trusts vs. Whanau Trusts –Confusion over Charitable tax status; –Structures often outdated and not fit for purpose; –Need to optimise tax efficiency, asset protection and operational performance

Insight No. 7 Strategic Planning vs. Business Planning –Understanding the difference –Business Planning without strategic planning –Do the numbers tell the same story –Planning is not just for compliance. –If you don’t have a plan whose plan are you on?

Insight No. 8 Yes Tikanga, Kawa and Maori values do have a place in business.Yes Tikanga, Kawa and Maori values do have a place in business. –Represent the Hull of our waka – must be strong to keep us afloat during good and turbulent times; –Hold us together; –Give us a common purpose, vision, reason to get on the waka; –Give us some guidelines for how we will do our business. –Makes us stand out from the crowd. To be no-one but yourself in a world which is doing its best to make you just like everyone else, means to fight the greatest battle there ever is or ever will be. EE Cummings

Insight No. 9 Preparing some of our larger organisations for “Boy do I have a Deal for you!”Preparing some of our larger organisations for “Boy do I have a Deal for you!” –Impact of settlements –Importance of Investment Planning –Importance of Investment Analysis –Why our Boards and Managers must know what questions to ask and answers to expect no matter how many experts they engage!

Boy do I have a deal for you!

Insight No. 10 There are no text book, off the shelf solutions for many of the issues our Maori organisations face;There are no text book, off the shelf solutions for many of the issues our Maori organisations face; –No two days are the same; –There are never enough resources, time or people to do all the things many of them are trying to do; –People often driven by passion for the kaupapa but overloaded; –Under increased scrutiny from all stakeholders, like working in a fish bowl; –Communication is always a challenge.

So what can you do? KISSKISS Go beyond the call of duty, make it your responsibility to upskill and transfer knowledge into these organisations;Go beyond the call of duty, make it your responsibility to upskill and transfer knowledge into these organisations; Avoid the temptation to control through knowledgeAvoid the temptation to control through knowledge Think laterally and creatively as accountants do!!Think laterally and creatively as accountants do!! Respect the tikanga and kawa of our organisations, work with it. Respect the tikanga and kawa of our organisations, work with it. Remember its people not numbers that drive financial performance.Remember its people not numbers that drive financial performance. Help our organisations get good systems in place.Help our organisations get good systems in place.