Sabian Clarke, on the left, with Claire Porima holding compendium.
Sabian Clarke has had the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy of stories, achievements, and taonga during her internship at Te Kupeka Umaka Māori ki Āraiteuru (KUMA) this year.
Established in 2005, KUMA is the Southern Māori Business Network operating throughout Ōtākou (Otago) and Murihiku (Southland).
KUMA’s focus is to promote, assist and encourage Māori whānau in business, and contribute to the economic development of Māori and the southern region.
Sabian’s accomplishments with KUMA include the composition of Māori business stories, award winners, and taonga into a compendium. She collaborated with dozens of Māori businesses and their multi-talented Māori owners, including the renowned master carver, Steve Solomon.
“This project has been incredibly special to me,” she says.
“The opportunity to kōrero and connect with a series of aspirational Māori business leaders, each of them deeply committed to their kaupapa has been nothing short of inspiring. Capturing their kōrero and contributions in a way that honours both their mahi and their mana was a privilege.
“This mahi marks not only my first publication, but a project grounded in kaupapa Māori values and deep appreciation for people, stories, and taonga crafted by Steve Solomon for our Southern Māori business network.”
Born and raised in Whakatāne, a descendant of Ngāti Rangitihi a Te Awara, Sabian moved to Ōtepoti in 2021 for her studies. Since then, she has completed a Bachelor of Commerce, and is currently finishing her Master’s of Business in Marketing.
Claire Porima (Ngāti Hikairo) is the Tumuaki (Chair) of KUMA and worked very closely with Sabian during her internship.
“Sabian was selected to work with KUMA as the Otago Business School’s Tauira Māori intern,” Claire says.
“She has been an absolute joy to work with, not just on this project but also joining our strategy planning sessions and accompanying me to business meetings. KUMA businesses across the region have remarked on her professionalism and willingness to learn and engage.
“This internship gave Sabian access to many different Māori businesses and we know that her experience will be valued in whatever organisation or industry that she enters next, hopefully, with one of our Māori businesses!”
Sabian says this internship has been deeply rewarding, and that the value of it “goes far beyond academic or professional development”.
It also helped her reconnect with her cultural identity.
“The KUMA whānau welcomed me with open arms, supported me, and gave me the space to grow. Throughout this journey, I’ve felt a deep connection to my nanny…This project reminded me of where I come from and reaffirmed a sense of belonging that had been quietly waiting to be reignited.”
With her gained experience, Sabian has a clear vision of the type of career she wants to pursue in the future.
“This experience has helped me discover the kind of spaces I want to work in, spaces where people, purpose and tikanga come before profit. It’s shown me that I thrive in environments that reflect my values…I’m no longer just seeking a job, I’m seeking meaningful mahi”.
-Kōrero by Brigham Riwai-Couch, Māori Communications Adviser
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