Our Story: From Startup Weekends to Cultural Consultancy in The UK.

Background

Pūtahi is a meeting place between the landscape, people and ideas. Through the many challenges we remain true to our purpose and values; supporting organisations through complex social, environmental, and cultural issues.

The Birth of Pūtahi Innovations Limited

Pūtahi was founded by Terence Hikawai in 2017, during the Techstars Startup Weekend PASIFIKA. He worked on  a smartphone grocery app called, Cheap Kai. The app used crowd sourced data to compare the cheapest priced items, and their locations. Creating a digital community of like-minded shoppers. Although it did not win, there was great interest in the app. This experience offered Terence a small insight into entrepreneurship. He moved forward with zero experience and a long 'to do' list.

The Growth of Pūtahi

Pūtahi became a registered Limited Liability Company in 2019. We enlisted web/app developer Little Monkey. Who built a working prototype of Cheap Kai. Which won the Good Food Boost Mentoring Programme in 2020. Through this award, we joined the Regional Food Network, Lower Hutt. A network that supports community based initiatives such as Kai Security and Kai Sovereignty. Wellington Regional Council and Wellington District Health continue to support and guide the network.​

Terence would later attend other Techstar Startup Weekends as a Mentor. Which drew him to become a Trustee for the Global Entrepreneurship Network of New Zealand.

Changing Gears during a Pandemic

The Pandemic Alert Level Lockdown in Aotearoa New Zealand gave a chance to pause, reflect and evolve. We joined the 10 Day Pop Up Business School. Which drew together entrepreneurs from across Wellington City. Through this course, we witnessed a growing need for support for startups and small businesses.

Terence also became a Business Mentor through the Pop Up Business School. Later he would complete a Diploma in Te Reo Māori and a Certificate in Small Business.

On the Horizon

Terence and his small family moved to the United Kingdom in July 2024. He took a short sabbatical to settle into their new life. During this time Terence researched opportunities to bring our unique brand to the UK market.

We have partnered with Goodall Cellular Systems Ltd, a small UK-based consulting firm. Allowing us to offer our services to the UK, Ireland and Europe. We remain Te Ao Māori centred and continue to support organisations to solve complex social, cultural, and environmental issues.

We Continue to Offer Te Ao Māori Consultancy

• We offer Te Ao Māori consultancy services, facilitated workshops, and guest speaking

• We are exploring how our Cheap Kai app can expand into the UK market

• We will offer Aotearoa New Zealand inspired notebooks, prints and designs

• We are developing an online Te Ao Māori course 

Contact Us

Feel free to reach out and kōrero (talk) to find out more.