In this episode of The Better SMB Podcast, we sit down with Katia Holland, Associate at McCaw Lewis, to explore how Māori worldviews and tikanga reshape how businesses in Aotearoa think about success. 

We unpack what it means to prioritise intergenerational responsibility over short-term wins, and how principles like whakapapa, manaakitanga, and kaitiakitanga can be applied to strategy, governance and partnerships. 

Katia shares her experiences supporting Māori businesses and iwi, and challenges all SMB leaders to pause and ask: What am I building — and who am I building it for? 

Highlights: 

• The 2050 Test: Would you still be proud of today’s decisions in 25 years? 

• Why authentic partnerships with Māori organisations require respect and patience, not just transactions. 

• How Treaty settlements catalysed growth in the Māori economy, now worth $126 billion.

• What all businesses can learn from a values-first approach that builds legacy, not just profit

Thank you for tuning in to The Better SMB Podcast, sponsored by SetSeed, the all-in-one platform that redefines what a website can be. Smart, secure and AI-tailored to reflect your brand. No plugins, no patchwork, no problems. Just world-class software and support in one subscription. Discover more at setseed.com 

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Rob Bull 

David Altena 

Learn more about NZ Lean Academy and the mission Rob is on to make NZ the best place in the world to do business  

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