Day in and day out they work to improve the lives of New Zealanders by providing them training and education opportunities that they may not be able to easily access otherwise.
One initiative supported by Price’s Amokura Iwi Consortium is Achieve2B. Launched in 2017, the organisation sends children and young adults on life-changing exchange programs both in and outside New Zealand. The initiative aims to improve outcomes for Maori and non-Maori youth with disabilities by giving them access to opportunities to participate in, and benefit from, intercultural programs.
At the Te Putea Whakatupu Trust, Karleen Everitt has implemented a policy to ensure that half of her organisation’s scholarships are awarded to women.
(Karleen Everitt with ExxonMobil’s Andrew McNaught, wearing the *korowai that was gifted to him for future GWIM participants)
This winter, the Trust is launching a new initiative with Victoria University of Wellington to train the next generation of Maori leaders. As well as courses in roles of governance, the program provides networking opportunities with government and business leaders.
For all of their work and commitment to the Maori community, Price and Everitt were in good stead to be part of ExxonMobil’s Global Women in Management (GWIM) programme, which recognizes women leaders supporting women in these communities.
“Programmes such as GWIM have a powerful multiplier effect that benefits the entire community,” explains Andrew McNaught, the country manager for Mobil Oil New Zealand Limited.
Day in and day out Price and Everitt work to provide opportunities to the Maori community. Everitt captures the essence of the passion both women have when she says, “I have a clear line of sight to protect our *‘whakapapa’ to the 22nd century. To say I am fired up is an understatement.”
*Whakapapa – a line of descent from one’s ancestors
*Korowai- a Maori cloak
Header photo: Rangimarie Price presenting to a group
