Cultural Creative Partnership; Do's & Dont's
Dec 20, 2025
Not all partnerships are the same. Understanding the type of engagement sets expectations and creates respectful, meaningful work.
Consultative Partner: Minimal engagement with Te Ao Māori
Consultative partnerships involve bringing in external expertise for guidance or advice, with limited ongoing collaboration. This approach is suited for short-term projects or when a specific perspective is needed to inform decision-making. It allows teams to access specialist knowledge without committing to deeper involvement. While efficient, it relies on clear communication and respect for the consultant’s input. Misalignment or assumptions can limit the value of the engagement. When done well, consultative partnerships provide clarity, direction, and actionable insights that support project goals without overcomplicating processes or requiring significant ongoing collaboration. Do: Listen actively and acknowledge the advice given. Don’t: Treat it as a box-ticking exercise or ignore recommendations.
Co-design Partner: Māori & Non-Māori collaboration
Co-design brings Māori and non-Māori together to shape projects collectively. It’s ideal for initiatives that benefit from shared decision-making, multiple perspectives, and collaboration at every stage. The process requires transparency, mutual respect, and active participation to ensure ideas and outcomes reflect all voices. Co-design strengthens understanding, builds trust, and creates solutions that are culturally aware and practically relevant. Done well, it balances input while fostering ownership across stakeholders. This type of partnership is more time-intensive than consultative approaches, but it produces richer, more inclusive outcomes that resonate with diverse communities. Do: Ensure genuine collaboration at every stage. Don’t: Assume equal input without facilitation and cultural guidance.
Integrated or Indigenous Partnership: Māori working with Māori
Integrated or Indigenous partnerships embed Māori leadership, tikanga, and cultural frameworks at every level of the project. They are suited for initiatives that require deep cultural authenticity, alignment with iwi or hapū, and sustained Māori decision-making. This approach ensures outcomes are culturally grounded, meaningful, and responsive to community needs. It demands commitment, clear governance, and respect for Māori processes, but the benefits include stronger cultural integrity, lasting relationships, and outputs that reflect Māori values. Projects guided by this type of partnership demonstrate authenticity, trustworthiness, and resilience, making them highly effective in communities where Māori perspectives are central. Do: Respect Māori-led processes and uphold tikanga throughout. Don’t: Override or dilute Māori voice with external agendas.
