The Importance of Manaakitanga in Modern Business

In today’s fast-paced, competitive business environment, it’s easy to overlook the importance of values that transcend the bottom line. But as more companies focus on building strong relationships and fostering inclusive cultures, manaakitanga – a core concept in te ao Māori – is becoming increasingly relevant.

Manaakitanga is the Māori practice of showing hospitality, care, and respect to others. At its heart, it’s about creating a welcoming environment where people feel valued and respected. In the world of business, embodying manaakitanga can have far-reaching benefits, both culturally and commercially.

What is Manaakitanga?

Manaakitanga isn’t just about good manners or providing hospitality – it’s about nurturing and uplifting the people around you. It’s a commitment to creating genuine relationships, offering support when needed, and treating others with kindness and respect.

For Māori, manaakitanga is deeply embedded in their worldview and is seen as a way of ensuring balance and harmony within a community. In a business context, it means prioritising people, fostering connections, and embracing a culture of care and collaboration.

Why is Manaakitanga Important in Business?

Incorporating manaakitanga into modern business practices can significantly enhance workplace culture, strengthen customer relationships, and improve employee engagement. Here’s why:

1. It Builds Trust and Loyalty

When you show genuine care for your employees, clients, and stakeholders, you build a foundation of trust. Trust is the bedrock of any successful business relationship. Clients are more likely to return, employees are more likely to stay, and partnerships become more enduring when there’s a genuine sense of care and respect.

In today’s market, where consumers are more discerning and employees are seeking workplaces that align with their values, demonstrating manaakitanga can set your business apart.

2. It Fosters a Collaborative Environment

Manaakitanga encourages a spirit of collaboration and mutual support. By creating a workplace where people feel valued and respected, businesses can foster an environment where collaboration thrives. When employees feel supported, they are more willing to share ideas, work together, and contribute to the collective success of the organisation.

A business that embraces manaakitanga encourages open communication, shared responsibility, and collective success – all of which are key to a thriving workplace.

3. It Strengthens Relationships with Clients and Communities

Just as manaakitanga helps build strong relationships within a business, it also strengthens the ties businesses have with their clients and communities. When a business treats its clients with genuine care and respect, it creates a lasting impression that can lead to long-term loyalty and advocacy.

Moreover, in the New Zealand context, showing manaakitanga towards Māori communities – whether through respectful partnerships or cultural awareness – can deepen relationships and create more meaningful engagements.

How to Incorporate Manaakitanga into Your Business

Embracing manaakitanga doesn’t require a complete overhaul of your business model, but it does call for a shift in mindset and values. Here are a few ways you can incorporate manaakitanga into your business:

1. Prioritise People Over Profit

While profit is essential for any business, putting people first can lead to long-term gains. Prioritise the wellbeing and needs of your employees and clients. Create a workplace culture where care, support, and respect are the foundation.

2. Practice Genuine Hospitality

In a business context, hospitality goes beyond offering tea or coffee in meetings. It’s about making every person who interacts with your business feel welcomed, heard, and valued. Whether it’s a client visiting your office or an employee starting a new role, show genuine hospitality through open communication and care.

3. Encourage Inclusivity and Diversity

Manaakitanga is about embracing others, regardless of their background. Businesses can practice manaakitanga by fostering a culture of inclusivity, where diversity is not only accepted but celebrated. Create opportunities for different voices to be heard and show respect for diverse perspectives.

4. Build Meaningful Relationships with Māori Communities

For New Zealand businesses, showing manaakitanga towards Māori communities is essential for building meaningful, respectful partnerships. Whether you are working with iwi or engaging with Māori customers, take the time to understand their needs and values, and approach these relationships with care and respect.

Manaakitanga: A Path to Long-Term Success

Incorporating manaakitanga into your business is more than a strategy – it’s a commitment to fostering meaningful relationships, prioritising care, and acting with integrity. While profit margins and market shares are important, the businesses that thrive in the long term are those that embrace values that resonate on a deeper level.

By leading with manaakitanga, your business not only strengthens its internal culture and external relationships but also contributes to a more compassionate and connected world. In doing so, you set the foundation for sustainable success built on trust, respect, and care.