Case studies

Following are a range of case studies on Māori organisations. Case studies facilitate deep learning in teams and in cohorts through focusing on real-life problems and challenges. Ask your team or cohort to read the case and then work through the questions at the end. These case studies are used in a wide range team environments and classes, such as Accounting, Governance, Management, Marketing, Strategy, executive programmes and MBAs. 

Wakatu Incorporation: Balancing Kaitiaki Stewardship and Commerce

Abstract: Wakatū Incorporation is a large Indigenous Māori organisation in New Zealand in need of an effective decision-making process to help its governance board balance its cultural and
commercial goals. The company had secured the services of sustainability experts who were very helpful in terms of scientific management of resources, however its ‘triple bottom line’ approach did not transfer well in terms of being meaningful in a cultural sense. The company therefore commissioned Māori business researchers to develop a kaitiakitanga-based (stewardship) framework, that is, a sustainability decision-making tool that made sense culturally.
Key words: Māori business, governance, sustainability, decision-making, balanced scorecard
To cite this case study: Spiller, M. M., & Nicholson, A. (2017). Wakatu Incorporation: Balancing Kaitiaki Stewardship and Commerce. In Sage Business Cases. SAGE Publications Ltd. doi:10.4135/9781473999039

Flourishing on the Edge: Case Study of Whale Watch Kaikoura, an Indigenous Sustainable Business

Abstract: Whale Watch Kaikoura (WWK) provides an example of sustainable business embracing a quadruple bottom line of economic, environmental, social and cultural wealth creation.  It also shows how indigenous enterprise can enable social transformation.
Key words: Māori tourism, sustainable tourism, stakeholder, indigenous tourism, case study
To cite this chapter: SPILLER, C. & ERAKOVIC, L. (2005). Flourishing on the Edge: Case Study of Whale Watch Kaikoura, an Indigenous Sustainable Business. Best Case Scenarios. M. Wilson. Auckland, The University of Auckland Business School.

Whale Watch Kaikoura (WWK)

Abstract: This is an adaptation of the original Whale Watch Case study (above) with a focus on entrepreneurship.
Key words: Māori tourism, value chains, innovation, entrepreneurship, indigenous tourism, case study
To cite this case study: Spiller, C., & Bhowmick, S. (2014). Whale Watch Kaikoura -- New Zealand. In J. Hayton, C. Salvato, & M. Manimala (Eds.), Global entrepreneurship: Case studies of entrepreneurial firms operating around the world (1st ed.). New York: Routledge.

Navigator Tours: A Māori Relational Approach to Building Value Chains in Tourism

Abstract: This case examines value chain innovation through the networks of a Māori tourism company, Navigator Tours. The network represents a weaving together of various activities (flaxes), pulled together by hub firms, into a value chain (kete). The ultimate service experienced by the tourist is woven from a range of individual suppliers that come together to each add more value than they could individually. The chain of activities gives the service more added value than the sum of the added values of all activities. By taking advantage of upstream and downstream inputs, Navigator Tours has created a new business model which maximises value creation while minimising costs. The kete of value, added through the collective value chain, offers unique worth to the customer and the individual suppliers. It constitutes an example of innovation at work in a cultural context.
Key words: Māori tourism, value chains, innovation, entrepreneurship, indigenous tourism, case study
To cite this case study: Spiller, C. (2017). Navigator Tours: A Māori Relational Approach to Building Value Chains in Tourism in M Whitford, L Ruhanen & A Carr (eds). Indigenous Tourism: Cases from Australia and New Zealand. Goodfellows Publishing