Piri Galbraith honoured with the 2024 Te Pou Whirinaki Business Collaboration Award

Piri Galbraith (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou), a trailblazing wāhine Māori and director of Kurawaka Retreat Centre, was awarded the prestigious Te Pou Whirinaki Business Collaboration Award at the 2024 Māori Women’s Development Inc. (MWDI) Māori Businesswomen’s Awards in Te Whanganui-a-tara on Friday 25 October.

The Te Pou Whirinaki Award, proudly sponsored by Manatū Wāhine Ministry for Women, celebrates Piri’s exceptional leadership in fostering collaborative working relationships among iwi, pakihi (businesses), and sectors to achieve meaningful impact and support the growth of Māori enterprises across Aotearoa.

MWDI’s award ceremony shines a light on the incredible achievements of wāhine Māori in business, both nationally and internationally. For Piri, this honour is a reflection of her dedication to her heritage and the values passed down from her mother, Raina Ferris, a highly respected teacher of the art of karanga.

“Beautiful acknowledgement especially for mum. In her succession plan was for her daughters to take over the mahi at kurawaka, and continue being the vessels to disseminate our mātauranga Māori…”

Piri’s work at Kurawaka Retreat Centre, a holistic wellness institute rooted in Māori principles, embodies her commitment to empowering Māori communities. Kurawaka offers exceptional wānanga and workshops specifically crafted for wāhine Māori, empowering them to reclaim their stories, build self-trust, reconnect with themselves, and deepen their understanding of tikanga and kawa as women.

“My message is kia rere. Rere is to reawaken, to educate, to realign, and empower... We teach and heal and help share and facilitate kōrero to heal our women, to do all of those four things - to be empowered.”

Her journey stands as an inspiring example of the impact wāhine Māori can make in their communities and beyond.

Whakamihi to Piri for her award, and congratulations to all the other inspiring finalists and winners.

Find the full list of winners on the Māori Women’s Development Inc. website.