It’s only a few weeks until Diversity Works New Zealand transitions to our new entity, Te Uru Tāngata Centre for Workplace Inclusion.
Ahead of the launch of the new organisation, we wanted to share some of the meaning behind our new name, which was chosen in collaboration with our Māori advisors and reviewed by the Cultural advisory committee to the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust Board.
Te Uru Tāngata translates to ‘a stand or grove of people’. This name is inspired by the whakataukī ‘Kahikatea tū i te uru’, which refers to the tallest native tree in Aotearoa.
Kahikatea grow in groves, forming an intertwined root structure that makes it the one of strongest and most resilient trees in the forest. Metaphorically, the whakataukī translates to ‘Strength in numbers’ so the name Te Uru Tāngata talks to the strength of people when they work together with a unified purpose and shared beliefs.
Chief Executive Maretha Smit says the new organisation will be the place where diverse individuals can come together to collectively contribute to workplace inclusion
“Te Uru Tāngata is our commitment to fostering inclusive workplaces where every individual feels rooted in connection, nurtured in growth, and valued for their unique contributions. Just as a grove thrives on interdependence, our success depends on the diversity and equity of our people.”
For Māori, diversity and inclusion extend beyond individual differences to include connections to land, ancestors, and values, Maretha says. Therefore, the new name can also represent the intersection of diverse cultural perspectives, emphasising the importance of weaving indigenous approaches into DEI strategies for a more holistic and equitable workplace.
“We love the sense of unity, connection and community the name brings to our mahi.”
