Why Are Participation Rates So Low For Wahine Māori?

This examines wāhine Māori in leadership and specifically, their engagement with

positions in the private sector. The main purpose of this research was to understand the influences

on their decision-making in terms of leadership choices, which in turn would identify a rationale

for the disproportionately low levels of leadership participation in the private sector when

compared to those of the public sector and self-employment.

Qualitative research methods were utilized in this study including interviews, recordings and

researcher/participant correspondence. This was conducted with ten wāhine Māori all holding

current leadership positions, with five from each sector of private and public. Participants

discussed their early influences and upbringings, factors that had shaped their career choices and

provided insight into their experiences and challenges within their leadership positions. The

overarching research philosophy encompassing this study was kaupapa Māori methodology,

honouring the values of whānau, wāhi haumaru, whakaaro, kaitiaki and hononga.