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.