Community Initiative of the Year
Methanex
Strengthening hapū relationships
Methanex New Zealand has been on a journey during the past two years to meaningfully strengthen iwi and hapū relationships and improve Māori cultural understanding and responsiveness within the company. It has involved a wide-ranging programme, including developing a Māori Engagement Strategy, workshops and a marae visit with Methanex leadership, staff focus groups, staff events to increase engagement and understanding, and regular hui with Ngāti Rahiri hapū leading to a Memorandum of Understanding, a land access agreement and sponsorships.
A successful milestone in this journey was a ceremony in February 2020 with mana whenua, opening an area set aside for descendants of the land to bury their whenua or placenta, as is customary practice.