Commercial and non profits and brand owners are seeking to use Māori names and objects, yet are not sure what is appropriate or where to seek assistance.

We have seen in the media that some brand owners are publicly harassed and told they are appropriating Māori culture, when in many cases the accusations are unfounded with no understanding of the brand other than a non Māori is using te reo Māori.

Therefore I provide a detailed report for business start ups, brand owners and non Māori who want to use a Māori in their products and branding. Included in the report are key phrases that you can use if questioned.

I offer these reports for a flat fee of $399.00 plus GST pursuant to my terms of engagement. This includes an optional 15 minute Zoom meeting to meet with you.

Please use the Contact Form to contact me.

 

Useful resources

I have produced a free Māori Cultural Branding Guidelines that may be useful before engaging with me. Also IPONZ have a useful Māori guidelines publication https://www.iponz.govt.nz/get-ip/trade-marks/practice-guidelines/current/maori-advisory-committee-and-maori-trade-marks/ 

Two former brand owners who I have assisted and publicly share my advise are:

1. My Whānau an Australian company https://www.mywhanau.com.au/
2.  Hapū Helpers a New Zealand organisation who initially received unfair criticism and poor advice  until I assisted https://hapuhelpers.co.nz  
3. A collection of posts I have written about cultural appropriation, noting my earlier posts with UK Craft beer brewers resulted in significant decline of appropriation in the industry and New Zealand guidelines were created.

 

Selected media articles I have commented in over the past 2 years.

A complete list of media engagements here

1. Kiwi gin company ditches ‘offensive’ bottle brand after online outrage –view– NZ Herald
2. Frizzell’s ‘moko man’ still causing grief but pop artist unrepentant –view– Te Waha Nui
3. ‘I kind of feel like the mother hen’: Who is millionaire philanthropist Chloe Wright? –view– Stuff
4. Is Prince Harry’s Travalyst campaign cultural appreciation or appropriation? –view– Newshub
5. Is Prince Harry’s Travalyst campaign cultural appreciation or appropriation? –view– Newshub
6. New Brussels Beer Project beer raises hackles in New Zealand –view– The Brussels Times
7. Bad taste bedspread needs copyright correction –view– Radio Waatea
8. White Czech dancers are accused of ‘racism’ and ‘cultural appropriation’ after performing a ceremonial haka with imitation Māori tattoos – as critics say it’s the equivalent to ‘blackface’ –view– Daily Mail

 

Disclaimer: I am a member of the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand Māori Advisory committee. If I advise you on a brand that you intend to register a Trade Mark for, I will declare a conflict of interest and will not participate in the committees decision.