Kaha Create was born from a simple but powerful observation: communities across Aotearoa possess incredible mātauranga and expertise, yet struggle with sustainable funding while this knowledge remains locked away or disappears entirely. Meanwhile, those who need this wisdom most - rangatahi, whānau, and emerging communities - often can't access it due to geographic, financial, or time barriers.
We saw technology being used to extract value from communities rather than build them up. We decided to create something different.
We exist to create alternative funding streams for communities while preserving and sharing mātauranga on their own terms.
Our platform doesn't just enable knowledge sharing - it builds ecosystem connections. When a kaumātua shares traditional knowledge, when a community leader documents successful initiatives, when rangatahi create content that serves their peers, they're not just creating resources. They're building pathways for others to follow and creating sustainable income for their kaupapa.
Every knowledge hub becomes a connector in a larger network, facilitating relationships between mentors and rangatahi, communities and councils, traditional knowledge holders and contemporary practitioners.
We operate under the guidance of our Cultural Advisory Board, ensuring every major platform decision respects tikanga and serves community needs. This isn't consultation—it's shared governance.
Our success is measured by community success. We commit to:
Revenue sharing with ecosystem development - Platform profits fund rangatahi pathway initiatives and community connector programmes
Open decision-making processes - Community input on feature development and platform direction
Accessible pricing models - Including koha-based options and community sponsorship programmes
Data sovereignty - Your mātauranga is treated like the taonga it is (read more here)
We're already seeing this vision come to life:
Council-iwi partnerships where local government sponsors knowledge hubs for their mana whenua partners
Rangatahi leadership development through peer-to-peer learning and mentorship connections
Community organisation networks sharing resources and creating collective alternative funding streams
Our AI-powered platform respects cultural protocols:
Community consent mechanisms for cultural content (in progress)
Access control tools that honor restriction and seasonal protocols
Attribution systems that maintain whakapapa of knowledge
Cultural integrity protection preventing misuse or appropriation
We built this technology to serve communities, not the other way around.
Imagine a network where:
Kaumātua can share wisdom safely, knowing it reaches those who need it most
Community organisations generate sustainable funding while scaling their impact
Councils and government can genuinely support iwi partners with tools they control
Rangatahi have pathways to learn, earn, and lead in their communities
Knowledge flows where it's needed most while remaining protected and respected
This isn't just a platform. It's infrastructure for community resilience and growth.
We're building more than technology. We're creating a movement for community-controlled alternative funding, ecosystem development, and rangatahi empowerment.
Whether you're a knowledge holder wanting to share your expertise, a community organisation seeking sustainable funding, or a rangatahi ready to create your own pathway - there's a place for you in this ecosystem.
Ready to build community wealth through shared mātauranga?
Kaha Create is Māori-owned, community-governed, and committed to keeping your mātauranga under your control. Join us in creating the alternative funding ecosystem our communities deserve.
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