Talofa lava, kia ora tātou, and welcome to our second instalment of the 🌿WHĀKĀ-6 Framework™ Pillars series. Today, we explore Whakatōhea / Va - the power of collective responsibility and relational space in creating businesses where prosperity is shared and communities thrive.

Beyond Individual Gain: The Indigenous Principle of Collective Prosperity

Most traditional business models prioritise individual achievement and short-term profit. Pacific, Māori, and global entrepreneurs who embrace the 🌿WHĀKĀ-6 Framework™ apply Whakatōhea / Va, centring community, long-term relational value, and stakeholder capitalism in every major decision.

Whakatōhea / Va represents community-centred, stakeholder-first models where value is distributed, success is shared, and collaboration is a competitive advantage. Through genuine partnership and relational thinking, commercial outcomes and cultural impacts rise together.

The Four Pillars of Whakatōhea / Va

1. Stakeholder-First Decision Making

Business decisions honour all affected parties, from clients and suppliers to extended aiga, whānau, and cultural partners.

Practical Application:

• Create stakeholder advisory councils featuring kaumātua (elders) and respected Pacific elders.

• Include community benefit clauses in contracts and agreements.

• Use collaborative discussion (hui / Pacific talanoa) for key decisions.

2. Collective Ownership and Shared Prosperity

Business structures reflect distributed ownership, profit-sharing, and the value of collaborative networks across aiga/fale and whānau.

• Develop employee and community share schemes.

• Allocate profit portions to cultural and community initiatives.

• Foster long-term partnerships with diverse, indigenous suppliers.

3. Inclusive Dialogue and Decision Practices

Honour multiple perspectives, prioritising consensus and the importance of relational space (Va).

• Invite feedback from stakeholders and community groups.

• Co-create products or services with direct involvement from key partners.

• Host regular talanoa/hui forums for continuous improvement.

4. Community Benefit Integration

Commercial growth creates tangible impact for all, investing in intergenerational wellbeing and cultural knowledge transmission.

• Launch local job and skills programmes.

• Mentorship schemes for emerging Pacific and Māori entrepreneurs.

• Support for cultural, linguistic, and education initiatives.

Implementing Whakatōhea / Va in Your Business

• Map Stakeholder Relationships: Identify every group impacted by your business choices and strengthen these ties.

• Design Governance Systems: Integrate collective decision making and relational space at every organisational level.

• Develop Profit-Sharing Models: Ensure success is distributed, empowering communities and strengthening loyalty.

• Measure Community Impact: Track cultural, social, and economic outcomes beyond financial profit.

Case Study: Whakatōhea / Va in Action

A Pacific-owned company puts Whakatōhea / Va at its heart:

• Board includes respected elders and community leaders.

• Projects fund local youth leadership programmes.

• Supplier networks feature both Māori and Pacific businesses.

• Annual initiatives invest back into aiga/fale and local communities.

The result: increased retention, stronger relationships, premium reputation for authenticity, and demonstrable social benefit.

The Competitive Advantage of Collective Responsibility

Businesses with Whakatōhea / Va:

• Enjoy deeper stakeholder trust and higher loyalty statistics.

• Stand out for authentic, culturally-grounded collaboration.

• Unlock innovation through diverse perspectives and community engagement.

• Are resilient in times of change thanks to relational networks and broad-based support.

Your Next Steps: Implementing Whakatōhea / Va

• Week 1: Map stakeholders and host a talanoa/hui to gather views.

• Week 2: Build/strengthen your advisory board with community representation.

• Week 3: Design or expand profit-sharing/community benefit initiatives.

• Week 4: Measure outcomes and refine for inclusiveness and impact.

Transform Your Business Through Shared Wisdom

🌿WHĀKĀ-6 Framework™ empowers businesses to move beyond transactional models to genuine, shared prosperity. Whakatōhea / Va is a powerful foundation for leaders focused on real impact, legacy, and global Indigenous collaboration.

Ready to elevate your organisation’s relational success? Join the Digital Business Hub community where Pacific, Māori, and global entrepreneurs share proven frameworks for partnership-driven enterprise. Book your complimentary 15-minute consultation to explore Whakatōhea / Va for your leadership journey.

This article is part of our 🌿WHĀKĀ-6 Framework™ series. Next week: Whakamana / Tautua - Leadership as Empowerment and Service. Subscribe for updates.

About Dr James Pratt: With 20+ years in culturally responsive entrepreneurship, James empowers global leaders to drive profit and purpose through the proprietary 🌿WHĀKĀ-6 Framework™. Connect with James on LinkedIn.