Stories from Te Tairāwhiti: Where heritage meets innovation

Welcome to part five of our blog series, highlighting the mahi of Tāiki E! Impact House and the Te Tairāwhiti Digital Equity Collective, supported by InternetNZ’s community funding.

These are the stories of digital equity shaped on the whenua of Te Tairāwhiti, the East Cape of the North Island — home to Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki, Rongowhakaata, and Ngāi Tāmanuhiri in Tūranga-nui-a-Kiwa Gisborne, carried north by the awa Waiapu of Ngāti Porou, and along the rugged coastline of Te Whānau-a-Apanui

Launchpad for East Coasters

“Kia ora, I’m Lily, kaitiaki of the Tolaga Bay Inn, the last historical inn on the East Coast.”

Standing in the glow of the lights at the Tāiki E! Impact House Digital Equity Showcase in Tūranganui-a-Kiwa Gisborne, Lily grins. “I hate the limelight, whānau… but anyway.”

We all laugh, but we’re listening closely — because what’s happening at the Tolaga Bay Inn is inspiring. 

We’ve gathered here to listen, learn, and celebrate some of the initiatives emerging from our collaboration.

The Tolaga Bay Inn is just one of those success stories. 

Once a humble coastal stopover, the 130-year-old inn has been transformed into a thriving social enterprise and digital innovation hub — a place where the old walls are now wrapped around new ideas. Under founder Lily Stender’s watch, the inn has become a launchpad for East Coasters to explore technology, entrepreneurship, and digital pathways that reach far beyond Uawa. Why? Because…

“We’re sick of struggling. Technology gives us a pathway out of those statistics — the negative ones. It gives us access to better-paid jobs and real opportunities,” says Lily.

Connecting globally, creating locally

The Hub is a place where locals are learning the tools of today — AI, Google Analytics, Shopify, and remote work systems. Weekly workshops in-house and online connect tamariki, pakeke and rangatahi with mentors and tech experts across Aotearoa and overseas. They’re supporting some people “off the benefit,” says Lily. 

“The path isn’t tech for tech’s sake, but tech as a lever for entrepreneurship, livelihoods and community resilience.”

That’s what grounds their mahi. 

“It’s not just about being online; it’s about dignity, possibility, and our community staying connected and empowered in a changing world.”

It’s working. With the support of the Te Tairāwhiti Digital Equity Collective, the Tolaga Bay Innovation Hub has helped establish new tech hubs from Hicks Bay to Wairoa, providing donated computers, Zoom equipment, and TVs to support online learning along the coast.

The Hub also facilitates the Evergreen Fund — an initiative established well before InternetNZ’s involvement — offering low-interest loans and mentoring that have helped more than 20 Māori-owned businesses generate over $2.5 million in revenue.

Learning, leadership, and connection

Among the Hub’s powerhouse team is Hayley Waitoa, who leads much of the community’s online learning and mentoring that keeps the kaupapa moving. A participant of the Tolaga Evergreen Fund, Hayley is based in Ruatōria and has successfully established her own virtual administration business, Tairanui Administration.

Hayley is also part of the wider Collective, helping to establish the new learning hubs across the rohe. Her approach is hands-on and heart-led. She sits alongside people as they explore new tools, build confidence, and discover what’s possible. 

Over the past few months, Hayley has been running a series of six weekly online sessions, with around 30 participants signing up. The workshops have covered a range of topics, including financial literacy, Xero accounting software, Canva, Google Workspace, online safety, ChatGPT, and even Shopify, for whānau keen to start selling online.

“And yes, I know all of that is already on YouTube, but for our people, it’s not just about the content. It’s about having a real person, in real time, to connect with. That’s where the trust builds."

For this tight-knit community, digital inclusion is as much about connection as it is about capability.

"Sometimes it’s about holding space, not just transferring information."

That ripple effect keeps spreading. Lily and Hayley are humble, grounded and determined — the true heartbeat of this kaupapa. 

As Lily emphasises:

“It’s about the shift from ‘how do we survive’ to ‘how do we connect globally, create locally, and own our futures.”

Next up — part 6: Kaumātua confidence and a new digital lens

Our second-to-last blog in the series focuses on two pieces of mahi that show the breadth of innovation in Te Tairāwhiti: the Alexa workshops for kaumātua, and the Collective’s ecosystem mapping tool. Together, they reveal how practical support and strategic vision are working hand-in-hand across the rohe.

InternetNZ funding 

These projects and partnerships are made possible through funding from our community grants programme, supported by revenue from the sale of .nz domain names. When you choose a .nz for your website, you’re helping fund initiatives like these, supporting digital equity and innovation across Aotearoa.