How EY works with Māori & Pasifika-owned businesses

As a Kete Pounamu sponsor for Amotai’s #Navigate2023 Summit, EY has procured products and services from diverse-owned businesses for nearly 20 years. These diverse-owned businesses can be defined as being 51 per cent owned, operated, and controlled by individuals from minority, women, LGBTQ+, veterans, service-disabled veterans, people with disabilities, indigenous people, or as defined by the local country.

EY is dedicated to creating a better working world by fostering sustainable and inclusive economic growth. We took some time to learn more about EY New Zealand and their commitment to supplier diversity in Aotearoa.

What’s your company’s vision for procurement from Māori and Pasifika-owned businesses?

EY New Zealand is an active member of Amotai as an Aukōkiri member. We are committed to supporting Amotai as they support the Māori and Pasifika business sectors. We actively seek to identify, develop relationships with, and conduct business with Māori and Pasifika businesses as part of our supply chain service activities and aim to inspire them to be confident in their ability to help us think differently and solve our business needs.

Our commitment to supplier diversity extends from internal requirements to client deliverables. We strive to connect our clients with Māori and Pasifika businesses and support them on their own supplier diversity journeys. By introducing our clients to these diverse suppliers, we promote inclusive practices and ensure that our clients are engaged with our subcontractors, fostering a strong ecosystem of supplier diversity.

Why do you support supplier diversity as a business strategy?

We believe supplier diversity is essential for creating value and aligning with our company values. By increasing our spend with diverse suppliers, we demonstrate our commitment to social responsibility to a range of stakeholders, including customers, regulators, communities, employees, suppliers, industries, and competitors.

We prioritise partnering with suppliers who possess strong business continuity plans, resilience, and adaptability in a dynamic market, irrespective of their size. Diverse businesses encompass all these qualities and often exhibit greater agility compared to our larger suppliers.

Our clients increasingly expect us to contribute to society and the local economy. Embracing supplier diversity allows us to demonstrate our dedication to job creation and entrepreneurship in historically marginalised communities.

Our ultimate goal is to support diverse entrepreneurs in building economies worldwide. Our ESG programme offers mentoring, education, networking opportunities, and scholarships to accelerate the growth and knowledge of diverse suppliers.

Supplier diversity at EY is more than just a business strategy; it is a way to create value, uphold our company values, contribute to society, and empower diverse entrepreneurs globally.

How does Amotai’s mahi align with your company values?

The work carried out by Amotai strongly aligns with our company values at EY of building a better working world.

Our values define who we are as an organisation. In line with Amotai's mahi, we strive to build impactful relationships based on trust, integrity, and inclusion.

At EY, we encourage and support courageous advocacy for a fair, just, and equitable economy, aligning with Amotai's commitment to self-determination (mana motuhake).

Amotai shares our values of trust, integrity, and inclusion, and we believe in upholding the mana (dignity) of all people by caring, respecting, and supporting each other (manaakitanga).

Our Māori services firm EY Tahi has an overriding ethos to hāpaitia te iwi Māori, kia puāwai a pito mata – to accelerate Māori success. Our ongoing support for Amotai since its establishment stems from the strong alignment of our values, a vision for a fair and equitable economy and a desire to accelerate the success of diverse communities including Māori and Pasifika. Together, we aim to create positive change by fostering impactful relationships, advocating for self-determination, and upholding the dignity of all individuals.

What do you want Amotai supporters and advocates to know about your supplier diversity journey?

The EY journey in supplier diversity is characterised by our recognition that it is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Our global leader, Theresa Harrison, empowers each team member to lead and manage their programmes effectively, tailoring them to best assist the communities we serve. We are always delighted to meet new suppliers and learn more about their businesses, as collaborations and partnerships can often emerge unexpectedly. Being able to swiftly direct our EY teams to the right businesses when needed is of utmost importance to us.

We want Amotai supporters and advocates to understand that our supplier diversity journey is rooted in adaptability, learning, and fostering partnerships. We remain committed to building strong connections with diverse suppliers and supporting their growth while driving positive social and economic impact.

EY Wellington had a recent office fit-out done by Māori-owned architectural business, TOA. The culturally designed project engaged Mana Whenua, creating a workplace that weaved EY Global standards and Matauranga Māori together.