As an ongoing journey, the story of Māori development encompasses themes of industry, industriousness, enterprise, threat, struggle, challenge, adaptation, and creative rejuvenation through flair and innovative enterprise. (Walker, 1998, Durie, 1998, Puketapu, 2000, Henare, 2002, 2003). One of the major current and future challenges Māori organisations face will include the ability to re-configure fluid social arrangements that move beyond structuralist politics of domination, whilst remaining effective in the delivery of sustainable economic enterprise outcomes.

The purpose of this discussion is to elucidate the changing nature of the "collective" self in the strive for self-determination in contemporary Maori society. It argues that it is often within collective social arrangements that individuals enact much of what they aspire to be and become in the broader sense of nation building. In the context of contemporary Maori organisations, transformation occurring at macro and micro levels impacts the strategic orientation of organisations, influencing sustainable enterprise initiatives in different ways. It suggests that "cultural value systems" continue to provide continuity and cultural orientation, enhancing the notions of sustainable enterprise.

Rachel's tribal affiliations include Te Aupouri and Whakatohea. Her father comes from Tonga. She has an enduring interest in the nature of Maori and Pacific Innovation, Enterprise and organisations. Rachel holds undergraduate and post-graduate degrees in Commerce (International Business and Management) from the University of Auckland and is submitting her PhD in 2005. She has taught in the Faculty of Business since 2000 as a lecturer in Organisational Behaviour and Maori Enterprise. She is the Board Member for Pou Kapua Creations (a contemporary Maori organisation involved in carving a traditional "Pou" that is approximately 80 ft high and made from ancient kauri) and a Strategic Development Advisor for Ki Te Reo International Limited a "whanau business" developing culturally enhanced hardware and software in the IT industry. She has consulted and assisted in strategic planning and development for a range of Maori organisations.