What Kā te Rama Means for Switched On Group

Switched On Group were formally gifted a te reo Māori name, Kā te Rama,
by iwi partners Ngāti Toa Rangatira at an event on 29 November.

Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira Pou Tikanga Dr Te Taku Parai and Tumu Whakarae
Helmut Karewa Modlik led the Group’s Ōtautahi-based team through a ceremony
to celebrate the taonga, and shared kōrero about its significance.

“Kā te Rama comes from a well-known whakatauākī (proverb) within Ngāti Toa Rangatira:
‘ka oho te wairua’. This speaks to the aspirations of wellbeing we strive for as an iwi and
reminds of what is most important – people,” Dr. Parai explains.

 Kā te Rama literally translates to ‘the light burns’ and has a strong correlation to the
metaphor ‘switched on’. The name signifies the strengthening of the Group’s partnership
with Ngāti Toa Rangatira, since the iwi became 50% shareholders in September 2021.

“Partnering with Switched On Group is a significant step on our journey to make a difference
in our community as an iwi. Everything we do is focused on the wellbeing, prosperity and mana
of all people within our tribal boundaries, particularly those who are most vulnerable. Switched
On Group shares this focus and the gift of Kā te Rama reflects our strong sense of shared values," Modlik says.

Switched On Group Chief Executive Chris Hughes says that Kā te Rama is a significant milestone
in the Group’s transformation and that it lays a foundation for moving forward with a shared history and purpose.

“As we work together to scale our impact in Aotearoa, Kā te Rama reminds us that we all
contribute to lighting the way forward as a Group. Through this partnership we can become
stronger, diversify our work, and scale our mahi and contribution to the communities we serve.
As our Chair Paul Rogers puts it: Kā te Rama illuminates Switched On,” he says.

Kā te Rama is just part of the continued evolution of Switched On Group to meet changing
construction sector and community needs. Across 2023, the Group’s transformation will be
ramping up to support the clients, whānau and hapori the Group serves.

The Group is already seeing opportunities in new markets as a result of becoming Amotai
Registered and the iwi partnership will also create greater capability in delivering social
housing projects, and training and career opportunities.