About Whakapapa Economics

A way to make relational and intergenerational value visible in practical decisions.

The purpose

Whakapapa Economics was developed to help make relational and intergenerational value visible in practical decision-making. It responds to a common problem: Māori and relationally intensive initiatives often create value that current impact methods do not fully see.

The roots

The framework works from older and deeper Māori concepts, including whakapapa, mana, mauri, manaakitanga, tauutuutu, kaitiakitanga, rangatiratanga and whanaungatanga. These concepts are not created by the framework. They sit within mātauranga, tikanga, scholarship and practice.

The applied contribution

The contribution of Whakapapa Economics is applied: it translates relational and intergenerational thinking into a practical structure for pathways, constructs, signals, evidence and value.

Authorship and stewardship

This website and method paper have been developed by Dr Jay Whitehead through Matatihi, drawing on Māori scholarship, evaluation practice, economic analysis and applied work with social impact, Māori organisations and public-sector decision contexts.

Matatihi applies Whakapapa Economics in real-world social impact, evaluation and value-accounting projects. Visit Matatihi.