Driving growth: How a finance project helped a non-profit unlock its potential and inspired students to make real change

For Mat Mullany, CEO of Napier-based non-profit organisation Te Taiwhenua o Te Whanganui ā Orotu, the chance to sponsor an industry project for the Business School’s Master of Applied Finance programme held immediate appeal.

“The opportunity to glean new insights to improve our long-term investment strategy and financial reporting seemed too good to pass up,” he recalls.

The industry project is a key part of the Master of Applied Finance programme and takes place in the final quarter of students’ studies. Student teams are matched with an organisation, working with them to address a finance-related challenge or opportunity. It’s a win-win experience: the organisations gain valuable insights and fresh perspectives from a group of motivated and enthusiastic students, while the students gain essential hands-on experience working with a real business, enabling them to put their learnings into practice.

Te Taiwhenua supports its marae and hapū in areas including health, education, employment, housing and the environment, working in partnership with central and local government. The organisation wanted to develop a better understanding of their long-term financial health and identify opportunities to expand and diversify its revenue streams. “We asked the students to think about the nature of our business, our risk profile and strategic goals,” explains Mat.

The team of five spent ten weeks reviewing Te Taiwhenua’s financial information, conducting a peer organisation comparison and researching alternative revenue opportunities. Working with an organisation based outside of Auckland added another layer of complexity to the project, remembers team member Stella Yin. “It was hard to get to know the organisation at the beginning, and because we could only communicate by email or through online meetings, there were delays in communication.”

However, all relished the opportunity to flex their newly developed financial skills. “We explored various approaches to identify the most effective solution for the client, drawing on insights from our classes,” recalls team member Sangyoung Kim. “This practical application of theoretical concepts not only deepened our understanding but also made the project significantly more engaging and impactful.”

The project concluded with the team travelling to Napier to present their findings to Te Taiwhenua’s leaders and board members. The students’ report was “excellent”, says Mat. “It helped us to step back from our day-to-day and understand the overall financial health of the organisation, highlighting positive results as well as areas for improvement. The report also benchmarked our performance against local peer organisations, which was very useful, and identified opportunities for future revenue.”

The payoff was just as profound for the students. “Through this experience, I gained practical exposure to collaborative problem-solving, stakeholder communication, and data-driven decision-making,” observes team member Pronpitcha Chakrityanupakrit, who embarked on the Master of Applied Finance programme to build knowledge and skills in practical finance. “The industry project has been invaluable in helping me move toward my career goals.”

Significantly, the benefits of this project for the students extended beyond gaining critical exposure to real-world business issues. “The Te Taiwhenua project was unique because it required students to consider both financial and non-financial factors, and there was a strong cultural dimension to the project,” notes Marco. “This presented additional challenges, but also a valuable opportunity to learn about approaches and perspectives to which students would otherwise not have been exposed.” 

The students were lucky enough to gain further cultural insights when they were treated to a tour of important cultural sites in the region after their presentation. “We wanted them to learn about the land, our ancestors and our aspirations to uplift the wellbeing and prosperity of our people,” explains Mat. It was an “eye-opening” experience, remembers Sangyoung. “It allowed us to see firsthand the impact of their work and deepened our understanding of the challenges and strengths of the communities they serve. The experience highlighted the strong connection between the Māori people and their land, reinforcing the importance of cultural heritage in shaping community development.”

Significantly, the industry project also enabled students to enhance their understanding of Aotearoa New Zealand’s business landscape, which was particularly useful for the international students on the team. “The industry project experience broadened our perspective,” observes Sangyoung. “We learned that there are also organisations and entities in New Zealand that place a greater emphasis on delivering quality services to their communities, rather than prioritising profit.”

But it wasn’t all hard work. “One of the most rewarding aspects of the programme was the opportunity to make new connections with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds,” reflects Sangyoung. “Collaborating on group projects with peers who brought different experiences enriched the learning process, highlighting how varied viewpoints can emerge from unique personal and professional backgrounds.” Stella agrees. “We made progress together. After more than a year of sharing learning experiences, we have become good friends.” 

Given the clear benefits that sponsoring an industry project has provided for Te Taiwhenua, Mat wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the experience to other organisations. 

As a result of the students’ report, Te Taiwhenua’s board has already approved a number of investment decisions which will enhance the growth of the organisation. It’s a clear validation of the project’s success, believes Sangyoung. “Even as students, we have the ability to provide something valuable to real businesses.”