Keti Marsh-Solomon
2023 Cohort
Pronouns: ia
Keti is growing the capacity of wahine Māori leaders, focusing on creating opportunities for them to collaboratively represent their cultural perspective, rights and existence at the economic table.
Keti is based in Waikato and is of Ngāti Toro, Ngāti Ueoneone, and Te Uri Taniwha (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou) descent. She holds the role of Te Poumua (Principal Strategic Adviser) at Te Pae Roa a tikanga Māori support and investment connector for Te Taitokerau, where she leads significant projects and collaborations. Keti is motivated by future-oriented leadership, creating practical and ethical strategies to achieve milestones, and assisting whānau in establishing a track record of success.
Her expertise spans developing relationship and partnership models, forming teams grounded in tikanga Māori, deep origination and strategic business development. She is skilled at working with Crown agencies and funders, advocating for balanced power dynamics and fair resource allocation.
Keti's work ethic and worldview are shaped by her unique upbringing in the urban vibrancy of Otara, South Auckland, and her "triangle of belonging" in Hokianga, Taiamai, and Kaikohe. Her greatest achievements are raising kind and conscious children and being able to build intergenerational kaupapa alongside her loving husband and wider whānau. Her whānau support in her lifelong learning journey, both locally and internationally, fuels her dedication to continuing their legacy in driving social change.
“Beyond participating, Māori women in leadership are rebuilding local economies and are at the forefront of an emerging Indigenous economy.”
Social change work
Keti’s social change project aims to raise the capacity of professional Māori women in regional economic leadership. This effort goes beyond mere participation in contemporary economics; it's a call to unveil a transformative pathway that reflects the unique history, values, responsibilities and talents of Ngāpuhi women. The idea is to rejuvenate and amplify existing power through exchanging stories and insights, focusing on codifying traditional and new knowledge that guides kāinga (communities) towards the realm of possibilities.