About MDRC
MDRC is a virtual organisation for Maori development companies, organisations, facilitators, practitioners, consultants, researchers, scholars and students. It provides timely, regularly updated information, resources and research about Maori development.
MDRC is one of the few authentic, Maori-owned Centres of Research and the only one to operate as a virtual organisation.
MDRC aims to build a research community in Maori development and has a special interest in supporting small Maori professional businesses, contractors and freelancers. Through MDRC, they will be able to:
4 Promote themselves and their work
4 Develop a presence online
4 Create virtual offices
4 Form network collaborations
4 Find relevant Maori development research resources
4 Find professional development information
4 Find relevant business development information
4 Publish reports on their work
4 Access information about contracts for tender
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Companies, organisations, government departments, Maori communities, or individuals looking for Maori development professionals will have two ways of locating the people they need. They will be able to advertise their needs at the Centre or they will be able to search the directory of members. |
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The principle behind making contract information and resources available to all, whether or not they are MDRC members, is based on Kaupapa Maori. Ultimately, when a Maori individual, organisation or company is commissioned for a project related to Maori development, then all Maori win. Offering commissioners a choice raises the standards for Maori professionals while, at the same time, levelling the field for all potential contractors with access to the information The truism, knowledge is power, is particularly relevant for small Maori businesses, contractors and freelancers in the competitive contracting market.
Operations
MDRC went online on 10 January 2005 offering free Maori Development information, resources and membership services. It is intended as a centrepoint of operations for people involved in Maori Development.
MDRC endeavours as much as possible to source NZ-based content, services and products. NZ-owned sites, organisations and companies have been prioritised and referred to wherever possible.
MDRC’s concept, planning and creation were developed by the Director, Adelaide Collins. Adelaide is a Social Science Research specialist of Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki and Waikato descent.
