Cultivating Northland’s Future Business Leaders

When I reflect on The Pick 2025, what stands out isn’t just the innovation, energy, or clever business ideas – it’s the beautiful and courageous people. The creativity and transformation I witnessed over those 10 weeks reaffirm why this is one of Northland’s most impactful business coaching initiatives.

Many of the participants came in tentatively, feeling the fear and unsure if their idea was ‘good enough.’ I watched them stand taller, speak with more certainty, and begin to really back themselves. Even better, they backed each other – encouraging, celebrating, and lifting one another every step of the way.

Georgia Keys, MAED Innovations and winner of The Pick ’25, reflected ‘I’ve walked out with so much more. It gave me the energy and ability to know what I’m doing is right. It was more than just a programme … I didn’t think it was going to take me on a journey to find myself and make such strides personally.’

The Pick is about backing emerging business leaders with raw potential and big visions – many of whom had never stepped into a formal business space before, let alone accessed this kind of support.

At its core, the programme takes a hands-on, participant-led approach, with a strong focus on validating real ideas, solving real problems, and building values-based businesses.

This year, over half of the cohort were women, and more than 60% identified as Pakihi Māori – a clear signal of where our entrepreneurial spirit currently sits. Combine this with a refreshed delivery model, led by a strong cross-organisational approach and supported by awesome sponsorship, it was a powerful recipe for success.

Northland has long wrestled with the quiet weight of tall poppy syndrome – where standing out can feel unsafe and unsupported. The Pick flips this script. It celebrates ambition, originality, and the kind of ideas that don’t always have a ready-made roadmap. It’s about saying yes to passion, yes to potential, and yes to new voices.

The Pick is so much more than a start-up accelerator. It really is a launchpad for aspiring entrepreneurs to gain clarity, confidence, and community.

If we’re serious about creating a thriving regional economy, we must keep nurturing a culture of entrepreneurism – one that lifts people up, not cuts them down. The Pick is doing just this. It’s helping Northlanders believe in their ideas, believe in themselves, and bring their visions to life.
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And Te Tai Tokerau Northland is better for it.