Local whānau business recognised at Amotai awards
Ka mau te wehi, we would like to acknowledge local whānau business, Tito Group Limited who were recently nominated as one of the finalists for the annual Amotai Supplier Diversity Awards in Auckland. This category recognises businesses that have experienced growth as a result of their involvement with Amotai and have used this growth to make a positive impact on local Māori and Pasifika economies. Amotai is the supplier diversity intermediary for Aotearoa New Zealand. Their focus is to connect Māori and Pasifika business to buyers with contract opportunities. These business and suppliers can join Amotai for free.
Tito Group is a local whānau-owned electrical business based in Porirua. The business was founded by Ngāti Toa iwi member Malcolm Tito in 2004 and is now managed by his son’s Jared and Levi. The business has grown from a two person crew to a trusted team of thirteen delivering mahi across housing, rail, streetlighting, and public infrastructure projects throughout the rohe. They are recognised for their dependability, skill, and humility. Their growth is guided by the principle of Mana Motuhake, maintaining their independence while upholding the legacy of whānau and tupuna, striving for excellence and inspiring others. Through their mahi, they aim to leave a legacy that empowers future generations.
Since joining Amotai in 2022 the business has not only enhanced its capability but also gained confidence through networking and sharing experiences with like-minded businesses that share the same values. Jared believes that this partnership has been a natural fit, with an emphasis on whanaungatanga and manaakitanga aligns perfectly with how they do business. Over the past two years the business has evolved from a small subcontractor into a lead contractor delivering major infrastructure projects directly to Kāinga Ora, KiwiRail, Porirua City Council, Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira and strategic subcontract partnerships with John Fillmore Contracting and Fulton Hogan.
Jared explains that the transition has required the business to strengthen their internal systems, refine their health and safety, quality assurance, project planning, and workforce development processes. As a result, they have grown their team and stepped into larger, more complex roles. The business works closely with Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatahi, Mahi Toa and have recently taken on two iwi rangatahi apprentices.
Jared believes, Amotai has played a crucial role in facilitating this growth. Prior to joining in 2022, their work often flew under the radar of larger buyers. With support from Amotai, the business gained visibility, credibility, and access to new opportunities. Buyers began to understand the business’s capability and trust them with greater scope and responsibility.
Tito Group has always stayed closely connected to their community, actively looking for ways to give back. They support local rangatahi through sports sponsorships, which include, Toa rugby and Toa league teams, and this year they proudly sponsor the Mana College 1st XV.
Jared Tito believes that these contributions help provide positive outlets and leadership opportunities for young people in our rohe.
Jared explains “a recent highlight was working alongside our local Rūnanga to install pou carved by one of our uncles many years ago. We needed a civil crew to prepare the site, we stepped in and brought in another Amotai supplier to complete. We also regularly turn up for working bees at our marae, kōhanga reo, and kura Māori. Whether we’re cleaning the wharenui or fixing roof flashings, we show up not just as tradies, but as iwi members with the gear and skills to help our people thrive. We participate in local planting days and bring our tamariki along to instil a hands-on understanding of kaitiakitanga. It’s important they see how to care for our whenua in practice. These contributions are woven into the way we do business—led by values, grounded in culture, and always with community at the heart”.