We’re building the place we wish existed.
Working from home gets lonely. Starting a company is hard. Building things is easier around other people doing the same. That’s why Te Au Pūngao exists.
The short version.
- We give founders somewhere to work.
- We introduce people who should know each other.
- We run events worth showing up to.
- We help good ideas become businesses.
Te Au Pūngao, “the current of energy,” was set up by Marlborough District Council to make all of this easier.
Vision
A Marlborough where ambitious people don’t have to leave to build something. Where the folks making things are in the same room, and better for it. And where good ideas from this region reach the rest of the world.
Mission
Make it easier to build something here. We back the people doing the hard part: early founders, side-projects that could be more, businesses ready to grow. And we stick around past the exciting bit.
Our values
Māuitanga
Innovation and excellence
We back people trying new things, and help them do it properly.
Whakamana
Empowerment and wellbeing
We give people what they need to grow, and look out for each other along the way.
Tūhono
Connection and collaboration
We introduce people who should know each other. Most good things here start with a conversation.
Kaitiakitanga
Sustainability and responsibility
We build for the long term: for the region, the people, and the place.
Strategic partnerships
We don’t do this alone. We work alongside industry, investors, and community organisations to open more doors for the people building here.
Startup Aotearoa, delivered in Marlborough
Te Au Pūngao is the local delivery partner for Startup Aotearoa, bringing the national programme’s founder support, connections, and resources home to the region.
About the programme →