Kā Te Rama Switched On Group putting community at the centre of every contract
In a sector where efficiency often takes precedence, Kā Te Rama Switched On Group is proving that people, whānau and communities can sit at the heart of commercial success, and that supplier diversity can be a daily practice.
As an Amotai-registered supplier, Kā Te Rama Switched On Group is forging a unique path - one where community outcomes, Māori enterprise, and long-term social impact are baked into their everyday operations across Aotearoa.
From whānau roots to iwi partnership
Originally founded in 1983 by the Hughes whānau in Christchurch, the business began as a small electrical operation supporting Housing New Zealand properties. Today, it’s a nationwide enterprise delivering social housing maintenance, commercial fit-outs, facilities maintenance and specialist interior projects through its diverse business units, including Switched On Housing, Switched On Building Solutions, and Hush Interiors.
Staff celebrate the gifting of the name Kā te Rama with Ngāti Toa Rangatira
But it’s the partnership with Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira, who hold majority shareholding, that marks a powerful turning point. The name Kā Te Rama, gifted by Ngāti Toa, comes from the whakatauākī (proverb) ‘ka oho te wairua’, which speaks to the importance of wellbeing and people. The name literally translates to ‘the light burns’, a reflection of the Group’s whakapapa and their purpose: ‘enhancing people’s environments’, to illuminate pathways for people, businesses and communities to thrive.
Bringing supplier diversity to life
That commitment shows up in everything they do, from who they hire to who they partner with. As an Amotai-registered supplier, Kā Te Rama Switched On Group actively prioritises working with and buying from Māori and Pasifika-owned businesses, not just in principle but in every tender.
“When we’re scoping projects in different regions, we always start by asking—who from the iwi networks can we bring into this mahi? Who are the local Amotai suppliers?” says Christian Smith (NgātiTūwharetoa, Ngāti Maniapoto), the Group’s Chief Operating Officer.
Whether it’s scaffolding, interior work, catering or community event support, the team looks first to local iwi and Amotai suppliers, then extends their search to wider Māori and Pasifika business networks like Whāriki and the Buy Māori Made Facebook page. One example is a Pōneke Whānau Housing Development in Porirua, where they engaged Rangitupu Group Ltd, an Amotai-registered scaffolding company with deep Ngāti Toa roots. “It’s not just about getting the job done, it’s about keeping that value within the community,” says Christian.
Scaling impact, one partnership at a time
And the results speak for themselves. Local suppliers are getting more work and more chances to grow. “We’ve seen sole operators scale up their capacity because of our local partnerships,” says Chief Growth Officer Emma Leslie.
“That ripple effect matters—it’s jobs, capability-building, and community reinvestment.”
Even when it’s not about trades, the commitment is the same. From sourcing kai from local Amotai caterers, to using the team’s own community BBQ trailers at fundraising events and school sports days, the kaupapa runs deep. “It’s about showing up where local people need us, not just as contractors, but as part of the community,” says Emma. Their teams go above and beyond, like driving hours to cook at a community sports day or connecting local initiatives with donated tools and supplies through their networks. "We’re in people’s homes and businesses doing work, of course we want to support the wider wellbeing of locals too,” she adds.
Caring for the community after Cyclone Gabrielle through kai.
Supplier diversity as business-as-usual
At Kā Te Rama Switched On, supplier diversity isn’t a special initiative, it’s business as usual. It’s embedded in tenders, procurement conversations, and community interactions. “Amotai is front and centre in all our collateral, our emails, our newsletters, our case studies. It’s a tohu that sets us apart,” says Christian.
It can also be a competitive advantage. In a procurement environment where government clients increasingly ask for evidence of Māori or Pasifika ownership and iwi affiliation, being an Amotai supplier and buying from so many other Amotai suppliers, ticks both boxes, and demonstrates integrity behind the commitment.
Looking ahead: growing the whānau
With their newly launched Switched On Facilities Management arm, Kā Te Rama Switched On is now expanding its facilities maintenance services for housing providers, retail and service brands, and education facilities, and that means even more opportunities for supplier diversity in action. “As we grow into new regions, we’ll continue using our Amotai and iwi networks to find great local partners,” says Emma.
The team is also encouraging other businesses, especially small trades and service providers—to get Amotai-registered, so they too can access bigger opportunities and scale their impact.
Celebrating Matariki with guests Te Kura Whakapūmau who shared their kapa haka skills and received a koha for their trip to a national competition.
For Kā Te Rama Switched On, it’s simple: when you centre people and purpose, good business follows. “There’s so much talent in our communities, often just down the road. You just have to look a little closer to find it. And when you do, the whole community benefits.”