In many Māori and Pasifika entities, the kaupapa is strong — but the numbers don’t always follow suit.
Whether you’re managing an iwi trust, a Pacific enterprise, or a kaupapa-based organisation, robust financial reporting is more than just a compliance checkbox. It’s how you protect your people, your legacy, and your future funding.
Here are five reporting gaps we frequently see — and what you can do about them.
The Gap:
Too many boards rely on historical data. Reports are generated monthly, sometimes quarterly — often too late to catch cash flow issues or overspending.
The Fix:
Use cloud-based systems like Xero with real-time dashboards. Integrate forecasting tools and review them monthly. Your kaimahi and governors should be able to see the financial health of your organisation at a glance.
The Gap:
Many entities run multiple kaupapa at once — housing, education, marae upgrades, social services — but don’t track income and expenses by project.
The Fix:
Set up your chart of accounts with cost centres tied to each kaupapa. This not only simplifies reporting for funders, it shows your stakeholders exactly where the pūtea is going and what impact it’s having.
The Gap:
Boards receive reports that vary in format, content, and clarity. Some are heavy on numbers, light on context. Others miss key metrics or risk flags.
The Fix:
Create a governance reporting pack template. It should include:
The Gap:
Audit season arrives and the scramble begins. Supporting documents are missing, reconciliations are incomplete, and funder reporting isn’t aligned.
The Fix:
Build audit prep into your BAU. Use a shared audit checklist, reconcile monthly, and document processes as you go. Treat your year-end like a marathon, not a sprint.
The Gap:
Strategy lives in one document. Budgets live in another. And the team executing the mahi often doesn’t see either.
The Fix:
Connect the dots. Your reporting should link dollars to outcomes. Are you spending in line with your mission? Are your strategic goals reflected in your budget? Financials should tell your impact story — not just your spend.
Financial reporting isn’t just about ticking boxes. It’s about building trust — with funders, whānau, and your own people.
By closing these five gaps, you strengthen your position, protect your kaupapa, and set your organisation up for long-term success.