The London-based Association of MBAs has named a business management programme for Maori leaders as the winner of its Inaugural Innovation Award.
The organisation accredits postgraduate business education qualifications in more than 70 countries.
The two-year programme for Maori leaders is a partnership between the Waikato-Tainui College for Research and Development and the University of Waikato's Management School.
It was one of four finalists alongside programmes from Portugal, the Netherlands and a joint French-American one.
The college's academic director, Sarah-Jane Tiakiwai, says the MBA was developed to foster indigenous ways of doing business.
She says the programme, which accepted its first intake of 24 students this year, includes mentoring support from Maori leaders.
Ms Tiakiwai says winning the award is a huge honour and a testament to the success of the college and the university working together.
