Timmy Smith

Timmy Smith is a Māori entrepreneur, Indigenous trade strategist, and founder of PAUSE for Tea and Timmy Smith Ltd. Of Whakatōhea, Te Ūpokorehe, Te Arawa, and Ngāti Porou descent, she is passionate about creating trade that honours people, culture, and place.

For more than 25 years, Timmy has built businesses that weave together her reclaiming of her indigeneity, across wellbeing, tourism, hospitality, and international commerce. Through PAUSE for Tea, she is introducing premium New Zealand tea experiences into global markets while championing a model of Indigenous trade founded on reciprocity, relationships, and long-term value rather than extraction.

An experienced coach, speaker, and business leader, Timmy works with organisations and entrepreneurs to rethink how commerce can strengthen communities, protect culture, and create prosperity across generations. Her work demonstrates that Indigenous business is not founded on economic success alone; instead, it focuses on creating meaningful impact through connection, care, and sharing purpose.