Local Maori students are being congratulated for their entrepreneurship.

A dozen polytechnic and university students have taken part in a dragon's den-style business contest.

The competition ended a month-long programme, which was run in conjunction with Te Puni Kokiri.

It's the second year the programme has been held in Dunedin.

It aims to foster a culture of Maori entrepreneurship among local tertiary students and the wider community.

The university's school of business, research and enterprise supports the initiative, as does its office of Maori development.