Encouraging the phenomenal growth in the Maori economy   3 Sep 2014

Encouraging the phenomenal growth in the Maori economy

As the only independent Maori voice in Parliament, the Maori Party’s economic development policy is unashamedly focused on growing the Maori economy.

Hauraki Waikato candidate Susan Cullen launched the Party’s Maori Economic Development Policy today at Raukura Hauora ki Tainui in Hamilton. She says there’s much the Government can do to nurture the multitude of Maori enterprises that make up the more than $37 billion Maori economy.

“We know the Maori economy is growing at three times the rate of the New Zealand economy and more Maori businesses are ready to trade overseas. We’d like to establish a Maori Trade Expert Desk at New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) to support Maori businesses and protect the integrity of the Maori Inc brand,” says Ms Cullen.

The Maori Party also wants Maori representation in all NZTE offices around the world so there is a concerted effort to get more Maori trading overseas.

“As a partner in Government, the Maori Party has already created opportunities for Maori businesses to promote themselves on a world stage like the 2011 Rugby World Cup but we’d like to see a more permanent and ongoing commitment from the next Government”, says Ms Cullen.

The Maori Party facilitated the completion of the Maori Economic Development Strategy and a stock-take of the Maori economy. It wants to achieve the six key goals in the Maori Economic Development Action Plan (2012-2017) which include greater educational participation and performance by Maori, a skilled and successful workforce, increased financial literacy and savings and active discussions about the development of natural resources.

Ms Cullen recognises small and medium-sized Maori businesses play a major role in the Maori economy and in the wellbeing of whanau.

“We want to encourage sustainable enterprise at all levels and in all sectors. So we would like to see more financial literacy programmes specifically for Maori busineses and whanau as well as a one-off exemption on Maori land ratings to enable unproductive land to be developed. Maori economic development is about developing Maori people and their natural resources in a sustainable way for the wellbeing of whanau.

For a copy of the full Maori economic policy, go online to maoriparty.org/our-policies

For media interviews, contact Susan Cullen on 027 766 5673

Background on Susan Cullen

Susan Cullen (Ngati Maniapoto) has worked in the community for over 25 years, specifically in Maori and tribal education and development.

While Cullen holds several academic qualifications and awards, and is credited for founding the innovative distance learning systems for Te Wananga o Aotearoa, she is also well versed in supporting businesses, industries and job creation having been an advisor to Government both here in Aotearoa and internationally.

The education programme Mahi Ora that she developed has been adapted and exported to Australia. Ms Cullen with her husband also owns dairy operations in Southland.

Her electorate Hauraki-Waikato includes both city, rural remote and coastal communities, with its main economic sectors based in agriculture, manufacturing, hospitality, healthcare, retail and professional services.

ends

Add a comment