Unity of effort a key to lifting Maori economic performance   16 Feb 2018

A strong partnership between central Government, Maori business and whanau, and their partners in the wider community, is essential to further boosting Maori economic performance, says Maori Development Minister Nanaia Mahuta.

In speech notes for an address to the National Maori Business Networks and Maori Enterprises Conference, Te Hekenga III, in Tauranga last week, the minister said improving the lives of all whanau and addressing inequality were a key part of the Government’s priorities.

“There is significant scope to raise the contribution of the Maori economy, for example, through iwi-led business initiatives such as the ones successfully carried out by the likes of Ngai Tahu and Waikato-Tainui.

“Besides improving the well-being and security of whanau, this will benefit New Zealand as a whole. What’s good for Maori is good for the rest of New Zealand.”

But Nanaia Mahuta said an important element of achieving better whanau development outcomes is successful smaller-scale whanau enterprise, noting that small-to-medium Maori enterprises – employers or self-employed Maori - make up a large portion of the growing Maori economy.

“A growing body of evidence tells us when you build up whanaungatanga, the strength of quality whanau relationships, Maori get much better outcomes across the board.”

Nanaia Mahuta noted that the biggest current Maori contribution to the wider econ­omy is Maori earning salaries and wages, and with a young Maori population, this contribution will significantly increase over the next 20 years.

She said Maori already have the inherent skill, knowledge and passion to do even better in the economy. “All of us here have a critical part to play, and a responsibility, to unleash that potential, connect it to practical support and make it a soaring reality for us all to enjoy.”

Nanaia Mahuta outlined a series of steps for further success by Maori businesses, including working together, innovating in areas of established strength and boosting capability.

“The Government is committed to doing its bit in building capability in Maori business, leadership and governance to improve economic and social outcomes for Maori – with a focus on rangatahi to ensure future success.”

The government’s Crown-Maori strategy for Maori economic development He kai kei aku ringa sets some ambitious targets for Maori progress from 2017 to 2021 – with the overarching goal being to increase Maori median income by 20 per cent.

“When we all work together – Government, Maori business and whanau and our partners in the wider community – all of our aspirations stand a greater, more powerful chance of truly being achieved.”