A new approach to boosting Māori economic performance will benefit all New Zealanders, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Māori Affairs Minister Dr Pita Sharples say.

The Māori Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan, He Kai Kei Aku Ringa, provides a blueprint for a productive, innovative, and export-orientated Māori economy that will support better paying jobs and higher living standards.

Read the Ministers’ press release, the Chair’s press release and view the DVD that was prepared for the launch.

The Panel produced two documents:

• an enduring Strategy to 2040 [PDF, 644kb]; and
• an Action Plan for 2012-2017 [PDF, 458kb], which sets out recommendations for implementing the Strategy over the next five years.

The Panel’s vision for Māori economic development is He Kai Kei Aku Ringa, literally to provide the food you need with your own hands or, in today’s world, to be responsible for the resources and capability you need to grow and develop.

The Strategy has six strategic goals for lifting the Māori contribution to the economy:

1. Greater educational participation and performance;
2. Skilled and successful workforce;
3. Increased financial literacy and savings;
4. Government, in partnership with Māori, enables growth;
5. Active discussions about the development of natural resources; and
6. Māori Inc as a driver of economic growth.

The Action Plan sets specific and practical recommendations under each of the six goals. The Panel has identified three bold, transformational actions in the areas of education, natural resources and Māori working together to drive growth. The remainder of the recommendations in the Action Plan focus on continuous improvement of existing systems and processes.

Support for Implementation of He Kai Kei Aku Ringa

Successful implementation of He Kai Kei Aku Ringa is dependent on Māori organisations and the private sector working together with government. A number of Māori and private sector organisations supported the launch of He Kai Kei Aku Ringa by identifying ways that they could contribute to specific recommendations in the Action Plan. Read the press releases:

• New Zealand’s largest industries to participate in skills analysis [PDF, 124kb]
• Focus on Māori Savings and financial literacy [PDF, 110kb]
• Significant resources to enhance Māori governance [PDF, 390kb]
• Private sector commits to action to improve Māori land productivity [PDF, 667kb]
• NZVIF welcomes Panel proposal for Māori-oriented fund [PDF, 192kb]
• New initiative for greater engagement between industry and Māori enterprises [PDF, 295kb]

A Māori Economic Development Advisory Board is being established to provide ongoing support and oversight of the implementation of He Kai Kei Aku Ringa.

Support for the Advisory Board will be provided by a new Māori Business Unit to be established within the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. The Advisory Board will report to both the Minister of Māori Affairs and the Minister for Economic Development. The Māori Business Unit will be staffed by officials from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and Te Puni Kōkiri. For further information, contact the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment on 04 472 0030 or Te Puni Kōkiri on 04 819 6000 or email to MEDP@tpk.govt.nz

Discussion Document and Consultation

In March 2012, the Panel released a discussion document [PDF, 710kb] which set out its views on the key issues facing the Māori economic sector and the steps needed to lift performance and productivity.

The Panel received feedback through a series of open hui, targeted hui with key stakeholders and written submissions. The feedback received was positive and was used to inform the development of the Strategy and Action Plan, He Kai Kei Aku Ringa – the Crown-Māori Economic Growth Partnership

Last modified: 19/11/2012