The Hon Dr Pita Sharples, in a speech to the Iwi Leaders Group on 7 May 2010, launched Iwi Infrastructure and Investment - a set of resource materials for iwi. This work was done as part of the Māori Economic Taskforce's Tribal and Collective Asset stream, lead by Mark Solomon.
The resource provides an overview of strategic issues relating to Māori and co-investment in infrastructure. It also includes four guides to help iwi in taking the next steps towards public and private partnerships:
Download Iwi Infrastructure and Investment [PDF, 2mb]
The Chair of the Taskforce, the Hon Dr Pita Sharples released the first information sheet from the Taskforce at a breakfast function in Te Tairawhiti on 12 May 2010.
Throughout 2009 and the last few months, the Taskforce has initiated a mix of short and longer term projects; a selection of which are highlighted in the information sheet.
You can download a copy of the sheet here [PDF, 647KB].
In December 2009, BERL was engaged to research innovation in the future Māori economy. This research will also look at the impact of this innovation to the wider New Zealand economy.
An introductory workshop was held with public sector agencies in late December 2009. BERL will also be discussing the project with Māori commercial organisations and iwi leaders in early 2010. Read more >>
Kōtuitui Inc. was launched on 16th November 2009 by Hon Dr Pita Sharples. Read more >>
In November 2009, June McCabe, on behalf of the Māori Economic Taskforce, made a submission to the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology (MoRST) on its discussion document on New Zealand's priorities in research, science and technology.
Read the submission [PDF, 36Kb].
Te Puni Kōkiri has partnered with InfraTrain (the Industry Training Organisation for the civil infrastructure industry) to deliver training to Māori working in this industry across Tāmaki Makaurau, Tai Tokerau, Waikato, Te Moana a Toi, Te Tairawhiti, Takitimu and Te Arawa.
This initiative is from the Māori Economic Summit and the Prime Minister’s Job Summit and was launched by the Prime Minister and Minister of Māori Affairs on 23 July 2009.
Māori make up an estimated 30 percent of workers in the civil infrastructure (such as roading and bridge building) industry in the North Island. Several workers were losing employment opportunities due to a lack of qualifications and skills during the recent economic downturn.
With the government investing heavily in infrastructure over the next five years, this initiative ensures that Māori working in this industry will have the skills and qualifications to take advantage of industry growth and safeguard their jobs and earnings into the future.
As several of the roles training is being provided in are in higher level qualifications, particularly first line management, Te Puni Kōkiri looks forward to seeing more Māori taking the lead in this industry critical to New Zealand’s economic future.
Te Puni Kōkiri and the Māori Economic Taskforce have invested in five initiatives aimed at boosting the number of Māori professionals across industries. This will accelerate Māori economic development and add depth to the Māori professional base. These initiatives are focused in accounting/auditing, architecture, business/IT analysts, teaching and building a cohort of young Māori scientists.
These initiatives aim to address the historical dearth of Māori professionals in these fields and provide opportunities for Māori to realise their potential.
Several of these initiatives have been drawn from working with Māori businesses across these professions who wish to grow the number of Māori in this industry across the country. These businesses and Māori professional groups are working with Te Puni Kōkiri to recruit and mentor young Māori launching their professional careers.
The LENScience initiative aims to build a base of Māori scientists, through a partnership with Auckland University and the Liggins Institute, targeting 25 South Auckland schools. It will introduce young Māori in these schools to science mentors, create access to science based resources and open a strong pathway to study science at university.
Te Puni Kōkiri and the Māori Economic Taskforce support the greater professionalisation of the Māori workforce as it will have a positive impact on increasing standards of living, well-being and economic independence for Māori.
Maara Kai was launched by Hon Dr Pita Sharples on 9th October 2009. Maara Kai promotes the creation of community gardens on marae and Māori community projects.
"On the most immediate level it will result in measurable benefits in terms of healthy produce to eat. But there are other, less-tangible but just as significant benefits – healthy outdoor activity, and learning the skills of planting, growing, harvesting and storing fruit and vegetables.And of course there are community and social benefits – a network of friends, people with knowledge passing it on to those who are keen to learn, crops to share amongst whānau, and the satisfaction of cooking and eating food we have grown ourselves."
"On the most immediate level it will result in measurable benefits in terms of healthy produce to eat. But there are other, less-tangible but just as significant benefits – healthy outdoor activity, and learning the skills of planting, growing, harvesting and storing fruit and vegetables.
And of course there are community and social benefits – a network of friends, people with knowledge passing it on to those who are keen to learn, crops to share amongst whānau, and the satisfaction of cooking and eating food we have grown ourselves."
Read the Minister's speech at the launch of Maara Kai.
In April 2009, June McCabe on behalf of the Māori Economic Taskforce and Te Huarahi Tika Trust (formerly known as the Māori Spectrum Trust), made a submission on the Government Broadband Investment Initiative.
The submission focused on resolving and exploring issues around:
Read the full submission [PDF, 288Kb].
Last modified: 25/05/2010