Strengths of Māori Business²⁹

50. Some Māori businesses may be well placed to leverage of these trends. Te Puni Kōkiri has identified the following characteristics that will contribute to the success of some Māori businesses:
    • The majority of the entities tend to have low debt-equity ratios: This has resulted largely from the risk aversion that Māori organisations have towards debt.
    • The separation of commercial activities from non-commercial is seen as an important: A range of subsidiary companies have been established to enable partnerships and joint ventures to take advantage of opportunities and to share risk.
    • Movement to diversify assets: Māori have acquired a diverse range of businesses, such as private hospitals, retirement villages, wine and horticultural distribution channels, thermal energy companies, telecommunication businesses, major tourism businesses and infrastructure.
    • Strong focus on quadruple bottom line: Māori businesses are focussing on balancing social, cultural, environmental and business goals.
    • Value being Māori: The perception that being Māori is a positive difference.
    • Recruit best skilled people: seek to recruit the best skilled people to ensure effective and efficient management of the organisation.

²⁹ Ibid.