Statement of Intent 2007-2010

Foreword Chief Executive

Tēnei ahau, me aku kaimahi o Te Puni Kōkiri, e mihi nei ki te hunga kua huri ki tua o paerau, me koutou ngā kanohi ora o rātou mā, tēnā koutou katoa.

Te Puni Kōkiri is the Government’s principal adviser on Crown-Māori relationships. We also guide Māori public policy by advising Government on policy affecting Māori wellbeing and development.

Te Puni Kōkiri is uniquely placed to undertake this work by providing high quality policy advice; effective monitoring; and by building and maintaining strong relationships.

In recent times, Te Puni Kōkiri has been focused on implementing a new Māori policy framework – the Māori Potential Approach. Put simply, this approach is about Māori succeeding as Māori.

The ultimate aim of the Māori Potential Approach is to better position Māori to build and leverage off their collective resources, knowledge, skills and leadership capability to improve their overall quality of life.

Guided by Government priorities and the Māori Potential Approach, Te Puni Kōkiri has identified three core areas for strategic investment:

  • Strengthening of leadership and decision-making (Whakamana);
  • The building of knowledge and skills (Mātauranga); and
  • The development and use of resources (Rawa).

It is pleasing to note the feedback we have received from stakeholder hui and speaking opportunities around New Zealand, that a broad cross-section of New Zealand and Māoridom specifically, have been openly receptive to the Māori Potential Approach.

We believe the reason for this positive response is that the Māori Potential Approach has a simple yet profound goal of improved life quality for Māori that promotes Māori success within a Māori context and on Māori terms.

This Statement of Intent outlines our direction and priorities over the coming years as we strive for this goal. Our confidence to face the future is buoyed by optimism that our mahi will produce positive, measurable results for Māori that support the Government’s desire to build a strong economy that delivers a quality of life aimed at supporting all New Zealand families.

Te Puni Kōkiri means a group moving forward together. As our name implies, we will seek to harness the collective talents of Māori, to produce a stronger New Zealand.

He whakamoemiti ki te Atua, nāna nei ngā mea katoa.

Signed

Leith Comer
Chief Executive