Foreword

Tēnei rā ka tuku i te pūrongo nei mō ngā mahi ohanga ki Te Moana a Toi hei titiro, hei wherawhera mā ngā iwi. Ko Te Moana a Toi tēnei, te waka Mataatua mai i Ngā Kurī a Wharei ki Tikirau, Te Arawa mai i Maketu ki Tongariro. Ko ōna iwi ēnei i heke mai i ngā waka o Te Arawa me Mataatua. Kua roa noa atu ēnei iwi e whai ana i ngā mahi ohaoha, ā, ka riro mā tēnei pūrongo e whakaatu ngā mahi i ngā tau 2001 me 2006. Mā kōnei e kitea ai ngā momo mahi a ngā iwi nei, ā, ka takoto hoki he kaupapa e tirohia ai te piki, te heke rānei o ngā mahi nei ki roto i ngā tau. Heoi ano, ko te mihi tēnei a Te Puni Kōkiri ki ngā iwi nei e taki noho ana ki o rātau marae kainga, me te hunga ano hoki i āwhina i tēnei kaupapa.

This report sets out information about economic activity in the Bay of Plenty region for consideration by our people. This is the Bay of Plenty, from Ngā Kurī a Wharei ki Tikirau, from Maketū to Tongariro. These are the people of the Bay of Plenty, the descendants of the Te Arawa and Mataatua canoes. These iwi have been engaged in economic activities for many generations, and this report describes activities in 2001 and 2006. This will present a picture of the various economic activities that are undertaken and provide a platform for longitudinal study. Te Puni Kōkiri would like to acknowledge these iwi, located at their various marae, and to thank the people who supported this research.

Te Puni Kōkiri intends that this report provides evidence of the importance of Māori entrepreneurs and their significant contribution to the economy of the Bay of Plenty region and New Zealand’s economy.

Described as an inherently intangible concept, a complex and dynamic activity; entrepreneurship is often interlinked with other business activities and outcomes in the economy. It is difficult to draw firm conclusions about the true nature of entrepreneurial activity, but the strong link between entrepreneurship and innovation and its role as a critical link in the transfer of new knowledge and economic growth is often emphasised.

Given the likely effect of entrepreneurship on economic growth, capturing its innovative nature will be important for Māori, especially in an open economy like New Zealand.

It is crucial therefore that we create an evidence base of Māori entrepreneurship to inform future decision making.

The purpose of this report is to contribute towards the region’s evidence base of Māori businesses and help support Māori policy making decisions, fact sheets and regional profiles.

It should be used in conjunction with other information that measures, builds and encourages Māori entrepreneurship including the report Te Ripoata Ohanga Māori mo Te Waiariki, The Report on the Māori Asset Base in the Waiariki Economy.

Te Puni Kōkiri acknowledges the individuals and organisations who have contributed to the development of this report.

Wally Tangohau
Regional Director
Te Puni Kōkiri Te Arawa and Te Moana ā Toi

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