Māori Potential Approach

The Māori Potential Approach is an evolving policy management and investment system designed to operationalise our focus on Māori strength and success.

It consists of principles and outcome statements to guide policy advice and investment decisions. The principles direct us to focus on supporting Māori aspiration and initiative, recognising the unique place of Māori culture in new Zealand and the duties and opportunities which flow from this. The highest outcome of the Māori Potential Approach is a state of being which we term Te Ira Tangata; the fulfilment of Māori aspirations for optimal quality of life, as new Zealanders and as Māori. This will be achieved when Māori everywhere are able to exercise confident and responsible choices to live the lives they value.

As contributors to that ideal we identify three intermediate outcomes or ‘enablers’ which, together with our policy principles, guide our advice and investment decisions. These are Whakamana, which is broadly about the power to make things happen; this directs our efforts towards strengthening Māori leadership, governance, management, succession planning, and influence. The second is Mātauranga, which refers to the traditional and contemporary knowledge and skills which Māori innovation must build upon. The third is Rawa, which means resources – especially, though not only, the natural endowments of the Māori world. We consider these three ‘enablers’ to be the key determinants of Māori development, and use them in considering the efficacy of proposals for policies and investments.

• Back to Corporate Statements
• Next: Government Priorities