2 November 2016

For immediate release

Te Pae Tawhiti - Manawatū-Whanganui Māori Economic Development Strategy to be launched

Te Pae Tawhiti, a strategy for Māori economic development across the Manawatū-Whanganui Region, will be officially launched by Minister Te Ururoa Flavell at Te Pae Tata in Ohakune on Thursday 3 November.

Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell will join iwi, hapū, local government, and enterprise and community representatives at the launch hosted by Te Puni Kōkiri, He kai kei aku ringa, and Accelerate25.

In 2015, the Government’s Regional Growth Study highlighted emerging opportunities in fields such as tourism, aged care and business outsourcing, as well as scope to build on the Manawatū-Whanganui Region’s existing strengths in the primary sector.

As a result, the Accelerate25 Manawatū-Whanganui Economic Action Plan was developed by business leaders, iwi, hapū, and councils in partnership with central government. Launched in August this year, the Action Plan identifies tangible opportunities and strategies across all sectors that will enable the acceleration of social and economic growth in the Region by 2025.

Iwi and hapū recognised the need for an additional piece of work around the significant and growing Māori economy in the region.

Te Pae Tawhiti is a complementary strategy document to the wider Manawatū-Whanganui Economic Action Plan.

Māori Economic Strategy Group representative and Accelerate25 Lead team member Sir Mason Durie says Te Pae Tawhiti reflects the vision of iwi, hapū and whānau for a future where economic growth can be realised as a conduit to the sustainability and wellbeing of whānau, lands, waterways, marae, language and future generations.

“The intergenerational strategy for Māori economic development from now until 2040 is to provide direction and support for Māori to pursue economic development individually and collectively across the region,” says Sir Mason.

“Key to success will be the formation of alliances within the region so that economies of scale and shared services can be realised.

“Opportunities in seafood, honey, tourism, forestry, and digital and social enterprise are just some of the ways our communities can work together to create prosperity for the betterment of Māori,” says Sir Mason.

Accelerate25 Lead Team facilitator and Horizons Regional Council chief executive Michael McCartney says Manawatū-Whanganui is a resourceful and resource-rich region full of promise and hardworking, determined people.

“Forming over 20 per cent of the Manawatū-Whanganui population, helping to realise Māori potential is a crucial part of growing our region’s prosperity,” says Mr McCartney.

“Success for Māori enterprise encompasses the integration of social, cultural, economic, environmental and spiritual wellbeing, and sustainability. Māori are already networked across the region and skilled in creating relationships for the purpose of mutual benefit.

“Te Pae Tawhiti will build upon these great foundations and help deliver the potential of what our region has to offer to the rest of the world,” says Mr McCartney.

Following the 10.30am launch of Te Pae Tawhiti, guests will continue the day’s activities with a workshop and hui to discuss the next steps, including determining an action plan for implementation of the document’s initiatives.

More information is available on the Accelerate25 website: www.accelerate25.co.nz

ENDS

© Scoop Media