Launch of Te Pae Tawhiti: Māori Economic Development

Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga to research Māori economic development

Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga will this week launch Te Pae Tawhiti: Māori Economic Development, a major research initiative that aims to optimise Māori economic performance and growth.

Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga (NPM) is a world-class Centre of Research Excellence hosted by The University Auckland. NPM conducts research of relevance to Māori communities and is an important vehicle by which New Zealand maintains its leadership role in global indigenous affairs.

Te Pae Tawhiti (“the distant horizon”) is one of NPM’s most significant research programmes. This week’s economic development launch follows the start late last year of Te Pae Tawhiti: Te Reo Māori, a three-year research initiative exploring the value of Māori language on New Zealand economy, culture and society.

Over the next three years, Te Pae Tawhiti: Māori Economic Development aims to establish a Māori economic development framework using collaboration, investigation and engagement as a catalyst for change and economic growth. Informed by Mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) the programme seeks to support the wellbeing of future generations, and the environment, of Aotearoa. It is expected that the research outputs will also inform policy development.

Researchers from NPM will collaborate with Whakatane-based Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa and Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi, the lead partner in the programme. The Wānanga’s Chief Executive Officer, Distinguished Professor Graham Smith, says the collaboration brings a range of strengths to the programme.

“Ngāti Awa offer excellent practical experience of operating Māori business, as well as a holistic approach to Māori economic development. Academic mentorship will be provided by the Wānanga’s Centre for Post-Treaty Settlement Futures. And NPM researchers will draw on extensive networks as part of the programme’s engagement strategy,” says Professor Smith.

NPM Director and University of Auckland Professor Charles Royal, says he is delighted to launch this new research initiative, which has such “game changing” potential for Māori communities.

“Our Pae Tawhiti initiatives are designed to bring fresh energy and thinking to bear upon critical issues and barriers to Māori economic development. Some of these issues concern the distribution of resources in meaningful ways, the enhancement of management and effective utilisation of assets, securing Treaty settlements and improving the performance of governance structures. We are delighted to partner with Te Whare Wānanga-o-Awanuiārangi and Te Rūnanga-o-Ngāti Awa in this important research initiative.”

The Honourable Georgina te Heuheu, Associate Minister of Māori Affairs, will launch Te Pae Tawhiti and the Honourable Pita Sharples, Minister of Māori Affairs, will speak at the launch at Te Marae, Te Papa Tongarewa Museum in Wellington at 6pm (for 6.30pm start) on Wednesday 16 March.

Visit Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga: http://www.maramatanga.co.nz/

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