Maori Taking Advantage of National Government’s Business Growth Agenda

17 May 2014

Māori are taking advantage of the opportunities created under the National Government’s Business Growth Agenda says List MP Claudette Hauiti.

“The Government has moved from managing our way out of recession to managing a growing economy that includes the Māori economy.” Ms Hauiti said.

Finance Minister Bill English announced investments of over $200million in Māori in Budget 2014. $12million goes to a Centre of Research Excellence (CoRE), $8 million in Innovation and $6 million in Tourism.

“As the New Zealand’s economy grows the Māori economy grows and all families including our whānau will benefit from more jobs and higher wages.” Ms Hauiti said.

“Part of that growth agenda is an $8million investment in Māori innovation focusing on lifting our export profile, increasing productivity and capitalising on our intellectual capability and ingenuity.

‘There’s no doubt about it the re-merging Māori economy is firing off National’s business growth agenda and the collective balance sheets of whānau, hapū and iwi enterprises estimated at about $38billion. Ms Hauiti said.

Also announced in Budget 2014 is a $12 million commitment to CoRE: Vision Matauranga research leveraging our global point of indigenous difference in areas that are important to New Zealand’s future development.

Māori Tourism gets $6 million over four years to build industry capability and branding.

"This Government is paying more than just lip service to honouring our responsibility as Treaty Partners. These investments are about rangatiratanga allowing Whanau Hapu Iwi to get on and do what needs to be done for them, their whānau and wider community." Ms Hauiti said.

ENDS

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