Hui Taumata Sets Roadmap

Hui Taumata Sets Roadmap - Te Atiawa Iwi Investment Conference Provides Tool-kit

Date Thursday September 4, 2014. For immediate release

Commercial leaders from throughout the region and country are set to descend on Taranaki next week for the inaugural Te Atiawa Iwi Investment Conference.

Te Atiawa Holdings (Taranaki) Ltd chairman Kura Denness said it was timely to bring together some of the country’s top financial minds, across a range of sectors.

Ms Denness said the investment conference which follows on from this week’s 30 year anniversary of Hui Taumata held in Auckland this week focused on investment and growing capabilities.

“Hui Taumata has set the roadmap for iwi and Maori economic development, Te Atiawa Holdings are proud to be able to provide Maori commercial decision makers with the tool-kit to ensure best practise and quality decision making guide all aspects of commercial development.

“We have hand-picked a range of experts in their respective fields to inspire, inform and enhance the capabilities of leaders across Maoridom who are entrusted with making crucial business and investment decisions for their stakeholders and members,” Ms Denness said.

The guest speakers for the two-day conference include former Labour Party leadership hopeful and Cabinet Minister and current Ambassador for Pacific Economic Development, Shane Jones, economist Tony Alexander, Maori Trustee Jamie Tuuta and Carmel Fisher of Fisher Funds.

Ms Denness said the conference was geared to capture the momentum that Maori and Iwi commercial and economic fortunes have experienced in recent years, to provide inspiration and guidance to iwi leaders, especially those entering the post-settlement development phase.

“There have been a number of major settlements and progress through the settlement process in recent years, including for Te Atiawa and Nga Ruahine in Taranaki,” she said. “This conference provides the opportunity to learn from the strong leadership and hard work that has gone on to improve the productivity of Maori and iwi-owned land, resources and businesses coupled with Treaty of Waitangi settlements.”

The Maori commercial asset base has been estimated at $37 billion. Farming, fishing and forestry are traditional areas of Maori enterprise and increasing returns from these assets will occur with continued research and development. It has been reported that the Maori economy could add $12 billion a year to GDP and thousands of jobs, with the correct strategic partnerships and leadership.

Ms Denness said the boutique investment conference is designed to appeal to the diverse range of Iwi and Maori enterprises, to assist in increasing knowledge and networks to ensure Maori are utilising their shared expertise and financial muscle to extract the best results for our respective shareholders.

“I am also proud to bring together leaders and stellar examples of Maori best practice and performance across agribusiness, health, property investment, and tourism to provide inspiration to a conference that includes a range of entities at the various stages of the economic development cycle.

“I look forward to welcoming them personally to the hospitality and warmth of Taranaki and I hope that they will be informed, inspired and united with those who share your passion for Maori economic prosperity and success.”

The two-day conference is being held at the Quality Hotel, Plymouth International, New Plymouth and begins 8.30am on Tuesday September 9. There remain a limited number of places available for those with a passion to grow their capabilities to support Maori economic development.

ends

© Scoop Media