Respected Māori leader becomes ATEED strategic advisor

11 December 2015

Respected Māori leader becomes ATEED strategic advisor on economic transformation

One of New Zealand’s most respected statesmen, Sir Pita Sharples, has been appointed as a strategic advisor to the board of Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED).

As Auckland’s economic growth agency, ATEED is responsible for delivering Auckland Council’s strategies to increase the prosperity of all Aucklanders, and is stepping up its response to the unique needs of Tamaki Makaurau’s manua whenua and mataawaka – including programmes which address youth employment issues, and encourage innovation and Māori business ventures.

ATEED Board Chairman David McConnell says he is thrilled Sir Pita (Ngāti Kahungunu) has agreed to the advisory role, which will see him work with, and provide wise counsel to, the organisation’s seven external directors and leadership team for an initial 12-month period.

“Sir Pita has an outstanding record of achievement in the education and political worlds. Add his mana within Māoridom, and his huge knowledge of tikanga Māori and Tāmaki Makaurau – the great things and the challenges we face – and Sir Pita is the ideal person to challenge us on ATEED’s evolving Māori responsiveness and identifying opportunities to grow the Māori economy.

“We look forward to what promises to be a rewarding journey alongside the ATEED Board as we refine and develop our priorities to bring new high-value jobs and smart money to Auckland,” says David McConnell.

Sir Pita says: “The development of Tāmaki Makaurau’s Māori economy needs to be a priority as we look to drive the region’s ongoing transformation. Our mokopuna need pathways to employment, and our innovative people – in industries as diverse as ICT and aquaculture – need support and connections to fully realise their potential.

“I’m looking forward to productive and challenging kaupapa with the ATEED Board. Māori traders have been a crucial part of Auckland’s economy from the beginning, and I am looking forward to giving my perspective on what needs to be done to deliver for Māori in today’s global economy.

The “Māori economic powerhouse” is entrenched as a cross-cutting theme in council’s Economic Development Strategy 2012-2022. New recent initiatives delivered by ATEED include the highly successful inaugural DigMyIdea Māori Innovation Challenge (with Ngā Pū Waea, the National Māori Broadband Working Group), and a variety of Māori tourism development projects.

ATEED Chief Executive Brett O’Riley leads the Whai Rawa Māori economic wellbeing work stream of the cross-council Te Toa Takitini Māori Responsive High Performance programme, which is designed to significantly lift Māori economic wellbeing across the region.

ATEED will deliver the second Tāmaki Makaurau Māori Economic Forum next year, and leads several work streams of council’s Southern Initiative, which is designed to transform South Auckland socially and economically.

Last month, the Tāmaki Herenga Waka Festival – to be held in January next year – was added to Auckland’s core group of social anchor festivals as a showcase of the region’s unique Māori culture and grow long-term business opportunities.

ENDS.

© Scoop Media