New Partnership Supports Māori Business Innovation

Callaghan Innovation and Māori trade organisation Te Taumata have signed an agreement that will see them working closer together to support greater success for Māori business domestic and international.

Callaghan Innovation chief executive Stefan Korn, left, and Te Taumata chair Chris Insley at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding to foster Māori business innovation.

Signed in the Tuku Iho Exhibition at Te Matatini Kapa Haka Festival last week, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) seeks to grow the next generation of Māori leaders in innovation, sciences, technology, research and development by sharing resources, expertise and innovation.

Callaghan Innovation’s Chief Executive Stefan Korn says the MOU builds on a national strategy hui, hosted by Te Taumata, at Parliament last October on Māori global trade aspirations.

“The hui identified technology and innovation as a critical enabler of Māori organisations wanting to grow their businesses internationally. These organisations are especially keen to capitalise on opportunities presented by the recent signings of Free Trade Agreements with the United Kingdom and European Union,” Mr Korn said.

Callaghan Innovation, the innovation agency of the New Zealand government, has identified partnership with Māori as one of the key pathways to achieve its goal of supporting customers that can have the largest impact on New Zealand.

“With Te Taumata regarded as a strong authentic Māori voice on trade between Aotearoa New Zealand and the rest of the world, this initiative marks an important step forward to reaching this goal,” Mr Korn said.

The MOU will be in place for an initial period of three years and will see Callaghan Innovation identifying opportunities to support the growth of Māori research science, development and technology, as well as growing rangatahi engagement and backing Government support of Māori business export opportunities.

Te Taumata chair Chris Insley says his organisation will enable Callaghan Innovation to connect with Māori exporters via their trusted relationships with the Māori community. Te Taumata are particularly keen to foster a network of collaboration by connecting research, science and technology innovators across indigenous communities.

“The Māori economy is estimated to be worth $70 billion, expected to grow to $100 billion by 2030, and exports make up a significant portion of that. Signing this MOU at Te Matatini, which brings together all areas of Māoridom to celebrate Māori success, is indicative of the huge potential and creativity inherent in the Māori business community.

“Our partnership with Callaghan Innovation will maximise that potential and in turn drive better outcomes for our whānau and communities,” Mr Insley said.

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