13 March 2012

Māori Economic Development Panel to Gather Views on Māori Economy Discussion Document

“The potential of the Māori economy is high and ready to be realised”, the Chair of the Independent Māori Economic Development Panel, Ngāhiwi Tomoana says.

Mr Tomoana was announcing the release today of the Māori Economic Development Panel: Discussion Document. http://www.tpk.govt.nz/en/consultation/medp/

“The Panel has been asked by the Ministers of Economic Development and of Māori Affairs to come up with a strategy and action plan to improve the economic development outcomes for whānau, hapū and iwi Māori,” Mr Tomoana says.

In their discussion paper, the Panel noted that the success of the New Zealand economy is intertwined with the success of the Māori economy.

“At the moment, both the New Zealand and Māori economies are underachieving; so lifting economic growth is critical to increasing incomes and improving living standards for all New Zealanders” Mr Tomoana says.

The aspirations and capabilities of whānau are key to realising the economic potential of Māori because this is where the human capability of today and tomorrow is sourced.

“We are interested in receiving as many written submissions as possible and will also hold several engagement hui in Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch as well as speak with a range of business people, entrepreneurs, bankers; all people interested and engaged with the Māori economy already.”

The discussion document includes four areas of focus which the Panel believes are critical to achieving the desired increases in household income, the wealth of the Māori economy and the productivity of workers and enterprises.

“We welcome input on the potential of the Māori economy and have included questions to help focus submissions,” Mr Tomoana says.

Written submissions are due no later than 11 April 2012 and can be sent to: MEDP@tpk.govt.nz or The Māori Economic Development Panel c/o Te Puni Kōkiri, PO Box 3943, Wellington.

ENDS

© Scoop Media