Maori Economic Development - Te Ohanga Whanaketanga Maori

Abstract

In 2003 the NZ Institute of Economic Research, in collaboration with Te Puni Kokiri, produced a report entitled Maori Economic Development. This report had the goal of bringing together different strands of analysis in a single overview of the Maori economy, and providing new insights on approaches to Maori development. The objective was to find a way to think about the Maori economy in the same way that we think about the New Zealand, or any other, national economy. As a result of preparing a series of research papers on different aspects of Maori economic development, the report is able to provide useful insights: • For Maori, on the things Maori organisations can do to enhance their economic development prospects - in particular, investment in high quality governance is the most critical next stage of development, which must be guided by Maori; • For New Zealand businesses, on the opportunities available to them to transact with, and invest in, the emerging Maori economy; and • For the Government , on the broad direction of policies which would enhance Maori economic development. In par ticular , the government's interest in Maori development is not just about social responsibility or Treaty of Waitangi risk management. Rather, it is a policy area with significant potential to enhance New Zealand's overall economic performance.