Te Puni Kōkiri regional offices Te Moana ā Toi and Te Arawa commissioned BERL to produce Te Ripoata Ohanga Māori mō Te Waiariki.

The report describes a quantitative description of the Māori economy and asset base; identifies opportunities for strategic growth and development for Māori in the Waiariki; and provides qualitative information on key organisations as well as existing or potential relationships for development.

Regional Director Wally Tangohau says this report is a platform from which more research for gaps, opportunities and areas might be identified.

“The report is influencing decision makers in the Waiariki with Environment Bay of Plenty,” says Wally. “Bay of Connections (Bay of Plenty's regional economic development strategy), has advertised for two new positions to be filled by business representatives that have a strong Māori focus, good Māori networks, and an understanding of Māori economic dynamics and its potential in the Bay of Plenty region.”

The report’s development was led by the Bay of Plenty Māori Economic Development Reference Group, representing iwi from across the Waiariki region.

The Waiariki rohe includes the Territorial Local Authority areas of the Western Bay of Plenty, Tauranga City, Rotorua District, Whakatāne District, Kawerau District and Ōpōtiki District, and includes the asset base of 16 iwi. The asset base of Ngāti Tuwharetoa within Te Arawa waka was not included in this report. 2006 Statistics say 40 percent of the Māori Asset Value across Aotearoa resides in the Bay of Plenty.

Download a copy of this report from our website.