Boosting Māori economic performance will benefit New Zealand.

Māori Affairs Minister Dr Pita Sharples and Economic Development Minister Stephen Joyce hosted national business leaders to launch the Māori Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan, He Kai Kei Aku Ringa: a blueprint for a productive, innovative, and export-orientated Māori economy that will support better paying jobs and higher living standards.

Dr Sharples says it’s about Māori having the resilience and self reliance to shape their own futures.

“He kai kei aku ringa means providing the food you need with your own hands and is the aspiration of all Māori. It’s about the people first and foremost determining our own economic and social wellbeing. So this is about education, employment, entrepreneurship but also for Māori, this is about rangatiratanga.”

Mr Joyce says Māori already make a huge contribution to New Zealand’s economy and this is growing rapidly.

“This Strategy and Action Plan provides a practical pathway to lift Māori economic achievement and living standards. It includes a mix of short term actions – things we can do now to lift Māori performance – and longer term ‘generational’ changes, such as lifting educational achievement.”