When launching a new interactive website aimed at inspiring Māori to achieve higher levels of success in education, skills training and enterprise, the Minister of Māori Affairs also praised the role of whānau in developing the site.

“What’s brilliant about www.MaoriFutureMakers.com is that whānau helped develop it and whānau will ultimately benefit from it,” Dr Pita Sharples says.

The website – www.MaoriFutureMakers.com – was launched at Te Kura Māori o Ngā Tapuwae in Auckland earlier this year. Māori students from more than 20 secondary schools, including representatives from Te Aute and Rotorua Boys High, attended.

As well as hearing directly from the Māori Future Makers in video and live interviews, attendees enjoyed the Minister’s telling of his own learning journey, and his encouragement of everyone to pursue their dreams.

Dr Sharples says it is important to focus on Māori achieving higher levels of success in the priority areas of education, skills training and enterprise, as well as science and innovation, as these are key platforms from which to drive future economic success.

“The relatively young Māori population will make up an increasingly larger proportion of New Zealand’s workforce and economic engine. That’s why it’s critical to ensure Māori have high standards of educational attainment and appropriate skills to help drive the economy.”