Te Puni Kōkiri and Kea New Zealand are working together to create opportunities to connect Māori businesses to the large international network of New Zealanders based outside of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Kea New Zealand is a not-for-profit organisation whose purpose it is to reach and motivate expatriate Kiwis and ‘friends of New Zealand’ to increase their contribution to New Zealand.

Sue Watson, Global CEO for Kea New Zealand says: “The expat Māori population are an untapped resource of opportunity for New Zealand’s economic development. They are extremely well connected and in many cases actively looking to invest in, partner with, or acquire businesses here in New Zealand.”

“The principle of connectivity is the foundation of whanaungatanga,” endorses Michelle Hippolite, Chief Executive of Te Puni Kōkiri. “We want to help by facilitating off-shore based people to draw on their goodwill to New Zealand by helping a Māori / New Zealand business break into their local market. Time and again this happens with an introduction to the right people. The motivation of people and relationships can open doors and is often a far greater enabler than money.”

Kea New Zealand’s five-yearly ‘census’ Every Kiwi Counts 2011 shows there is strong economic potential from expat Māori. According to the online survey of over 15,000 New Zealanders living offshore, Māori expats are highly successful, very well educated and say they have the ability to help NZ businesses from overseas.