February 20, 2014
Region adopts Maori business strategy
Iwi and Maori business leaders in the Bay of Plenty have identified strategic leadership, fostering of business networks and education as priorities if Maori are to create wealth, jobs and prosperity across the region.
Other priorities in the regional Maori economic development strategy released yesterday include collective asset utilisation, identifying and growing high value businesses, and resolving issues of capital and investment.
Richard Jones, the co-chair of the Maori advisory group to the Bay of Connections development promotion group, says the He Mauri Ohooho strategy has taken two years of development and the input of more than 200 iwi and Maori business representatives.
He says Maori economic development is central to the region’s prosperity, and the strategy will support initiatives that are already underway at local, regional, iwi and trust levels.
Maori are major contributors the regions economy with stakes in forestry and energy, aquaculture and horticulture as well as a major presence in health and education.
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