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December 16, 2015
Youthful Tainui population looking for economic leg up
Waatea Team
Posted On December 16, 2015
Waikato Tainui’s chief executive says Maori need to play a significant role in the region’s economic development.
Parekawhia McLean is also deputy chair of Waikato Means Business, a steering group of business, education, community and civic leaders that is looking at ways to increase living standards across the region.
The group has put $30,000 into exploring Maori development options.
Ms McLean says there is more than $6 billion in Maori assets in the region, which stretches from Taupo to Port Waikato and across the Hauraki.
"Our population, we're about 22 percent of the Waikato region and of that population almost 60 percent here are under of the age of 30 so it's certainly in the interests of the region to support the initiatives that are happening," she says.
Waikato Tainui’s proposed industrial and residential developments at Ruakura, which are awaiting resource consents, will be a major draw for the region.
Copyright © 2015, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com
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