Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell is picking cultural values can help Maori firms crack the Korean market.
Mr Flavell spoke to the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Korea yesterday as part of a trade delegation to Seoul and Japan.
He said previous Maori trade missions to Malaysia and China had successfully emphasised Maori cultural values as a unique point of difference, and he wants the same thing to happen with Korea.
That means an emphasis on long term investment, as both cultures place importance on family and building as legacy for past and future generations.
He said for Maori, developing export markets means meeting buyers face-to-face, or kanohi ki te kanohi.
Mr Flavell was joined on the Korean part of the mission by eight companies representing food and beverage, tourism, forestry, and seafood industries, as well as by National Party MP Melissa Lee.
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