Ngai Tahu is looking at boosting spending on programmes over the next year as the tribal balance sheet shows continued strong growth.
Its commercial arm Ngai Tahu Holdings made a $103 million operating surplus, contributing to an overall profit Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu of $168 million.
Holding chief executive Mike Sang says the stand outs were Christchurch residential development, lobster exports to China and getting almost 1 million visitors though its tourism attractions.
While there was an operating loss in its farming business, the amount of land converted to pasture boosted its value.
He says since the settlement the company has paid $396m to the tribe, including $44 million last year.
"Next year’s settlement alone will be $50m on the base of the growth. So I think you start to see an acceleration in that distribution programme which enables Te Runanga to think more broadly about where they want to go next. It's about getting money directly out to the runanga and whanau. We don't want to continue to increase the size instead of the focus on development and supporting our people who are doing good work around the South Island," Mike Sang.
