November 25, 2021
Cooperation key to Māori export success
One of the leaders of the Māori delegation to the World Expo in Dubai says collaboration is critical for Māori trying to break into international marketplaces.
More than 30 Māori business people are now sitting in managed isolation and quarantine after taking part in the Te Aratini indigenous business showcase.
New Zealand Māori Tourism chair Dale Stephens says the rest of the world is reopening, and New Zealand will have work to do to catch up, given the continued restrictions at the border.
He says the expo showed there are real opportunities for Māori businesses if they work together and share the costs and risks of getting into markets.
“We see non-Māori businesses aren’t as readily prepared to work together but Māori, being whānau to some extent right across the motu, are much happier to go let’s get into this together, let’s share the risk, let’s share the cost of marketing, the market research and let’s take this on together. I think it’s a good opportunity and we have seen this happening across the world and it is something Māori can do very well,” Mr Stephens says.
He expects deals with the Middle East coming out of the Expo, and Te Aratini also generates valuable network opportunities and lessons from other indigenous groups around the world.