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Māori fishing and agribusinesses are being challenged to find ways to add value to the raw products they produce.
Dale Stephens, the director of Māori partnerships with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, says as agreements are negotiated giving New Zealand traders better market access, producers need to find the right markets and the right products rather than spreading themselves too thin.
He says New Zealand has been good at producing raw commodities and letting other countries add the value, but that has to change.
“So that’s a huge opportunity for Maori because we have access to beautiful resources, natural resources, and with our natural bent for ingenuity and a good work attitude, I think you will see companies come forward with great, innovative ways to use that raw product, add that real value and target some great markets,” Mr Stephens says.
While New Zealand has a great trade relationship with China, it should also look closely at other Asian countries such as India.
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