July 06, 2023
Short notice makes trade trip tough
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise’s director of Māori partnerships says prime ministerial trade missions may not be the best places for Māori to do business.
A number of Maori business people as well as Te Matatini winner Te Whanau a Apanui were on Prime Minsiter Chris Hipkins’ mission to China last week, which Dale Stephens says was a success in terms of culture and relationships.
But he says tight security around prime ministerial travel means only businesses with deep pockets are able to act at short notice when itineraries are set … and that would rule out many Maori businesses.
They may get better value from Maori-led trade delegations where they are the centre of attention.
“The better opportunity all round is where it might be led by a Trade Minister, or a Maori Development Minister because that way you can give it more time plan it out, make the meetings and the opportunities much more focused on the business end of the equation,” Mr Stephens says.
A Maori trade-delegation could also be accompanied by a top kapa haka.