October 17, 2023
Māori economy to fore with change on treasury benches
A Māori economist says it’s time for Māori business leaders to step up with proposals that may appeal to a National-ACT Government.
Professor Matt Roskruge from Massey University says a lot of the things that turned voters away form the Labour Government, like cost of living crisis and high fuel prices, aren’t going away because they are tied to international events out of any Government’s control.
He says Māori made considerable gains over the past six years in areas such as Māori representation in local government and in government agencies.
“I think we probably need to look at a National Government differently. They are going to be motivated – with ACT there especially – by things that make money, make business, so it is probably time for our Maori economic leaders, Maori business, Iwi Chairs Forum to step up and try to lean in to what these politicians are wanting to invest in which is going t be Maori economic growth,” Professor Roskruge says.
He says there will be nothing in the new Government’s agenda for people doing it hard, and the dream of home ownership will get further away with house prices set to climb again.