The Māori economy has emerged as a powerful and growing component of New Zealand’s national economy, underpinned by assets in key sectors such as forestry, fisheries, agriculture, tourism, and property. As of 2025, the Māori asset base is estimated to exceed $120 billion, demonstrating not only economic strength but also the increasing capability of iwi, hapū, and Māori enterprises to manage wealth and generate intergenerational prosperity.

A Snapshot of Growth

The Māori economy has experienced consistent expansion over the past two decades. In 2013, its value was estimated at around $42 billion. That figure more than doubled by 2023 and continues to climb. This growth is driven by:

• Post-settlement development: Treaty of Waitangi settlements, worth over $2 billion in total, have provided a platform for iwi to invest in diversified portfolios, from farming to tech.
• Investment strategies: Many iwi and Māori trusts have embraced long-term, sustainable investment strategies, aligning with tikanga Māori and environmental stewardship (kaitiakitanga).
• Enterprise and innovation: The rise of Māori-owned businesses across various industries, from high-value horticulture to digital services, is helping drive employment and innovation.

Sectoral Strengths

The Māori economy’s strength lies in several core sectors:

• Agriculture & Forestry: Māori entities own over 30% of New Zealand’s forestry land, and significant dairy and sheep farms. Investments in regenerative and organic practices are growing, adding environmental credibility.
• Fisheries: Māori own a substantial portion of NZ’s commercial fisheries quota through organisations like Aotearoa Fisheries Limited (Moana New Zealand), supporting export markets and iwi dividends.
• Tourism: Māori tourism has recovered from the COVID-19 slump, offering unique cultural experiences and drawing international visitors with experiences grounded in mātauranga Māori.
• Property and Commercial Real Estate: Major iwi like Ngāi Tahu, Waikato-Tainui, and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei have developed significant urban property portfolios in Auckland, Christchurch, and other regions.

Māori in the Workforce and Enterprise

The Māori economy also includes the contributions of Māori employees, employers, and entrepreneurs:

• Over 13,000 Māori-owned businesses operate across the country.
• Māori are increasingly present in STEM industries, with efforts underway to grow digital skills and entrepreneurship in younger generations.
• Māori women are starting businesses at rates faster than the national average, particularly in the social enterprise and cultural sector.

Challenges and Opportunities

While the Māori economy is growing, challenges remain:

• Access to capital is still a barrier for many Māori SMEs (small to medium-sized enterprises).
• Skills and education gaps need addressing to ensure rangatahi Māori can fully participate in high-growth sectors.
• There is ongoing work needed to embed Māori values in mainstream economic systems, including recognition of non-monetary value like cultural revitalisation and ecological wellbeing.

Despite this, there are major opportunities, particularly in:

• Green energy and sustainability: Iwi are investing in solar, wind, and geothermal projects.
• Tech and innovation: Māori tech companies are blending digital tools with te ao Māori principles.
• Whānau-centred development models, including Whānau Ora, are showing how economic empowerment and social wellbeing can be pursued together.