The Government today announced it will modernise its approach to Māori development and accelerate opportunities for the Māori economy through improving Māori GDP per capita, reducing regulatory burdens, and activating opportunities for access to capital.
“For New Zealand to become a world-leading small, advanced economy, government will more effectively work with and alongside Iwi and Māori organisations,” said Māori Development and Māori Crown Relations Minister, Tama Potaka (pictured).
Mr Potaka said the Government was clarifying the respective functions of Te Arawhiti and Te Puni Kōkiri to ensure each organisation has a clear focus on the important, but separate, roles they play in delivering for and with Māori.
“Te Arawhiti will remain a departmental agency and continue its core role of progressing long standing Treaty of Waitangi settlements and Takutai Moana applications,” he said.
“Te Puni Kōkiri will advise on policy to support the acceleration of Māori economic development, continue to support the revitalisation of Māori language and culture, and support Māori social development including through a social investment lens.
“The organisation will provide quality policy advice using the Treaty-based public policy framework Te Tautuhi ō Rongo, to ensure that the distinct rights and interests of Iwi (as collectives) and Māori (as citizens) are recognised and provided for. It will also better monitor other agencies to ensure they are delivering adequate services to and for Māori.
“By addressing income and asset productivity gaps between Māori and non-Māori, we will see significant uplift worth billions of dollars in the nation’s wealth. In practical terms, this means more choices for whānau, more employment and business development opportunities for all New Zealanders, and more revenue that can be invested in delivering better public services like hospitals and schools.
“Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, Tauhara North No 2 Trust, and PKW Incorporation in Taranaki are examples that demonstrate that when Māori are doing well, communities, regions and the country do well.
“I have engaged extensively over the last six months and feedback from Iwi leaders confirms that clarifying the respective roles of Te Puni Kōkiri and Te Arawhiti will be welcomed.
“I’ll be meeting with Iwi and Māori leaders shortly to provide more detail on our Government’s approach and seek their feedback.”
