- Hon Tama Potaka
More than $5.3 million in Māori Development Fund investments are helping grow Māori-owned businesses, create jobs, strengthen regional economies and expand export opportunities across New Zealand, Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka says.
The investments support horticulture and aquaculture developments in Hawke's Bay, Raupunga and Akaroa, aligning with the Government's Going for Growth with Māori | Tōnui Māori framework and the overarching target to double exports within a decade.
"Iwi and Māori in the primary sector make significant contributions to New Zealand's economic success. These investments are helping Māori businesses grow, create jobs, increase productivity and build long-term prosperity for their communities."
Renewable energy will play a key role in intergenerational Māori business Parininihi ki Waitōtara Incorporation, increasing its ability to invest and diversify its asset base with renewable energy infrastructure using a mixed land-use whenua model.
"Contributing to this energy initiative will support the business to unlock further potential of the whenua and open opportunities for the region to boost infrastructure, creating opportunities for reconnection, learning, and skills development," says Mr Potaka.
"Parininihi ki Waitōtara Incorporation has demonstrated renewable energy is a viable pathway for the company to create enduring value for their shareholders and wider Taranaki Māori especially given the oil and gas ban under the previous government.
"The Government is investing in various renewables projects and this initiative has the potential to generate enough electricity each year to power more than 8,500 homes. It also opens the door for a transition to clean energy for regional manufacturing businesses, while creating job opportunities in the construction and maintenance of the facility."
In Hawke's Bay, the Māori Development Fund is investing $2.6 million in Hineuru Orchards to support new protective infrastructure and orchard improvements.
The investment will help protect high-value crops from weather-related events and bird damage while supporting business plans to expand exports into Asian markets.
"Hineuru Orchards is already the largest cherry grower in the North Island. This investment will help increase production, improve resilience and support future export growth."
In Akaroa, the Māori Development Fund is investing $1.5 million in Akaroa King Salmon to support infrastructure upgrades that will enable the business to scale production and meet growing international demand.
Akaroa King Salmon, a partnership involving Ōnuku Rūnanga and Ngāti Porou, expects the investment to support the creation of around 50 new jobs and significantly increase export revenue over the next three years.
"Akaroa King Salmon has built a world-class reputation for premium products and sustainable production. This investment will help unlock further growth and strengthen New Zealand's export economy.
"When Māori businesses succeed, local communities benefit through new jobs, increased incomes, stronger regional economies and greater opportunities for future generations.
"These investments are helping unlock the potential of collectively owned Iwi and Māori assets, and supporting long-term growth across New Zealand. This Government backs Iwi and Māori to succeed and help to grow the New Zealand economy."
