Big events will benefit iwi, says PM

Prime Minister John Key believes Maori businesses can capitalise on the major world sporting events New Zealand will host over the next 18 months, and boost Maori economic development.

Mr Key, in Hamilton this week to visit numerous iwi organisations during Maori Language Week, told The Waikato Times that iwi and Maori business leaders were "very encouraged" by the prospects presented by the Rowing World Championships later this year, and the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Mr Key said Maori economic development was vital to New Zealand and had an important role to play in the country's prosperity.

Maori had "a lot of resources heavily targeted at the primary sector", but he also identified tourism and a unique Maori experience as being crucial opportunities.

The hosting of the 2010 World Rowing Championships at Karapiro "was a great opportunity to show the rest of New Zealand what we can do during the Rugby World Cup", Mr Key said.

He expected tourists would be "fascinated by the options" in New Zealand, which ranged from entertainment and kapa haka through food and indigenous experiences.

Mr Key said the Government had made an investment in Maori tourism with a $4.5 million injection into Te Puni Kokiri as part of its last Budget, funding that was on top of $30m of general tourism funding.

"We've been working with Tourism New Zealand on that ahead of the Rugby World Cup," Mr Key said.

Speaking to invited Maori business and community leaders at a breakfast function at Waikato University yesterday morning, Mr Key said Maori economic development was evolving rapidly.

He said that was "primarily a result of the treaty settlement process that has got momentum", as well as the significant economic wealth tied up in iwi, particularly Waikato-Tainui.

There was a new "sophistication among runanga managing those (iwi) assets", and singled out Tainui's The Base development as outstanding.

New Zealand would not succeed as a country without Maori economic development, Mr Key said, noting the growing Maori population in the future workforce.

"That's where the grunt of New Zealand is," he said. "So we need to get that right."

Mr Key identified what he described as "unique aspects" of Maori business, including long-term ownership and the "integration of culture and history in brands".

"In terms of Maori business, I think we're on exactly the right track," he said, anticipating a huge demand for New Zealand goods and services where Maori businesses were closely involved.

Maori Party co-leader Dr Pita Sharples, accompanying Mr Key on his visit, said the two parties had held a series of summits around the country tackling Maori economic and unemployment issues.

"Iwi are progressing very well. I predict in 10 years time, iwi will be major players in infrastructure - they'll no longer be driving the bulldozer, they'll be owning the road," Dr Sharples said.

Dr Sharples will take 20 Maori entrepreneurs to Shanghai, China, later this month.

Craig Muntz, director of tourism firm Aotearoa Experience, liked what he heard from the prime minister, and said acknowledgement of the need for Maori economic development and education to make New Zealand successful was "absolutely vital".

Mr Muntz said there was "great potential" for businesses offering "authentic Maori experiences" and eco-tourism.

"It's a point of difference in the international marketplace, and a strong competitive advantage for this country," Mr Muntz said.

Mr Muntz said Dr Sharples' long involvement with Maori arts and culture, and Mr Key's role as Tourism Minister, were positive aspects for Maori business.

- © Fairfax NZ News