Hon Steven Joyce
Minister for Economic Development
Hon Dr Pita Sharples
Minister of Māori Affairs

20 June 2014 Media Statement

Appointment to Māori Economic Development Advisory Board

The Government today appointed Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith to the Māori Economic Development Advisory Board.

The Advisory Board, established in May 2013, monitors and evaluates the implementation of He kai kei aku ringa, the Crown-Māori Economic Growth Partnership.

“He kai kei aku ringa has six goals and education is a central part of three of these goals. The Government believes an additional member with experience in this field is important to advise on the implementation of He kai kei aku ringa,” Mr Joyce says.

“Professor Smith is an expert at linking education and research to Māori development and will add an important dimension to the work of the Advisory Board,” Dr Sharples says.

“Hei Kai Kei Aku Ringa is our blueprint for a productive and innovative Māori economy that will support better paying jobs and higher standards of living for Māori.”

Biography

Professor Smith is the Pro Vice Chancellor Māori, Dean of the School of Māori and Pacific Development and Professor of Education at the University of Waikato. She is also Director of Te Kotahi Research Institute, and a member of both the Health Research Council and the Marsden Fund Council.

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