Hon Te Ururoa Flavell
Minita Whanaketanga Māori
Minister for Māori Development

20 September 2016

Study affirms Māori economic potential on West Coast

Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell today welcomed the release of a study outlining opportunities to strengthen and grow the Tai Poutini West Coast economy, where Māori businesses are already key players.

The Tai Poutini West Coast Regional Growth Study identifies the areas and industries with potential for growth, where the region and its communities can look to build a more diverse and resilient economy, Mr Flavell says.

“Tai Poutini is an area where Māori are already important players in the local economy. Ngāi Tahu Holdings has several commercial interests in the region, particularly in tourism and forestry. Māwhera Incorporation has strategic commercial assets in Greymouth and is actively looking at investing in the region.

“Local iwi are involved in a number of social and regional development projects around the region and are important investors, with significant landholdings and interests in forestry, minerals, tourism, fishing, property, food and beverage, health, telecommunications and natural resources.”

Making the most of these strengths will require collaboration between business, iwi, central and local government, Mr Flavell says.

“The opportunity for the region is in forming sustainable partnerships and making the most of the commercial nous of Māori, encouraging further investment.

“Through the Regional Growth Programme, the Government will now work to bring together all regional stakeholders on the development and implementation of an economic action plan that will ultimately lead to better outcomes for the people of Tai Poutini.”

For a copy of the Tai Poutini West Coast Regional Growth Study, visit here

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