Iwi to hold another economic summit

The iwi of Te Tau Ihu o Te Waka a Māui - the top of the South Island, are again working with other powerhouses in the region to hold an economic summit. This years event will be held at the Rutherford Hotel from 19-20 November, and builds on the success of the 2012 summit.

In 2012 the iwi of the region were on the verge of completing their Treaty of Waitangi claims process. The Paerangi Te Tau Ihu Economic Summit was an opportunity to come together with others in the community to discuss the changing environment for iwi in the region. It was well attended with the key themes being shaping the future and leveraging the Māori asset base.

The theme of this years summit is Te Atakura - a red-tipped dawn. Taken from a well known karakia (prayer), Te Atakura speaks to the dawning of the iwi economy within Te Tau Ihu, and the opportunities that this presents. Themes include indigenous branding and marketing, innovation and technology, collaboration and risk management.

Speakers to the event are to be announced but include those who have successfully grown from small one-man or whanau-based organisations, to achieve international recognition. Over the two day event there will be a day of conference style speeches and a day of smaller break out sessions that attendees are able to choose from. During the evening there is to be a gala event where the region's first Māori Excellence Awards will be held.

The event's organising committee is led by local iwi representatives with support from mātāwaka (Māori living in the region who are not of the local iwi) and tau iwi (non-Māori) groups including Nelson City Council and Nelson Regional Economic Development Agency.

Chair of the organising committee Andrew Stephens (Ngāti Tama) is pleased with how the event is shaping up “There must be opportunity for iwi to come together and seek out ways to do more and be more for their iwi members.” He believes that the topics being discussed and the speakers that are starting to confirm are going to make for an amazing event.

Individuals, companies and service providers who are interested in learning more about the Māori economy and the opportunities that this could present the region are encouraged to attend. There is also sponsorship packages available for those interested in supporting the event.

More information on the summit is available on the summit website www.teatakura2015.co.nz.

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