Anyone with an interest in Māori business and economic development in the Bay of Plenty is encouraged to attend one of four upcoming regional hui.

The hui will provide an opportunity to have input on a regional Māori Economic Development Strategy for the wider Bay of Plenty region.

The final strategy will be the first regional Māori economic development strategy of its kind for the Bay of Plenty - and potentially for the rest of New Zealand.

The strategy is being developed under the Bay of Connections economic development framework, in partnership with Te Puni Kokiri.

The Bay of Connection is the industry-led growth strategy for the wider Bay of Plenty area. Its region includes the Eastern Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Taupo and Western Bay of Plenty.

Bay of Connections chair John Cronin says the focus of the Māori Economic Development Strategy is ultimately about increasing jobs, and improving wealth and wellbeing for Māori across the wider Bay of Plenty region.

"Māori are major stakeholders and contributors to economic growth in the wider Bay of Plenty region, and the value and potential of the Māori economy is recognised across all sectors within the Bay of Connections strategy, including forestry, energy, aquaculture, freight logistics, and sport and recreation.

"We know there is already significant activity underway at local, regional, iwi and trust levels, and the goal of the Bay of Connections strategy is to support these initiatives, while at the same time enhancing them or developing new ones by providing a vehicle for ideas and collaboration across the wider Bay of Plenty region.”
John says gaining input from Māori people across the region into the development of strategy is absolutely critical to its future success.

'We hope that as many interested people as possible are able to attend one of the regional hui to join the discussion and provide their perspectives.”
He says the strategy is also designed to align with the National Strategy for Māori Economic Development: He kai kei aku ringa.

The four regional hui are on the following dates and locations:

Whakatane: 1pm, Tuesday, February 12, Te Manuka Tutahi Marae, 105 Muriwai Drive, Whakatane

WBOP: 10am, Wednesday, February 13, Horoparaikete Trust, 9 Taranaki Lane, Pāpāmoa

Taupo: 10am, Tuesday, February 19, Waipahihi Marae, Hinerau Grove, Taupō

Rotorua: 10am, Tuesday, February 26, Ihenga Marae, Mokoia Drive, Rotorua

For further information and to register to receive further background information for the hui, please contact [email protected]