Empowering Maori youth to grow the region's prosperity is a key focus of a new collaboration.
Education and skills will form the approach between the Bay of Plenty's Tertiary Intentions Strategy, Bay of Connections, and He Mauri Ohooho, the region's Maori economic development plan.
Strategy lead Greg Simmonds said by 2050, a market economist recently forecasted there would be 40,000 new jobs created across the Bay of Plenty, with much of the job growth in higher skilled roles.
He said to drive Bay of Plenty's GDP growth and build a strong economy, it was essential to mobilise young Maori into pathways that would lead them to these higher skilled job opportunities.
"We know increasing Maori youth household incomes will provide enhanced standards of living and help strengthen families; while also driving our region's growth and enabling us to enjoy a strong and resilient economy," he said.