Maori Development and Associate Economic Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell is this weekend leading a Maori business delegation on a six-day culture and trade mission to South Korea and Japan.
It will be New Zealand's first trade mission to South Korea since a free trade agreement between the two countries entered into force in December 2015.
Mr Flavell, the Waiariki MP, said New Zealand's $42 billion-Maori economy had huge potential to boost New Zealand's prosperity, with trade missions playing a big part in unlocking foreign markets.
"This trade mission will help further grow our productive, innovative and internationally connected Maori economy. We led a similar trip to China last year, which was very successful, so it's good to be extending the initiative to South Korea and Japan," Mr Flavell said.
"These countries offer large markets with sophisticated consumers who want the sort of products Maori excel at delivering. This includes high-value seafood, honey and bee products, and tourism opportunities.