Maori business representatives urged to attend hui

The Bay of Plenty is set to host a unique event aimed at promoting Maori business and economic development in the Bay of Plenty.

Anyone with an interest in Maori business and economic development is encouraged to attend one of four upcoming regional hui to provide input to a regional M?ori  Economic Development Strategy for the wider Bay of Plenty region.

The final strategy will be the first regional Maori 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. The Bay of Connections region includes Eastern Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Taupo and Western Bay of Plenty.

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

"Maori are major stakeholders and contributors to economic growth in the wider Bay of Plenty region, and the value and potential of the Maori 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.

"Gaining input from Maori 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."

Mr Cronin says the strategy is also designed to align with the National Strategy for M?ori Economic Development: He kai kei aku ringa.

The four regional hui will be held on the following dates and locations:

• 
  Whakatane: 1pm, Tuesday 12 February, TE M?NUKA T?TAHI MARAE, 105 Muriwai Drive, Whakatane
• 
  WBOP:10am, Wednesday 13 February, HOROPARAIKETE TRUST, 9 Taranaki Lane, Papamoa
• 
  Taupo: 10am, Tuesday 19 February, WAIPAHIHI MARAE, Hinerau Grove, Taupo
• 
  Rotorua: 10am, Tuesday 26 February, IHENGA MARAE, Mokoia Drive, Rotorua

For further information and to register to receive further background information for the hui, please contact

cheryl.macgregor@boprc.govt.nz

The Bay of Connections is driven by a Governance Group representing Eastern Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Taupo, and Western Bay of Plenty, in partnership with the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and the region's economic development agencies.