Stuart Nash: Planning for future so whole region benefits

Labour MP for Napier Stuart Nash

This week I attended the 'Taniwha Dragon' Economic summit organised by Ngahiwi Tomoana in his role as chairman of Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated.

The primary (but not only) focus of the summit was to explore commercial partnership opportunities between Maori organisations and Chinese companies, even though non-Maori and non-Chinese innovators and business people with vision and success also presented.

There were some amazing speakers across a range of industries who provided insights into a potential future that I found both astounding, valuable and inspirational

So, as a pakeha, why was I there?

Two reasons: as a local MP, I am acutely aware of the size and importance of Ngati Kahungunu as a regional stakeholder and powerhouse and so I am always interested to better understand their plans and ideas for the future.

Secondly, because I am supportive of any organisation that is looking to grow the number of opportunities for Hawke's Bay people.

Economic development leading to sustainable and well-paying jobs is the key to alleviating many of the social ills we read about every day.

We all know that when people are working they very rarely have the inclination or time to engage in the type of anti-social behaviour that weakens communities and ends in tears.

Mr Tomoana understands this better than most as evidenced in his series of excellent articles in this paper recently.

He is also in a rather unique position to influence the direction of the province in terms of leading the drive towards creating wealth and extracting value from the Ngati Kahungunu assets under management of the Kahungunu Trust.

In my opinion, he has used his position and influence wisely. Among his many other roles, Mr Tomoana is on the board of the influential New Zealand-China Business Council.

He has spent a number of years developing relationships with key Chinese organisations and I am extremely confident these will serve Ngati Kahungunu - and Hawke's Bay - incredibly well.

One thing I am clear about is that if we are to make the most of our provincial competitive advantages we need to develop commercial partnerships at the local, regional, national and global level.

It takes time to build the type of trust necessary to really optimise the potential of any relationship, and this is where Mr Tomoana has been very strategic: understanding where the opportunities lie; who the key influencers are, and identifying the major stakeholders.

All are vital in order to develop a strategy around how to attain long term sustainable growth that delivers for all.

Aside from hearing some great speakers, the key message I took out of the summit is that those in charge of 'making it happen' for Ngati Kahungunu are looking forward and planning for the future in a way that ensures the whole region will benefit.

This is something we should all celebrate.

Stuart Nash is the MP for Napier