Maori stand to benefit from collaborating with emerging economies such as India, says Maori Research Institute director Malcolm Short.
The Chairman of Te Arawa Federation of Maori Authorities and Pukeroa Oruawhata Trust is leading a Maori trade delegation on a landmark visit to India.
"We believe that the Maori delegation will contribute immensely to the development of trade and commerce between India and New Zealand during our business meeting in India," he said.
"Being big landowners in the primary sector such as agriculture, dairying and forestry, Maori community is excited with the free trade agreement with India.
"We believe people-to-people contact will have more impact, especially when it comes to business with India."
The delegation, which left on Sunday, also includes academics, scientists, community leaders, artists and business people and includes Rotorua deputy mayor Trevor Maxwell, associate dean of Auckland University Business School Professor Manuka Henare and senior resident scientist at the Maori Research Institute, Dr Guna Magesan.
They will be in India for two weeks to enhance business, cultural and educational relations between India and New Zealand from a Maori perspective.
"With the imminent signing of a free trade agreement between India and New Zealand, the Maori delegation aims to develop contacts for business opportunities with India," said Dr Magesan.
He said the delegates would be attending the Fourth International Conference of the Elders of Ancient Traditions and Cultures from March 3-7, 2012, at Haridwar, India.
Delegates from more than 30 countries will attend the conference, which has the theme "Nourishing the Balance of the Universe". The delegation will attend a reception hosted by the New Zealand high commissioner to India, Jan Henderson, on February 28 and Dr Magesan said several meetings on business, education and tourism were being organised for the delegates.
"The focus of business meetings will include export of dairy, forest and sea products, and indigenous education and inter-cultural exchange. The business meetings are facilitated by the World Hindu Economic Forum."
There will also be a visit to Indian dairy company G K Dairy, Ballabgarh (Haryana), the manufacturer of Gopaljee Dairy products, to discuss the company's planned expansion and the potential for collaboration.
Dr Magesan said tertiary institutions were developing relationships with Indian institutions and Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya (university), an establishment for cultural and spiritual renaissance of the globe, had invited delegates there to discuss education and cultural exchanges.