Opinion: Maori business a sleeping giant

Governance Board for the Ngati Whakaue Assets Trust: Hemi Rolleston (left), Ana Morrison, Katie Paul (chairwoman) and Jason Rogers.

There was this man on TV recently questioning whether Maori have the governance experience to manage the growth many of their businesses are experiencing. He was complimentary about their efforts to utilise and grow their assets, particularly land, but it was their business acumen that worried him.

"Have they got the governance experience," he questioned?

That's when I poked my tongue out at the screen, well it was either that or the middle finger. "What the hell would you know," I heard myself shouting. Then I realised, that's just it, he wouldn't know.

Maori businesses usually fly under the radar. We know they are out there but how well they're doing, unless you have a vested interest, the general public don't have a clue. They probably aren't aware either of the growing number of young Maori who are being groomed for leadership. And not just in business. The emphasis continues to be on education and supporting Maori youth to aim high in all their endeavours.

I count myself fortunate to know and work with some brilliant young Maori business people. They are well educated, many having worked overseas early in their careers to gain international business exposure. But it is the exciting work of developing tribal assets that has captured their interest. That and the challenge of "growing" their people too.

People development and business growth go hand in hand. They are interdependent and both are long term projects. And that's the significant difference between Maori and other businesses.

You know the decisions you make will impact, long term, on the owners - the beneficiaries. Often "mahi mokopuna" guides their thinking. Will this benefit our grandchildren? Can the business be sustained over generations? Do we grow or consolidate? Thinking long term and trying to anticipate the future isn't an easy exercise.

Thinking short term is difficult enough. But Maori assets have to be developed to stay the distance. That's why so much time is often taken when it comes to making decisions.

I always hear, "Maori are risk adverse. They take forever to make a business decision." That used to be true but I don't believe this to be the case now.

Of course they take their time to undertake due diligence for any business proposal and to develop a robust business case. That's just doing the business. But they know their iwi aspirations are riding on the success of the business ventures they eventually go with.

They shoulder the added responsibility of growing and positioning current and future generations to take their place as leaders of their whanau, hapu and iwi.

Iwi aspirations have been driven by Treaty settlements over the past 20 years with Maori entrepreneurs gaining confidence, going from strength to strength. In the BOP Maori owned assets are estimated to be in the region of $8.6 billion, contributing $1.2 billion to the regional economy.

The new Ngati Whakaue partnership school is aspirational iwi thinking in action. It will teach the full New Zealand curriculum but goes further, it will be "trilingual" in English, Maori and computer coding.

I suspect they will have the "sorry school full" sign out when they open early next year, positioning Ngati Whakaue children for a striking future at home or wherever their life's journey will take them.

And the recent announcement that Ngati Whakaue Assets Trust have doubled their assets in the last 10 years and continues to grow is a very positive business outcome. Through wise investments the trust has been able to financially support Ngati Whakaue Marae, projects and cultural activities. They, too, are delivering on their iwi aspirations.

The story is similar wherever you travel throughout New Zealand. Some iwi may be just starting out but others are well on the road to achieving their business aspirations. And there are those like Ngati Whakaue who have found their stride and are purposely setting a cracking pace.

All major banks in New Zealand know about the "sleeping giant" that is Maori business. They are knocking on the door of these businesses. They also think Maori businesses are risk adverse. I believe it's more a case of Maori wanting to take their time and anyway who said they have to "jump" when banks come calling.

The sleeping giant has stirred. Just stretching and limbering up at present. When fully awaken the earth will certainly move. The repercussions will be felt in Rotorua and throughout the rest of New Zealand.

Merepeka Raukawa-Tait is a Rotorua Lakes Council councillor, Lakes District Health Board member and chairs the North Island Whanau Ora Commissioning Agency. She writes, speaks and broadcasts to thwart political correctness.