MEDIA RELEASE INDEPENDENT MAORI STATUTORY BOARD FOR AUCKLAND

Thursday 5 May 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Independent Maori Statutory Board Stands Ready to Play Key Role in Development of Maori Economic Strategy for Auckland

The Independent Maori Statutory Board for Auckland has today warmly welcomed the announcement by Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples that a new Maori Economic Strategy is to be developed and stands ready to play a key role in the project.

"The Auckland region is critical to the success of the Maori and wider New Zealand economy, not just as a major economic powerhouse in its own right but as the channel through which the vast majority of New Zealand's food, fibre and other exports flow through, the city at which the overwhelming majority of tourists arrive and depart, and the major base for the wide range of financial and other support services that are so crucial to the Maori economy," the Chairman of the Board, David Taipari, said today.

"As the independent statutory body representing Maori throughout the Auckland region, the Board is well-placed to help co-ordinate input from all the different Maori interests throughout the city. We plan to make this a major part of our work programme for this year and to work with Maori business in the region, along with Dr Sharples, on how we might make the most valuable contribution into the Independent Review Group, including through the Board being represented on that Group." Mr Taipari identified three key areas where the Board could make a positive contribution.

"First, given our role in the Auckland Council, the Board is well placed to ensure the economic strategy addresses all the infrastructure issues of vital important to Maori businesses operating in and through Auckland," he said.

"Second, the Board's connections throughout the community give us unique insight into the critical issues of growing the Maori SME sector in this region and ensuring all Maori have access to the professional, trades and business training they need to be strong participants in further developing the $37 billion asset base of the Maori economy.

"Three, our position in the Auckland region - New Zealand's financial services hub - is highly relevant in the vital issue of improving the vital linkages between domestic and international capital markets and Maori businesses throughout the country."

Mr Taipari congratulated Dr Sharples and all members of the Maori Economic Taskforce for the high quality of analysis evident at today's Economic Summit which he said set a high standard for the Independent Review Group when they begin the task of developing the Maori Economic Strategy.

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