MEDIA RELEASE
Maori Housing Conference showcases Tauranga as prime conference location
September 27, 2016: The Bay of Plenty is becoming an increasingly desirable destination for business and educational conferences, thanks to
the arrival of high-profile events such this month’s National Maori Housing Conference.
A three-day strategic venture, exploring local, regional and international housing solutions, the biennial conference is
being held in Tauranga for the first time since its inaugural event in 2010.
The prestigious conference, held from September 29 to October 1, will hear from a number of high-profile speakers and
guests from Australia, Hawaii, Canada and New Zealand, including Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell and
Minister for Social Housing Paula Bennett.
Speakers include Heeni Hoterene and Rueben Porter of the Te Taitokerau Ahikaaroa Trust Project, which has been helping
families in Northland develop affordable, efficient and sustainable homes; the Turner whānau from Waikato, who are
building a 13-bedroom home to ensure their whānau’s future home ownership; and Henare Cherrington of the East Coast Hemp
Organisation (ECHO), which is sharing its research around sustainable building materials.
Tauranga Moana National Maori Housing Organising Committee Chairman Puhirake Ihaka says, “As whānau, hapū and iwi here
in Tauranga Moana, we're excited to be able to host this biannual Maori housing conference. This year’s theme is ‘Ma
whero ma pango ka oti ai te mahi’ - Collaboration and Strategic Relationships.”
As an outcome from the event, a high-level national document will be prepared to identify strategic solutions for the
current and future housing needs of Maori in New Zealand.
Tourism Bay of Plenty Head of Marketing Kath Low says it’s an exciting opportunity for the region to play host for this
event of national significance, and sees events such as this as a sign of positive growth in the city.
“With new residents and businesses comes increased interest in creating opportunities for conferences such as this to be
held in the Bay of Plenty. This event tackles a hugely important subject and the outcomes of which are to be highly
beneficial for not just Tauranga Moana, but the region and nation as a whole.
“We’re thrilled Tauranga has been selected to be inaugural hosts for this conference, and welcome our prestigious
national and international guests with open arms.”
Tauranga is becoming a hot spot for business conferences. In addition to the upcoming National Maori Housing Conference,
Tauranga recently hosted the 2016 Franchise Association of New Zealand Annual Conference at Trinity Wharf Hotel, which
was another first for the city.
More than 120 of New Zealand’s leading franchise minds and businesses were in attendance for the two-day event, with
such an event helping promote Tauranga and its exceptional conference facilities.
And in October, high-profile speakers such as Minister of Transport Simon Bridges, co-founder of US automotive company
Tesla Ian Wright and the New Zealand Transport Association’s Jeff Fleury will arrive in Tauranga for a four-day 2016
Road Transport Forum Annual Conference, which includes a site visit of the Port of Tauranga.
--ENDS--