Hon Te Ururoa Flavell

Te Minita Whanaketanga Māori

Minister for Māori Development

13 July 2017

Tai Poutini Māori Tourism plan gets funding boost

Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell has announced a $70,000 investment in Tai Poutini Māori Tourism.

Mr Flavell says the investment supports the preparation and implementation of the Tai Poutini (West Coast) Māori Tourism Strategy and Action Plan to guide iwi investment in the region.

“The Māori economy, is a significant and an increasingly important contributor to New Zealand’s economy with a recent report estimating it to be $50 billion,” Mr Flavell says.

The work on the Strategy and Action Plan is being undertaken with Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae, Māwhera Incorporation, Ngāi Tahu Tourism and local Māori tourism operators to ensure that Tai Poutini tourism experiences have a strong Māori component and share the rich local stories.

“It is important that the Government fund initiatives like the Tai Poutini’s strategy and action plan, that looks to contribute to Māori economic development in the region.”

Mr Flavell’s announcement is part of the West Coast Economic Development Plan 2017 which was launched by Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges today.

ends

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