Maori iwi and hapu who have settled Treaty of Waitangi claims earned 8.2 per cent average returns from their assets in the past year, more than double current trading bank deposit rates.
Te Tirohanga Whanui, the annual ANZ Maori business research series, did a financial analysis of 31 post-settlement iwi and hapu and found all recorded a positive profit on commercial assets with an average return of 8.2 per cent.
Bank deposit rates are hovering around just under 4 per cent.
ANZ said the report was clear evidence of the trend for iwi to move from asset holdings in cash and managed funds into more direct and active investments which could generate higher annual returns.
David Harrison, ANZ head of Maori relationships, said the report showed a thriving business sector.
"We are seeing more collaboration among iwi, not just in sharing information, but also to gain the scale needed to target bigger deals," he said, citing a new co-investment fund being considered by Ngāti Awa, the New Zealand Super Fund, and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
