Maori economy report expected to show growth

Prime Minister John Key will be among guest speakers at the Federation of Maori Authorities (Foma) conference. File Photo / Greg Bowker

A report being presented at a Maori business conference at Waitangi this weekend is expected to show a significant growth in the value of assets owned and operated by Maori.

Prime Minister John Key will be among guest speakers at the Federation of Maori Authorities (Foma) conference, which is preceded by an annual general meeting tomorrow night.

Foma said there was an estimated 83 per cent growth in Maori owned and managed assets between 2001 and 2006 - up to $16.6 billion in monetary terms - but with many commercial assets controlled by private Maori trusts and incorporations, the full range and value of their activities was difficult to measure.

Chair Traci Houpapa said a thorough assessment of the size of the Maori economy was recently undertaken by the Berl Consultancy and findings would presented at the conference.

"We know that Maori are contributing more and more to the New Zealand economy actively and passively," she said. "The key is for us to unlock the potential value of the Maori assets, not only by ourselves, but with the assistance of other partners and stakeholders."

- NZPA