Mentor service fosters Maori business

ADAM JONES finds Maori entrepreneurialism, highlighted in the Gem report, alive and well, supported by a business facilitation scheme.

Ministry of Maori Development (Te Puni Kokiri) chief executive Leith Comer is proud of the sizeable Maori contribution to the New Zealand economy.

"In 1999 the value of Maori assets was $5.5 billion," said Mr Comer. "This has grown extensively since then. Maori need to see themselves as significant contributors to New Zealand. Rather than seeing themselves as needy, Maori need to see themselves in a more positive light."

Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia is not surprised that Maori entrepreneurs have rated highly in the Gem report.

"Maori came through a real needs situation where they were dependent and just fodder to both industry and to the state," he says.

"Now Maori assets are starting to work well and Maori are getting more courage to be entrepreneurial." Te Puni Kokiri is working with Maori to achieve success through the Maori Business Facilitation Service.

This scheme was set up 12 months ago to mentor Maori businesses and foster new start-ups. Mr Comer says the service is working well, and more than 200 Maori businesses have been involved since the course began.

"We are seeing some hugely successful results in tourism and products," he said.

The Gem report found that cultural attitudes within Maoridom towards failure, risks and growth are unhelpful to budding entrepreneurs.

But, says Mr Horomia, "Maori have always found it difficult to raise capital because of multiple titles. Banks wouldn't lend money for Maori enterprises and it's taken a while for Maori to understand that you can take a risk."

"It's really taking off in a sense of modern commercialisation. But entrepreneurship has always been around. It's always been a reasonable given in Maoridom that there is a desire to do better."

Mr Horomia and Mr Comer believe that Maori culture is important in Maori business.

Mr Comer says: "If you have a strong cultural sense, a sense of belonging, you are more likely to succeed. I'm not sure if it would be good for Maori if, in the pursuit of economic development, we stopped being Maori."

Maori business success has been recognised in recent business awards.

In August, Whale Watch Kaikoura, which is owned by Ngai Tahu, was named tourism operator of the decade. Last month, Rotorua tourism operator Mike Tamaki's Tamaki Tours was the focus of a TV2 documentary.

These and other success stories are a valuable source of inspiration for Maori entrepreneurs.

GEM Special Report