Jacinda Ardern to speak at FOMA summit in Rotorua

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will give the keynote address at the Federation of Maori Authorities 30 Economic Summit being held at Rotorua. Photo/File

Movers and shakers in Maori business will converge on Rotorua this week for the 30-year anniversary of the Federation of Maori Authorities.

The FOMA30 Economic Summit is being held at Rotorua Energy Events Centre from Friday to Sunday starting with a pohiri by Te Arawa at Millennium Hotel Rotorua.

The keynote address at 12.45pm on Friday will be given by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, with Minister of Crown/Maori Relations Kelvin Davis to speak after her.

The stellar line-up of guest speakers includes Sir Tipene O'Regan, Waaka Vercoe, Mavis Mullins, Paul Morgan, Sir Wira Gardiner, Te Taru White, Wayne Mulligan, Ingrid Collins, Rod Oram, Dr Ganesh Nana, Julia Jones and Ngaria Rolleston.

FOMA chairwoman Traci Houpapa said the annual conference was about coming together and acknowledging what FOMA had achieved so far while also taking a look into the future.

FOMA chairwoman Traci Houpapa. Photo/File

"FOMA brings out the very best in Maori and iwi authorities for the good for our whanau, iwi, hapu, and communities - and that flows-on for the good of our country. FOMA has a heart and a soul for Aotearoa.

"For over 30 years grandparents, mokopuna, great mokopuna have come together for our
conference, which means it's more than just business. FOMA's about people. It's about our members, and ushering in the next generation of leaders," Houpapa said.

"We support them to grow within the strength of established leaders, so we can one day step back and let the new leadership move forward as FOMA leaders, and certainly as leaders of our country."

Presentations will include Me Uru Kahikatea - The Story of FOMA, Defining the Maori Economy; Regional Economic Development, Legacy for the Future, Aotearoa Sustainability 2050, The Future of Our Economy, Food to the Future and more.

Panel discussions would also take place with key industry representatives.

"FOMA has been instrumental in changes in legislation, our policy and strategy advice to a number of governments largely on economic development, and Maori land and asset management, and this will be recognised at the conference," Houpapa said.

FOMA, established in 1987, is the largest national Maori economic network representing around 150 Maori authorities with a collective asset base of around $9 billion with interests largely in primary industries.

FOMA was involved in leading discussions on the 1993 Te Ture Whenua Maori Act review and has taken a lead role in the current TTWM reform process.

To register for the FOMA30 Economic Summit go to www.foma.org.nz.