Speech for “Innovate” Event Growing Innovation–the Mäori Way

Christchurch
Convention Centre

Mihi

There are many great things happening in Aotearoa.

Over the past two years our government has put the building blocks in place to fulfill a vision of a more prosperous and decent New Zealand.

We have worked in partnership with iwi, with business, with communities and local government, with unions and industries, and with New Zealanders from all walks of life.

Many of these people have brought great ideas to our discussions.

I have no doubt that there are pockets of excellence throughout our economy.

The challenge, however, is for us as a nation to make those pockets of excellence the norm rather than the exception, the usual rather than the unusual.

Our next phase of development, and I include Maori development in this phase, must be characterised by creativity and innovation.

Innovation must happen across the board.

We must become a nation known internationally for our innovation, our creativity, our skills and our lifestyle.

My guess is if you ask the average Kiwi to name business innovators, even if they can come up with the odd name, Mäori names won’t feature.

Names like retailing’s Stephen Tindall, or motor racing’s Bruce McLaren may come to mind but Mäori business innovators have not quite made it onto the radar.

They are around. Like Whale Watch in Kaiköura, Tamaki Tours and Tohu Wines.

These Mäori innovators may not be in the consciousness of mainstream New Zealand, but they are out there, getting on with the job with or without acclaim.

Innovation/Entrepreneurship

Innovation to me means doing things effectively, creatively and of course positively.

Innovation doesn’t necessarily happen on a big scale.

It often starts as a small idea that takes off – with hard work and the vision and commitment of a few. It can occur in the big cities and small towns.

The good news for you at this conference is that Maori have a lot to offer New Zealand.

If you look at Mäori history, it is full of stories of explorers, creators, entrepreneurs and innovators. They were always open to new ideas and opportunities.

Our tüpuna sailed the oceans on voyages of discovery centuries before European voyagers traversed the Atlantic. And when European voyagers made it to Aotearoa, they found that Mäori were international traders as well.

Today, I want to assure you that Mäoridom is rediscovering that sense of entrepreneurship and creativity particularly amongst our younger generation.

There are clusters of young Maori who are actively engaged in the new and emerging information and communication technologies.

For me, I still have trouble figuring out my television remote control.

But what this tells me is being computer and technologically literate is an essential competency for any young person in this modern age.

Last week I was at the Ngäti Kahungunu ki Heretäunga Economic Summit in Napier. The summit was all about putting Ngati Kahungunu on the economic success map.

Many iwi and Mäori groups are working on their development strategies. They often cover social, economic and political levels because these issues are intertwined. Ngäi Tahu in the South Island and Tainui in the Waikato are the more well known iwi in commercial terms.

But many other iwi like Ngäti Porou, Te Arawa, Tüwharetoa, Ngäti Raukawa are implementing their well developed strategies.

Mäori Assets

I want to strongly invite you to consider working with Mäori partners. Why?

Because we live in a global economy and what distinguishes the New Zealand product on the international stage is, I believe, the Maori brand. The most obvious symbol of the Maori brand is the haka.

It never ceases to amaze me the number of New Zealanders overseas who know the haka.

Being Mäori is a defining characteristic of this nation and what makes us different from the rest of the world.

On that note, I am very proud of the achievements of those Maori people who have done well on the international stage, as diplomats, as business people, sportspeople or as artists.

Another reason for considering ventures with Mäori is purely economic. In 1999, Mäori commercial assets totaled over $5 billion – and these continue to grow. The assets are concentrated in farming, forestry and fisheries, and businesses such as tourism.

Mäori have become part owners of the New Zealand’s third telecommunications company – Econet. Mäori interests are estimated to control up to 37% of the total fishing quota assets of the NZ fisheries industry. About 10% of the New Zealand commercial forestry estate of 1.5 million hectares is grown on Mäori-owned land in the North Island.

In short, doing business with Maori especially in some of the areas highlighted makes good economic and commercial sense.

Developing Maori Assets

Maoridom’s most important asset is its people He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.

Growing these assets will not only benefit Mäori but also the wider society and should be viewed as a major contribution to creating an innovative New Zealand.

The reality is that if our human capital is not developed, then it will become a drain on the country’s resources.

The Mäori population is young. 2001 statistics showed that about 47% are under the age of 20. Nobody wants young Mäori growing up with the expectation of being benefit-dependent, unemployed, unhealthy and uneducated. Certainly the Mäori parents I know don’t want that.

One thing I am passionate about is the value of a good education.

Education, skill development and training are important cornerstones of this government’s approach to growing an innovative New Zealand.

I travel extensively throughout the country and as you can imagine I meet with many Maori. Often my key messages are about the need to get a good education. If you want to ‘foot’ it and make a difference then education is the key.

Government Assistance

The government is trying to develop an environment that assists innovation and business. I believe that putting the right people in touch with each other, at the right time can make a big difference. A little bit of help at the right time can be more beneficial than a whole lot of help at the wrong time.

The challenge for Mäori, government and private sector now is to tap into the entrepreneurial capability of Mäori to leverage the value of these assets to accelerate Mäori development.

Ladies and gentlemen, I leave you with this thought.

As a nation that must make its way in an increasingly competitive world surely we are wiser to embrace the best of all cultures, of all ideas, of all the available human energy, resourcefulness, and capability?

Mäori are no longer waiting for the invitation to join in. Mäori innovation, energy, resourcefulness and ideas are available if you are innovative enough to try something new.

Tënä koutou, tënä koutou, tënä koutou katoa.