Towards a SMART Maori Economy
Post COVID-19
Mā te kaha o te mahi i roto i te mātauranga, ka whakawhiwhia.
Tōia mai te pae tawhiti kia tata
Kia tina te rā nei
Pupuritia ngā akoranga ō mua hei tauira mā nāianei
Hei aha?
Hei kawea i a tātou ki ngā rā e tū mai!
It is through hard work and knowledge that we will achieve.
Bring forth our aspirations and lay them out before us
Consolidate these aspirations and make them a reality
So grasp the ways of old and bring them into this day and age
For what reason?
To take us forward into the future!
– Danny Poihipi (Te Whanau a Apanui)
Opening Mihi
E nga mana, e nga reo, e nga iwi
E rau rangatira ma
Nau mai, haere mai, piki mai
Tena koutou, tena kotou, tena tatou katoa!
In this time of growing protectionism as countries of the world turn inward, Te Taumata instead is systematically pushing outwards and forging new friendships and partnerships across Aotearoa and the globe to leading institutions, new markets and especially reaching out to our indigenous whanau across the world.
Historically in tough times it would often come down to institutions like the Reserve Bank to lower interest rates to stimulate economic activity, but interest rates today are already low. The Reserve Bank on its own does not have the tools for these unprecedented times.
We now need to collectively step-up as Maori and, partner with Government to flex and leverage the opportunity created for us by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s efforts and leadership to adeptly navigate our country and our whanau through these extraordinary times!
Here we have assembled a series of 13 articles on the factors that are shaping the environment we see in front of us and events happening internationally with other indigenous peoples. Importantly we profile here some of the awesome mahi happening with our whanau across the motu.
I commend these taonga (treasures) to you!
Chris Karamea Insley
Tiamana
Te Taumata
Phone +64 21 972 782
INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT & MAORI TRADE
Post COVID-19 Trade Environment
The World Trade Organisation is predicting a contraction of global trade flows of between 13-32%. Not surprisingly, therefore many policy makers are predicting a serious global economic contraction over the coming half year which may reduce demand for exports – including from New Zealand.
Unfortunately, we are also seeing a rise in protectionism which will worsen this situation. Over the past six weeks, for instance, at least 75 WTO members have in place more than 100 new protectionist measures. Before the crisis, some estimates indicated that these kinds of protectionism cost our agricultural exporters – including many Māori businesses – up to $6billion a year.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) has acted swiftly to recalibrate its trade policy to respond to the crisis. This has been in two parts – the immediate term; and the short to medium term.
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Maori Intellectual Property &
Towards a SMART Maori Economy
Te Taumata’s comprehensive analysis by world-class technical experts which was submitted to Minister of Maori Development, Hon. Nanaia Mahuta, is now available to view online.
The study, titled ‘Maori Interests and Geographic Indicators – Strategic Intellectual Property Management enabling Maori whanau development’, proposes a new approach for Maori to secure and benefit from both tangible and intangible assets, nationally and internationally, and outlines initial steps towards creating a ‘smart’, collective Maori economy.
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Harvard First Nations Program
The Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development and the Native Nations Institute at the University of Arizona release a proposal for fair distribution of federal CARES Act COVID-19 response funds to the 574 federally recognized American Indian nations.
A team of researchers from Harvard, the University of Arizona, and University of California, Los Angeles today released its proposal for fairly allocating the $8 billion of Title V CARES Act monies earmarked for the governments of federally recognized American Indian and Alaskan Native nations. The Act requires that the funds be released immediately and that they be used for actions taken to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. These may include costs incurred by tribal governments to respond directly to the crisis, such as medical or public health expenditures by tribal health departments. Eligible costs may also include the burdens associated with what the U.S. Treasury Department calls “second-order effects”, such as having to provide economic support to those suffering from employment or business interruptions due to pandemic-driven business closures.
First Nations – Maori Professional Exchange Program
Two things define me: hard work and the need to keep moving.
My aunty tells me it’s in my blood. The Cree were nomadic, traveling the plains in search of buffalo, berries and medicines. My grandfather walked 40km from the bush into town each week to work as a manual labourer before he lied about his age, enlisted in the military and travelled to Europe to fight in WW2. And having two parents who were raised without running water or electricity instilled an unmistakable work ethic in me.
However, my situation is far from unique. Indigenous Peoples around the world have proven they are essential pillars of national and global economies. We’ve had to overcome a number of challenges to get there, but our hard work and the efforts of the generations before us, has paid off.
Both the Canadian and New Zealand governments have highlighted the importance of economic reconciliation with their respective Indigenous Peoples and have identified Indigenous businesses in both countries as one of the fastest growing sectors.
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W: www.canativenergy.com
E: rwhitford@canativenergy.com
Engaging Maori Exporters into Asia
Te Taumata has been in discussions with the Asia New Zealand Foundation, Te Whītau Tūhono, on how the Foundation can support Māori exporters to thrive in Asia. The Foundation is New Zealand’s leading authority on Asia, which offers opportunities for New Zealanders to grow their confidence and awareness of the region.
Taumata board members met with Executive Director Simon Draper and his team on 29 April and subsequently exchanged letters outlining potential areas of cooperation.
Simon shared that Foundation research commissioned in 2018 demonstrated that Māori have the edge when it comes to engagement with Asia.
Country-to-Country Maori Digital Trading
Trading through digital exchange is becoming a reality and has certainly interested indigenous colleagues in the United States. We’re now actively working with them to push a Digital Economic Partnership Agreement (DEPA) into real action between ourselves.
To assist that, we met with one of our whanaunga and President Director of Ata Marie Group, George Kuru. He’s been based in Jakarta for 14 years and married into the community.
George has high level experience in forestry and agribusiness, both academic and practical qualifications, and has been working on the digital space internationally.
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W: www.ata-marie.com
E: info@ata-marie.co.id
P: +62 21 72789411
APEC 2021
APEC remains an important part of New Zealand and the region's recovery and we are committed to hosting APEC. The importance of APEC for New Zealand has only grown, as it is the regional body best placed to take on the economic challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
In the past, APEC has played an important role in managing crises, like the Asian Financial Crisis and the Global Financial Crisis (GFC). We hope APEC can stand up again and support the region’s recovery.
We are working closely with the current APEC hosts Malaysia to understand their response as it is important in shaping own host year as APEC chair. In response to COVID-19 developments, 2020 host Malaysia has postponed upcoming key meetings and is reviewing their delivery for 2020.
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OUR MAORI STORIES FROM HOME
Smart New Generation Maori Bio-Forestry
NZ Bio Forestry has its origins with a group of New Zealand Māori and has been co-developed by innovative business leaders from New Zealand, Taiwan and Singapore.
The plan is to develop a new frontier bio-economy in New Zealand from forestry biomass. We believe 7-10 facilities can be developed in NZ over 20 years beginning with the first from 2020/23. The objective is to replace petroleum and fossil-derived products. Starting with PLA (from waste/residuals) for food services and packaging, we also see further value in converting waste streams from this process for bio-adhesives, bio-extracts, bio-materials and bio-fuel. We are proponents of a Green Economy and indigenous models.
We plan to create new capacity in state-of-the-art manufacturing, and new R&D capability. We secured technology rights and partnerships from Taiwan for the NZ and Australian markets.
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Smart & Systematic move up Value Chain in Te Arawa
Te Kotahitanga o Te Arawa is systematically moving up the value chain from its initial role as a transactor of fish quota received through Treaty settlements.
The trust, which represents 11 iwi of Te Arawa waka, will shift to a deliberate strategy, migrating away from being virtual commodity traders of fish quota, to high-value niche markets and both backward-and-forward vertical integration over the medium to longer term.
A review of recent years’ revenue streams reveals New Zealand and global wildstock fisheries are increasingly under threat from overfishing. Increased government regulation, in response to public concerns about the long-term sustainability of New Zealand fisheries, is also putting at risk the New Zealand and global fishing industries’ license to operate. Furthermore, climate change is the major elephant in the room no-one wants to confront.
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W: www.tearawafisheries.maori.nz
E: Chris@tearawafisheries.maori.nz
Smart Iwi Aquaculture in Bay of Plenty
Ngā Iwi o Mataatua are exploring pathways to a sustainable, resilient, and world-class Māori aquaculture industry in the Bay of Plenty.
The 10-month project primarily focuses on offshore water space but is also considering land and geothermal-based aquaculture opportunities. Not an exercise in 'business as usual', the project looks to the potential of viable innovation that aligns with Te Ao Māori, taking a systems approach that maintains ecosystem health, and contributes to community livelihoods and wellbeing. Key to this vision is:
- Maori economic development: growing people through job creation, training, career pathways, and research and leadership opportunities.
- Empowering and exercising kaitiakitanga and maintaining and enhancing the mauri of Te Moana Nui-a-Toi.
Smart Values-based Commerce with KONO
Kia ora everyone – we wanted you to be amongst the first to see the new look for Kono, our food and drinks company.
We’re really proud of the new face of Kono, which encapsulates the power of four - four corners of beautifully woven harakeke kono from which we take our name, four iwi to whom our owners whakapapa, and ‘ngā wāhanga e whā o te tau’, giving us our four seasons.
There is a lot of inspiration behind the design, and you can find out more about the characteristics, qualities, and values that infuse our icon, that connect Kono to the customs of ages past, the design practices of today, and our aspirations for the future, by watching this video and exploring the Kono website www.kono.co.nz
Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou, ka ora ai te iwi. With my basket and yours, we, the people will prosper and be well.
Rachel Taulelei
CEO Kono
Onuku Farms & Software Development
General Manager for Onuku Ltd, Les Stowell, knows the value of being a Maori brand.
Recently attending the Apimondia conference in Montreal, Canada – the International Apicultural congress and attending also the Canadian Health Food Association (CFHA) Expo in Toronto, Les found the interest in manuka honey is still intense but more so when it is backed by a Maori brand with a great provenance story. Buyers are wanting traceability of product, but also the knowledge that their purchase is resulting in social good. Onuku Ltd is a 100% owned subsidiary of Onuku Maori Lands Trust and provides education grants, Kaumatua Grants and shares its profits with its owners and this is a great marketing benefit.
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Smart Maori Land & Water Management
The small coastal town of Omaio in Te Whanau a Apanui is placing matauranga Maori and climate science at the centre of their food and water management.
Trustee of the Wharawhara 13 Lands Trust, Peter Insley, is completing a Masters Degree in Environmental Management. He has been working with New Zealand’s leading climate scientists to develop world-leading land and water modelling tools for use on Maori lands, to help develop smart and sustainable land options. This includes installation of automatic weather station technology connected to a series of soil and stream sensors.
The technology continuously gathers real-time data and feeds back to a central database, which then pushes land and water use options back out to whanau and landowners via a smartphone app.
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VALUES-BASED LESSONS
What we can learn from Te Ao Māori
We have much to learn from Te Ao Māori, the Māori world view - not least learning to live as one with nature rather than believing we can control ecosystems, writes Rod Oram.
Over recent years, Te Ao Māori, the Māori world view, has been turning up in more and more traditionally Pākeha places such as the Reserve Bank, the 11 National Science Challenges and most recently in the Primary Sector Council’s vision and strategy document.
Even more importantly, these and other institutions are taking a great interest in Te Ao Māori not just to help Māori strengthen their culture and communities. They are starting to assimilate it to improve themselves. They see wisdom in the Māori understanding that we humans are inherently a dependent part of all living systems. We are not the dominant force with free rein to exploit without limits the natural world.
In contrast, the Western world view of dominion over nature was certainly a factor that has helped drive humankind’s vast expansion of knowledge, technology, economies, resource extraction and pollution over the past few centuries. But there is absolutely no doubt in science that we have hit the limits of such exploitation. One of the best of many guides to this is the Planetary Boundaries research of the Stockholm Resilience Centre.
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Future generations need us to have courage
Future generations need us to have courage. Their prosperity depends on our generations to reset our mindset to make this happen. We have gone from a period where we were accelerating forward to a period where we have passive mindset. This needs to change.
Aotearoa New Zealand is special. There is an abundance of great things that contribute to this country we are proud to call home.
Our generation, from millennials through to baby-boomers, experience the fruits of abundance because of the endeavors of the “silent generations” who protected Aotearoa New Zealand for us and built the platform post the world wars. Our generation also recognises that there is a responsibility now to ensure the wellbeing of future generations.
As a nation we also continue to leave a large group of our people behind, whose wellbeing is constrained by inequality of income and opportunity. If our generation is going to leave a legacy for our children and their children that we will be proud of we will need to change how we act today. We must consider how we build on strengths, invest for next generation and set flight on a new path that supports their wellbeing, not ours.
The actions expressed in this document are an interpretation of what is needed based on the experience of working with 100’s of commercial and social enterprises and with 1000s of individuals over the last 30 years. They reflect what I see and diagnose from the facts and what I feel is right though my “heart and soul”.
Simon Hunter
MSH Aotearoa
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Closing Mihi
While COVID-19 is unprecedented in the impact it is having on many of our whanau, it has created the space and opportunity to pause, rethink, and indeed reshape the future into a more resilient and sustainable future for our mokopuna.
Our mokos need us to have courage now! Their prosperity depends on our generations to reset our mindset to make this happen. We have gone from a period where we were accelerating forward to a period where we have passive mindset. This has to change!
Please share this panui far and wide across your networks and whanau, and click here to REGISTER on our database to join us on this hikoi!
No reira, kia kaha tatou, kia manawanui!
Chris Karamea Insley
Tiamana
Te Taumata
Phone +64 21 972 782
