Propelling Māori trade forward

The New Zealand general election, an impending recession and peak interest rates will dominate conversations in 2023 and will have undeniable impacts on global trade.

But there will also be key opportunities, and Te Taumata believes Māori businesses will be among the best positioned to capitalise on them.

Driving and advocating for Māori interest in trade remains the primary focus for Te Taumata, and we will achieve this through several kaupapa in 2023.

Māori-led trade missions

Te Puia, Rotorua

Māori culture and values are two crucial aspects that set Aotearoa New Zealand apart on the global stage and should not just be clipped on to a trade mission as a means of entertainment.

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Te Taumata is working closely with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) to develop a programme of Māori-led trade missions that shine a spotlight on Māori businesses and products.

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The first of these trade missions is planned for February, with a delegation going to the UK ahead of the NZ/UK Free Trade Agreement coming into force.

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If your Māori business is interested in being involved in these trade missions, please contact Chris Insley: Chris@tearawafisheries.maori.nz.

Te Pā Tū. Photo/Miles Holden

Whakarewarewa Living Maori Village

Implementing free trade agreements

Te Taumata played an integral role in advocating for Māori interests in the negotiations for free trade agreements with the United Kingdom, and the European Union.

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These efforts resulted in unparalleled benefits for Māori, a ground-breaking indigenous chapter, and critical protection of Māori intellectual property.

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Both these agreements are expected to come into force in 2023 and Te Taumata is working with Māori and government officials to ensure businesses are able to capitalise on these agreements straight away.

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Māori businesses are in a particularly strong position to maximise the benefits of these agreements in 2023 as many are unencumbered by debt and less likely to be negatively impacted by the impending recession.

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You can read more about the UK and EU free trade agreements here, and here.

Māori inclusion in trade negotiations

Katoa Lake Rotorua. Photo/Joel McDowell

With the finalisation of trade deals between New Zealand and the UK and EU, About 75 per cent of the nation’s goods exports are now covered by free trade agreements.

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That figure is set to rise even further in 2023, with negotiations expected to conclude on multiple trade deals, including the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), the New Zealand-Pacific Alliance FTA, the NZ-Gulf Co-operation Council FTA, and updating the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

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Te Taumata will ensure Māori views and interests are represented in every single one of these negotiations, now and into the future.

Hosting regional trade hui

One in four Māori jobs is directly related to international trade, making it a significant sector for the growth and prosperity of our people.

Te Taumata has hosted six regional trade hui since its inception and plans are underway to ramp that up in 2023.

The purpose of these hui is to provide a space for key players in the trade industry to come together to share and discuss any issues, opportunities, and trade strategies.

They are also an opportunity to connect ministers and trade officials with Māori business leaders and trade experts who can help inform international trade negotiations.

Te Taumata will deliver its seventh hui in Tāmaki Makaurau in March, with plans to host two more hui later in the year.

Keeping Māori informed during the general election

The eyes and ears of the country will be on New Zealand’s political parties as they work to convince Kiwis they should be the ones running the show.

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The state of the economy, climate change and commerce are expected to be hot topics in the election and covered off extensively in the media.

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But Te Taumata wants to hear it directly from the parties, how their policies and promises will help Māori, not just in relation to these issues, but across the board.

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That is why Te Taumata is working to secure face-to-face conversations with the leaders of every major political party in the lead-up to the election.

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These conversations will be shared with our extensive Māori databases, ensuring our people are informed and empowered to vote for the party that will advance Māori interests in every way.