The University of Waikato’s Tupu Rangatahi – Tupu Ahuwhenua Māori agribusiness programme will help unlock the full economic potential of Māori and Aotearoa, says Lee Matheson.
The size of the Māori economy has been conservatively estimated at $70 billion, with a growth trajectory to $100bn by 2030. Approximately $23bn of this is tied to the primary sector.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Māori enterprises collectively account for 40% of New Zealand’s forestry, 50% of the country’s fishing quota, 30% of sheep and beef production and 10% of dairy production.
And this doesn’t even include Māori investment in post-harvest processing and the wider agri-food value chain, where Māori entrepreneurship is thriving through ventures such as Miraka, the Wellington Kaimoana Hub, Mīti, and Tohu Wines.
Clearly, Māori play a critical role in the engine room of the New Zealand economy.
At Perrin Ag, we have long focused on helping farm owners and managers optimise performance, manage risk and take advantage of new opportunites to support their goals and ambitions. A significant portion of this has been, and continues to be, in the Māori agribusiness sector.
Over time, we’ve been increasingly called on to support these clients’ aspirations beyond the farm gate, reflecting the growing ambition of Māori to have ownwership across the entire agri value chain.
We also recognise a growing desire to see more people with whakapapa involved in managing and supporting these businesses – a kaupapa we wholeheartedly support and strive to enable.
While we remain committed to continuing to support our traditional agricultural universities, we see considerable value in helping grow capability within the wider agribusiness sector.
Even the most traditional farming businesses are now connected in some way to what happens beyond their cattle stop. Directly supporting the aspirations of mana whenua to contribute to an industry in which they are already a cornerstone is also incredibly important to us.
That’s why we’re proud to be one of the foundation supporters of the University of Waikato’s Tupu Rangatahi – Tupu Ahuwhenua Māori agribusiness programme.
Developed in partnership with the New Zealand Institute of Primary Industry Management, this specialist agribusiness degree is deeply connected to Te Ao Māori and focused on equipping graduates with the skills to support Māori aspirations for their whenua.
As our primary industries navigate increasing uncertainty, one thing is clear – unlocking the full economic potential of Māori and Aotearoa New Zealand as a whole will take talent, energy and vision.
Young Māori professionals will play a critical role in shaping our future, and we look forward to seeing the Tupu Rangatahi – Tupu Ahuwhenua programme help drive this progress.
By Lee Matheson, Matheson is managing director of Perrin Ag.
You can now read the most important #news on #eDairyNews #Whatsapp channels!!!
🇺🇸 eDairy News INGLÊS: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaKsjzGDTkJyIN6hcP1K
