Adrian Orr: Emerging challenges and lessons from the Māori Economic Renaissance

Speech by Mr Adrian Orr, Governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, to the Federation of Māori Authorities (FOMA) annual conference, Nelson, 27 September 2019.

The views expressed in this speech are those of the speaker and not the view of the BIS.

Salutations...

Thank you for inviting me to speak at your conference. It is a privilege to return to this fine annual occasion.

I'd like to acknowledge Wakatū whānau and Te Tau Ihu, and also the FOMA Board, especially Traci Houpapa (chair) and FOMA members present.

I have been involved in many FOMA events over the years wearing a variety of hats. I have always relished the experience and found it fun and challenging, and I am very proud of you all for the progress made over recent decades.

As FOMA members you represent an important segment of Māori in business in Aotearoa, and Aotearoa business, full stop. Many of you have been at the forefront of the relatively recent Māori economic renaissance following your very long period of - often forced -alienation from the business world.

Your businesses are based primarily on your whenua assets, and as a result most of you are heavily engaged in the fishing, forestry, and/or farming industries - throughout the industries value-chains. You also operate under a variety of legal frameworks, from iwi or hapū Land Trusts and Corporations, through to individual title.