A new report has found that while Maori have less than their share of Taranaki's wealth, that share is increasing.
Economic researchers Berl carried out the study for the regional development agency Venture Taranaki and Tui Ora, a health and social services umbrella organisation.
Taranaki Maori assets total more than three-quarters of a billion dollars, which Berl says is a strong foundation to boost Maori economic power.
But the report says the assets and the Maori workforce are under-utilised and better co-ordination between asset-holders would maximise wealth.
Tui Ora's chief executive Hadyen Wano says such co-operation is quietly gaining momentum.
"There have been positive initiatives that have been taking place and those iniatives are beginning to change the atmosphere," he says.
And Venture Taranaki says Maori are increasingly taking part as shareholders, owners and managers in the dairy, energy and engineering sectors.
One of the report's authors Jason Lueng-Wai says its a strong foundation to boost Maori economic power.
He says Maori can be a bigger economic player in the region.
