The Federation of Maori Authorities wants to see some tangible results by Christmas from a Memorandum of Understanding reached with Business New Zealand.
Chief executive Te Horipo Karaitiana says the memorandum signed on Wednesday strengthens a relationship which has worked successfully in the past on an informal basis.
He says it adds breadth and depth to the federation's advocacy role and will bring another dimension to Business New Zealand.
Mr Karaitiana says there will be real benefits for both organisations in sharing information relating to the big issues of climate change and water.
He says the federation sees both it and the business organisation working on the common kaupapa of innovation, as being quite important.
Mr Karaitiana says the federation represents more than 140 Maori businesses with a combined asset base of $8 billion, and there are thousands of businesses associated with Business New Zealand.
