Waikato-Tainui says it faces a huge challenge to help some of its members find work.
Recent figures from Statistics New Zealand show the national Maori unemployment rate has risen to 15.1% - a jump of 2.3% in three months.
Waikato-Tainui says it has long-term plans to provide more education for some of its people so they can find skilled and well-paid work.
Tom Roa - the chair of the tribe's executive arm, Te Arataura - says in the short-term there are only so many jobs they can create.
He says he encourages his tribe's business arm - Tainui Group Holdings - to provide employment.
Mr Roa says they've also asked Waikato River Clean-Up Trust to provide opportunities, as the body is jointly run by the iwi and the Crown.
