Maori businesses are struggling to find the right staff, a banking survey shows.
The ANZ Bank survey of 172 operators showed there were recruiting difficulties across the spectrum, including workers, management, board members and advisers.
Iwi and hapu report their long-term goal is to develop talent from within their tribes and whanau networks.
But in the meantime, they say their immediate focus is on finding the best people for the job - and it's a bonus if they're Maori.
ANZ says the potential pipeline of talent is huge, with a quarter of all children under 15 being Maori, and tribes are taking steps to tap into that talent.
It says one iwi is supporting students in local schools by offering mentoring schemes to help them get the qualifications they need to enter tertiary education.
In the boardroom, skill shortages are being tackled by appointing advisory panels to bring in expertise.
The details are published in the Maori Business Key Insights Report - Te Tirohanga Whānui, which is part of the ANZ privately owned business barometer.
