People involved in the Waikato region's billion-dollar Maori economy have been exploring how to develop more wealth and ways to get tangata whenua into employment.
Nichola Te Kiri urged tangata whenua to be brave and think about becoming entrepreneurs. Photo: RNZ / Rosemary Rangitauira
The report by the Business and Economy Research (BERL) found the region's Maori asset base is worth $6.2 billion and Maori earn $189 less than non-Maori each week.
More than 50 people attended the hui at Waikato University in Hamilton. The report showed that if the Maori economy was to do well, more needed to be done to get tangata whenua into work.
Census data from 2013 showed just over 6000 Maori people are unemployed, and nearly 19,000 other tangata whenua were described as not being in the labour force.
The hui also discussed how to increase productivity of Maori assets, explore export opportunities and improve educational achievements for tangata whenua.
Maori artist and designer Nichola Te Kiri, who showcased her works at the hui, believed tangata whenua should not rely solely on the economy for jobs.
Ms Te Kiri urged them to be brave and consider becoming entrepreneurs because they are creative and talented.
The Federation of Maori Authorities, Te Puni Kokiri and Waikato-Tainui would review all feedback and look at what is achievable.
