Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Summit for emerging Maori business leaders

Updated at 6:30 am on 9 February 2012

The Sir Hugh Kawharu Foundation is on Thursday bringing together up and coming Maori leaders and business people in Auckland at a Maori Business Leadership Symposium.

The growing size of the Maori economy and preparation for a post treaty settlement environment are two main reasons for the convention, and the need to develop new leaders to take Maoridom forward.

The trustee of the foundation, who is the youngest daughter of the late Sir Hugh Kawharu, Amokura Kawharu, says it's the first forum of its kind that will look at appropriate governance models and identify economic opportunities for Maori.

Ms Kawharu says besides the governance and economic aspects, the hui is a chance to encourage emerging tribal leaders from various iwi and to take their lead from some of the veteran rangatira.

She says her role is to develop leadership, and to bring together people who are interested in developing the Maori economy and to share some ideas.

Ms Kawharu says the symposium is encouraging Maori people between the ages of 25 and 40 with entrepreneurial skills, excellent academic achievement, business skills and potential leadership qualities to attend the forum.

Some of the guest speakers addressing the hui include Tukoroirangi Morgan of Waikato-Tainui, Maori Television CEO Jim Mather, and Whaimutu Dewes of Contact Energy and Aotearoa Fisheries.

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