If you’re a data geek like me, you’ll already be all over
Te Ōhanga Māori 2023. Released every five years by Business and Economic Research (BERL), this report provides trends and insights about the Māori economy. The most recent update confirms what we already knew: Māori enterprise is not just thriving – it’s reshaping the economic future of this country.
The Māori economy grew by a massive 88% between 2018 and 2023, compared to an overall national growth of 30%. Māori businesses contribute $32 billion to the national GDP, nearly 9% of the total, and up by $15 billion since 2018. This isn’t just growth; it’s a fundamental shift in Aotearoa’s economic landscape.
It brings me back to the reason I started
NAIA in the first place – to help Kiwi businesses develop the cultural intelligence they need to engage meaningfully with Māori. The data in Te Ōhanga Māori makes it very clear: understanding Māori culture isn’t optional anymore – it’s essential to running a successful, sustainable business. That’s where cultural intelligence (CQ) comes in.
If businesses want to build genuine, lasting relationships with Māori, CQ is their best tool. It differs from other cultural training programmes on the market because it recognises that true partnership is not just about knowing the right greeting or attending the occasional pōwhiri. It’s about being open to different ways of thinking, recognising the values that drive Māori business, and adapting ways of working to foster trust and collaboration. CQ means having the motivation to engage, the skills to communicate effectively and the willingness to adapt and adjust. Ultimately, it’s about listening, learning, and acting with respect.
When people come to us for CQ training, one of the biggest misconceptions they have is that Māori businesses operate just like non-Māori businesses, only with a bit of tikanga sprinkled in. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Māori organisations are deeply values-driven, prioritising intergenerational wellbeing, collective decision-making and sustainable outcomes over short-term profits. These values are not peripheral – they sit at the heart of how business is done in te ao Māori.
At the recent 2025 New Zealand Infrastructure Investment Summit,
Māori leaders made it clear that the Māori economy is not just participating in the national economy – it is shaping it. Tukoroirangi Morgan put it plainly: “The Māori economy is undeniable. The long-term salvation of this country relies on the contribution from the Māori economy.” Jamie Tuuta added: “Governments will come and go, prime ministers will come and go, but I’ll tell you who will always be here – Māori and iwi.”
That long-term thinking is what we seek to teach businesses through CQ training. Māori are playing the long game, investing in people, relationships and patient capital. If NZ businesses want to tap into the opportunities offered by the growing Māori economy, they must be willing to do the same.
Developing cultural intelligence isn’t about memorising a list of dos and don’ts. It’s about a mindset shift – being open, listening deeply, and recognising that different perspectives bring strength. And for those who are serious about meaningful engagement, there are
places like NAIA that can help build CQ and foster stronger, more authentic relationships with Māori partners.
Now is the time to invest in understanding, in trust, and in the kind of partnerships that create real impact. Because when we get this right, we don’t just grow our businesses – we grow our nation.
