Key Takeaways:
- The Māori Queen, Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po, has launched the ‘Kotahitanga Fund’, a new multi-million-dollar Māori investment platform.
- The fund aims to leverage the collective strength and scale of the Māori economy, which is valued at $126 billion.
- The initiative has already received initial seed funding of approximately $100 million from some iwi.
- The fund will focus on investing in opportunities that deliver real outcomes for Māori people and solid returns that grow wealth for generations to come.
- The launch of the Kotahitanga Fund is part of a broader effort to advance indigenous economic initiatives and grow the Māori economy.
Introduction to the Kotahitanga Fund
The Māori Queen, Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po, has launched the ‘Kotahitanga Fund’, a new multi-million-dollar Māori investment platform. The announcement was made at the inaugural hanga ki te Ao Māori Economic Summit in Hamilton, which brought together over 200 iwi representatives, business leaders, sovereign wealth fund heads, and other delegates from around the world. The Kotahitanga Fund is a significant initiative that aims to leverage the collective strength and scale of the Māori economy, which is valued at $126 billion.
The Vision Behind the Kotahitanga Fund
According to Te Arikinui, the Kotahitanga Fund is more than just an investment tool – it’s a declaration that Māori are ready to invest in themselves, their brilliance, and their future. The fund is designed to enable Māori to achieve scale, make meaningful change, and grow the Māori economy. Te Arikinui credited her late father, Kiingi Tuheitia, with the vision behind the new initiative, and expressed her commitment to executing this vision. The fund will be guided by a principles-based approach, with a focus on investing in opportunities that deliver real outcomes for Māori people and solid returns that grow wealth for generations to come.
The hanga ki te Ao Māori Economic Summit
The launch of the Kotahitanga Fund marked the end of the hanga ki te Ao summit, which was held at Te Pā on the University of Waikato campus. The summit provided a platform for iwi and business leaders to discuss strategies for advancing indigenous economic initiatives and growing the Māori economy. The event featured keynote speakers, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, and was attended by delegates from across the country, Asia, Australia, the Pacific, Europe, and North America. The summit was organized at the behest of Te Arikinui, who called for the event during her first Koroneihana speech at Turangawaewae Marae in September.
Growing the Māori Economy
The summit highlighted the importance of growing the Māori economy, which is currently valued at $126 billion. According to Te Tari o Te Kiingitanga chairperson Rukumoana Schaafhausen, growing the Māori economy requires more than just individual action – it requires relationships and kotahitanga (unity). Schaafhausen emphasized the need for Māori to build relationships based on trust, shared vision, and a re-imagining of what’s possible when working together. Ngāi Tahu chairman Justin Tipa, who was part of a panel discussion on growing indigenous economies, noted that the "real" economic power for Māori would be in their ability to collectivize and form strategic alliances that unlock opportunities for scale.
International Interest in Māori Economic Initiatives
The summit also attracted international interest, with attendees from sovereign wealth funds and other organizations expressing interest in Māori economic initiatives. Duncan Bonfield, chief executive of the International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds, noted that a collectivized approach to economics was attractive to members of his organization. Bonfield said that there was a growing movement among indigenous groups to take control of their financial destinies, and that the Māori effort to unite and accelerate their economic development was impressive. The next Kohinga Koha business expo will be hosted in Tauranga Moana, providing another opportunity for Māori businesses and investors to connect and explore opportunities for growth and development.
Conclusion
The launch of the Kotahitanga Fund and the hanga ki te Ao Māori Economic Summit mark an important milestone in the development of the Māori economy. The initiative has the potential to leverage the collective strength and scale of the Māori economy, and to deliver real outcomes for Māori people and solid returns that grow wealth for generations to come. As the Māori economy continues to grow and develop, it is likely to attract increasing interest from international investors and organizations. With its focus on principles-based investing and collective action, the Kotahitanga Fund is well-placed to play a key role in advancing Māori economic initiatives and growing the Māori economy.