Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy said this was a core part of the ministry’s Maori agribusiness programme.
“The aim is to help owners make informed decisions on improving their assets by connecting them with the right skills and knowledge.”
This has involved a range of projects covering different property sizes, land-holding structures and uses. The evaluation found the programme made a “valuable and worthwhile contribution”.
The second report – Growing the productive base of Maori freehold land – by Pricewaterhouse Coopers updated and refined estimates around the potential value of Maori freehold land.
“The report estimates that between 2013 and 2025, improvements in the performance of Maori freehold land could provide an accumulated real increase in gross domestic product (GDP) of $2.3 billion.
“On top of this, forestry could provide an additional accumulated real increase in GDP of $1.2b for the period 2013-2055.”
Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell said the two reports confirmed the value of Maori land owners working with the private sector and government agencies.
“These two reports confirm the enormous potential there is in Maori land across New Zealand, and that we are on the right track with a collaborative approach.”
He said the reports aligned with the Maori Economic Development Strategy: He Kai Kei Aku Ringa, which set out a blueprint for growing the Maori economy to 2040.
