The Māori Economy Report

The Māori economy is booming – pakihi Māori are growing faster than ever, now contributing $32 billion dollars to Aotearoa's economy. Te Ōhanga Māori 2023 report shows a values-driven, diverse, and increasingly influential Māori economy.

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the māori economy

A strong, growing, diversified component of the Aotearoa economy.

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The Māori economy is transforming

The Māori economy has grown from $17B (6.5% of GDP) in 2018 to $32B (8.4%) in 2023, shifting from primary industries to real estate, property, and professional services.

Exponential growth in the Māori asset base

The Māori asset base has grown from $69B in 2018 to $126B in 2023, with $66B in business assets of Māori employers, $41B in Māori collective assets, and $19B held by self-employed Māori.

Entrepreneurship growth

Māori entrepreneurship grew strongly from 2018 to 2023, with self-employment up 50% and Māori employers increasing by 31%, though representation still lags behind the national average.

Kaupapa Māori in Business

Pakihi Māori are not just about profit – they prioritise whānau, sustainability, and social impact. We see collectives and iwi enterprises reinvesting in their communities, creating intergenerational wealth, and strengthening cultural resilience.

More high-skilled jobs than low-skilled jobs

For the first time since 2006, more Māori hold high-skilled jobs (45%) than low-skilled jobs (43%), reflecting a positive workforce shift from 2018 when these figures were 35% and 53%, respectively.

Economic disparity persists for Māori households

Economic disparity persists for Māori households, with lower home ownership (52% vs. 67% for non-Māori) and greater reliance on government support (33% vs. 9%), though reliance has stabilised for the first time since 2006.
the māori economy

Tāmaki Makaurau Māori Economy

Auckland is home to 23% of all Māori businesses, positioning it as the largest hub for Māori enterprise.

Unlike other regions, only 1% of Māori in Tāmaki Makaurau work in primary industries, highlighting the city’s shift towards service-driven sectors.

Despite challenges such as low home ownership rates, Māori employers in Auckland earn the highest average incomes, indicating both obstacles and opportunities ahead.

As a Whāriki partners with Tataki Auckland Unlimited to grow the Māori economy in Tāmaki Makaurau through initiatives such as the Treasures of Tāmaki platform.
the māori economy

Key statistics

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Pakihi Māori by Industry - all Aotearoa (MBIE data and Whāriki members)
MBIE Te Ōhanga Māori Report
  1. Construction (23.6%)
  2. Agriculture, forestry and fishing (21.1%)
  3. Professional, scientific and technical services (12.9%)
  4. Administrative, support and other services (9.4%)
  5. Retail, accommodatiuon and food services (7.4%)
  6. Real estate and property services (7.3%)
  7. Manufacturing (4.1%)
  8. Transport, postal and warehousing (3.7%)
  9. Information media, arts and recreation services (2.9%)
  10. Health care and social assistance (2.7%)
  11. Wholesale trade (2.1%)
  12. Financial and insurance services (1.5%)
  13. Education and training (1.3%)
  14. Not elsewhere included (0.1%)
Whāriki Māori Business Network
  1. Construction (14.3%)
  2. Agriculture, forestry and fishing (1.3%)
  3. Professional, scientific and technical services (16.7%)
  4. Administrative, support and other services (4.5%)
  5. Retail, accommodatiuon and food services (20.4%)
  6. Real estate and property services (3.7%)
  7. Manufacturing (0.9%)
  8. Transport, postal and warehousing (2.7%)
  9. Information media, arts and recreation services (18.1%)
  10. Health care and social assistance (7.5%)
  11. Wholesale trade (0.0%)
  12. Financial and insurance services (2.3%)
  13. Education and training (7.7%)
  14. Not elsewhere included (0.0%)
Pakihi Māori by Industry - Tāmaki Makaurau (MBIE data and Whāriki members)
MBIE Te Ōhanga Māori Report
  1. Construction (27%)
  2. Professional, scientific and technical services (19%)
  3. Administrative, support and other services (15%)
  4. Retail, accommodatiuon and food services (8%)
  5. Real estate and property services (6%)
  6. Manufacturing (5%)
  7. Transport, postal and warehousing (4%)
  8. Health care and social assistance (4%)
  9. Wholesale trade (3%)
  10. Agriculture, forestry and fishing (3%)
  11. Financial and insurance services (2%)
  12. Information media, arts and recreation services (2%)
  13. Education and training (1%)
  14. Not elsewhere included (0.0%)
Whāriki Māori Business Network
  1. Construction (17%)
  2. Professional, scientific and technical services (16%)
  3. Administrative, support and other services (3%)
  4. Retail, accommodatiuon and food services (20%)
  5. Real estate and property services (4%)
  6. Manufacturing (1%)
  7. Transport, postal and warehousing (3%)
  8. Health care and social assistance (6%)
  9. Wholesale trade (0.1%)
  10. Agriculture, forestry and fishing (1%)
  11. Financial and insurance services (3%)
  12. Information media, arts and recreation services (19%)
  13. Education and training (7%)
  14. Not elsewhere included (0.0%)
Pakihi Māori by Rohe (MBIE data and Whāriki members)
MBIE Te Ōhanga Māori Report
  1. Tāmaki Makaurau
  2. Waitaha
  3. Te Moana a Toi-Waiariki
  4. Te Whanganui ā Tara/Kurahaupō
  5. Te Tai Tokerau
  6. Te Tai Hauāuru
  7. Waikato
  8. Tākitimu
  9. Te Tau Ihu
  10. Tairāwhiti
Whāriki Māori Business Network
  1. Tāmaki Makaurau
  2. Waitaha
  3. Te Moana a Toi-Waiariki
  4. Te Whanganui ā Tara/Kurahaupō
  5. Te Tai Tokerau
  6. Te Tai Hauāuru
  7. Waikato
  8. Tākitimu
  9. Te Tau Ihu
  10. Tairāwhiti