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.
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.
