He Kai Kei Aku Ringa: Strategy and action plan

He Kai Kei Aku Ringa: Māori-Crown Economic Growth Partnership 2023 (He Kai Kei Aku Ringa 2023), provides an organising framework to drive an all-of-government focus on achieving positive economic outcomes for Māori.

The strategy was initially published in 2013. It was updated in 2023 to respond to changes in our economy. From 2013 to 2018, the Māori economy grew faster than the New Zealand economy; 37% in real growth, compared to national growth in GDP of 20%. There is an important opportunity to consolidate and extend this growth for the benefit of Māori and for all of Aotearoa. There is also urgent need to ensure this growth will serve the needs of future generations of Māori, as the Māori population is young and fast-growing

Overarching vision

He Kai Kei Aku Ringa has been both the name and the vision for the Māori-Crown Economic Growth Partnership since its launch in 2013.

The whakatauki ‘He Kai Kei Aku Ringa,’ literally means to provide the food you need from your own hands. This whakataukī was chosen as the name of the strategy because it reflects the resilience of Māori. In a contemporary sense it signifies that sustained resilience, self-empowerment, hope and the economic self-determination of Māori.

The strategy has fulfilled its vision when:

• Māori experience transformational change in economic prosperity.
• Māori experience transformational change in wellbeing
• New Zealand experiences transformational change in national economic prosperity.

This updated vision broadens the focus of He Kai Kei Aku Ringa 2013 to include prosperity and wellbeing.

The objectives

He Kai Kei Aku Ringa 2023 contains a vision and 5 objectives that were refined following discussions with Māori stakeholders.

The objectives are:

• Te Taiao: A low emissions, circular and climate resilient Māori economy as a prerequisite for Māori wellbeing.
• Mana Tuku Iho: Māori identity in the economy enables Māori success.
• Mana Tauutuutu: Supporting economic prosperity as a key enabler of community and whānau sustainability.
• Mana Āheinga: Māori are enabled to chart their own course for the future.
• Mana Whanake: Building foundations for the future.

He Ara Waiora

He Kai Kei Aku Ringa: Māori-Crown Economic Growth Partnership 2023 builds on the principles of He Ara Waiora. This grounds the refresh in te ao Māori and supports the interconnected and holistic nature of wellbeing for Māori.

You can read more on He Ara Waiora below:

He Ara Waiora(external link) — The Treasury

Actions to support the Strategy

He Kai Kei Aku Ringa 2023 will be delivered through an action plan that draws together new and emerging projects from across government agencies.

The action plan has been designed to provide space to develop innovative, commercial opportunities both within existing projects and through new partnership opportunities.

You can find more details on the action plan here:

Māori Economic Development Advisory Board (MEDAB)

The Māori Economic Development Advisory Board, created alongside He Kai Kei Aku Ringa in 2013, continues to provide input as we progress He Kai Kei Aku Ringa to 2040.

Government agencies

The Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE) and Te Puni Kōkiri are responsible for leading He Kai Kei Aku Ringa 2023. MBIE also provides secretariat support to the Māori Economic Development Advisory Board.

MBIE, Te Puni Kōkiri and 4 other public sector agencies are responsible for the foundational projects. These agencies include:

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT)
• New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE)
• Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI)
• The Treasury

Further partnerships will be added to this list over time, including those that are currently under development alongside new opportunities.

More information on foundational projects