report produced by Business and Economic Research Limited (BERL) in partnership with Te Pūtea Matua – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has found.

Te Ōhanga Māori 2018, released today, paints a picture of the Māori economy in 2018, showing far-reaching business activities, a diverse asset base and a growing workforce with growing skills.

The Māori economy has been put at $68.7 billion, up on the previously estimated $42.6 billion.

The report says that the financial value of "assets underpinning Te Ōhanga Māori in 2018 is estimated at $68.7 billion. This compares with an estimated $42.6 billion in 2013."

"Of this total, nearly $21 billion resides within Māori trusts, incorporations and entities, with the majority or $14 billion in the natural resource-based sectors. Within this category, sheep and beef farming continues to dominate Māori assets in the agriculture sector, although assets in horticulture including kiwifruit are growing in significance.

"Assets in the fishing industry total $2.4 billion, while just under $1 billion are in forestry sector assets. There are also a considerable quantity of assets held by Māori entities in property (industrial, commercial and residential), totalling $4.8 billion," it said.

Hillmare Schulze, BERL chief economist, has said that the Māori "asset base is increasingly diversified".

Adrian Orr, Reserve Bank Governor, notes that the BERL report was written before the pandemic but gave a snapshot of the Māori economy just before the outbreak.

This report will inform and support iwi, Māori, businesses, and the Government in its decision making about the future development and wellbeing of Māori and Aotearoa.

"Any description of the Māori economy needs to go beyond Te Tiriti settlements," Schulze said. "Many businesses and trusts existed before the beginning of the settlement processes, producing goods and delivering services. Māori employers, entrepreneurs, and employees are in every industry and every sector, generating wealth and wellbeing."

BERL is a privately owned New Zealand company providing economic analysis and advice to both public and private sector clients for over 60 years. Independent and authoritative, BERL specialises in strategic economic development regionally, nationally and with respect to the Māori economy.

You can find a copy of the report here.