Māori authorities control $32.6 billion asset base as economic growth accelerates

Aotearoa’s Māori economy is entering a significant new phase of growth, with latest figures revealing that Māori authorities now control $32.6 billion in assets. New data from Stats NZ, released on 8 September 2026, shows a substantial $830 million increase in the asset base within a single year, highlighting the resilience of Māori commercial activity despite broader economic challenges. Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says the focus is now on translating this expanding asset base into tangible outcomes for whānau, including more jobs, higher incomes, and lasting intergenerational wealth. The statistics show that Māori authorities and other significant Māori enterprises combined to employ approximately 55,700 people. While Māori authorities alone reported a pre-tax surplus of $781 million—a 28 percent increase—the wider Māori business footprint continues to diversify beyond traditional primary industries. According to the Stats NZ dataset, which captures 5,850 businesses, the largest industry group among non-authority Māori enterprises is now professional, scientific, and technical services. This shift reflects a growing presence in high-value sectors such as technology and digital services, alongside established strengths in agriculture, forestry, and construction. The data also underscores the importance of global reach, with Māori businesses exporting approximately $1.446 billion in goods, with China accounting for 24 percent of exports from Māori authorities. Minister Potaka faces the task of ensuring government policy supports this momentum through improved procurement opportunities and international market access. Unlike conventional commercial models, many Māori authorities operate with a focus on collective custodianship, where financial returns are reinvested into education, housing, and cultural revitalisation for whānau and hapū.