Professor Jason Mika Calls for Māori Economic Values to Reshape National Prosperity

As Aotearoa New Zealand prepares for the general election on 7 November, Professor Jason Mika is calling for a significant shift in how the nation defines and measures economic success. Speaking with Matthew Tukaki on Radio Waatea on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, the Māori business and economics academic questioned whether current economic growth is truly benefiting all New Zealanders. Professor Mika highlighted that while political debates often focus on gross domestic product, inflation, and government debt, these metrics frequently fail to capture the lived realities of households struggling with food insecurity and housing costs. He argues that for Māori whānau, who face persistent disparities in wealth and health, economic policy must begin to prioritise measures such as intergenerational opportunity and collective wellbeing. A key focus of the discussion was the unique contribution of the Māori economy, which includes iwi organisations, trusts, and Māori-led businesses. Professor Mika noted that these entities often operate under a framework of Māori values, including manaakitanga (hospitality and care), whanaungatanga (relationships), and kaitiakitanga (stewardship of the environment). By balancing commercial objectives with responsibilities to the whenua and future generations, Māori enterprises offer a model for a more holistic approach to prosperity. While acknowledging that capitalism has driven innovation and trade in New Zealand, Professor Mika’s kōrero explored how existing economic arrangements might be adapted to address inequality. He suggested that integrating Indigenous economic principles could provide a path toward an economy where success is measured by the flourishing of communities rather than just the accumulation of private assets. The discussion underscores a growing movement to ensure that as the nation navigates economic uncertainty, the benefits of growth are shared more equitably across all sectors of society.