Wāhine Māori Driving Economic Growth and Shaping the Future
By:
Matt Pryor
As we celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, it’s a great time to reflect on the incredible contributions of wāhine Māori to Aotearoa’s economic and social fabric.
In 2024 alone, wāhine Māori entrepreneurs have injected over $12.5 billion into the Māori economy through a diverse range of business ventures.
This achievement speaks to the entrepreneurial wairua of wāhine Māori, whose leadership, innovation, and resilience continue to manaaki communities and strengthen economic sustainability through their pakihi.
From the creative industries to technology, primary industries, and social enterprises, wāhine Māori are not just running businesses — they are weaving the values of whanaungatanga, manaakitanga, and kaitiakitanga into their pakihi. Their efforts extend beyond financial success, encouraging job creation, whānau prosperity, and the revitalisation of te Reo me ngā tikanga Māori in the businesses of Aotearoa.
In 2021, there were 3,168 wāhine Māori sole traders and 9,132 wāhine Māori owned or part-owned pakihi, highlighting the significant presence of Māori women in the entrepreneurial space (Te Puni Kōkiri, 2021). These numbers show the growing influence of wāhine-led businesses in reshaping industries, breaking barriers, and inspiring the next generation of Māori business leaders (Ministry for Women, 2019).
Wāhine-led businesses are driving a more inclusive and prosperous future, not just for Te Ao Māori but for all of Aotearoa. The collective efforts of wāhine Māori entrepreneurs continue to redefine the Māori economy by fostering sustainable practices, preserving cultural heritage, and ensuring intergenerational prosperity.
To our wāhine Māori in business, we celebrate you. Your impact reaches far beyond balance sheets and boardrooms; it is about strengthening our communities, protecting our taonga, and ensuring a thriving future for our people.
Ngā mihi maioha ki a koutou katoa – your leadership, vision, and resilience are paving the way for a new era of Māori economic success.
References
Te Puni Kōkiri. (2021). Te Matapaeroa 2021: Data on the Māori Economy. Te Puni Kōkiri. https://www.tpk.govt.nz/en/nga-putea-me-nga-ratonga/maori-enterprise/te-matapaeroa.
Ministry for Women. (2019). Māori Women in Business: Insights. Ministry for Women. https://www.women.govt.nz/library/nga-wahine-kaipakihi-he-tirohanga-maori-women-business-insights-2019.