We have three key priorities within our research themes:

• Optimising Māori Economic Performance – harnessing the contribution of Māori people to New Zealand’s economic development through increased and positive participation in the general economy
• Fostering Te Pā Harakeke (1)– understanding, achieving and maintaining healthy and prosperous families of mana and the lessons this may hold for New Zealand families overall.
• Sustaining Māori Distinctiveness – understanding and yielding the distinctive contribution that Māori people make and may yet make to New Zealand society, culture and economy.
   

Optimising Māori Economic Performance
In a 2003 study (2), the size of the Māori economy was estimated to be $16 billion. This reflects increased Māori participation in New Zealand’s general economy through initiatives such as the settlement of historical Treaty of Waitangi claims. It includes significant contributions to fishing, forestry, tourism and farming. Within this priority there is an emphasis on improving governance arrangements and performance; building capacity and capability of Māori organisations; and understanding and harnessing commercial, cultural, development value. Research under this theme will enable cultural enterprises to take place in a commercial environment; increase understanding of a community’s assets and how these can be utilised in business activities; be concerned with preparing a community for commercial and innovation activities; and provide pathways for communities to invest in research and development activities.

Fostering Te Pā Harakeke: Healthy and Prosperous Families of Mana
Families are the cornerstone of a healthy and functioning society, economy and culture. For historical and contemporary reasons, barriers to the health and wellbeing of Māori people and inhibiting their creative potential can be partially attributed to the situation in which some Māori families find themselves. Fostering Te Pā Harakeke is concerned with understanding what keeps a family well and prospering and the barriers that exist. Research under this theme is concerned with the relationship between education and Te Pā Harakeke; family violence, deprivation and poverty; and discovering the positive role te reo Māori and mātauranga Māori has in sustaining Te Pā Harakeke.

Sustaining Māori Distinctiveness
Māori people are a distinctive dimension of New Zealand society, culture and economy. While the boundaries are porous, there is a group of people who label themselves Māori and have needs and opportunities of significance to New Zealand’s overall prosperity. This research priority is concerned with understanding and encouraging the positive and distinctive contributions from Māori communities to New Zealand’s development, particularly the roles te reo Māori and mātauranga Māori play.
Research includes that concerning Māori language; and into traditional creativity which enables new enterprises in a modern context e.g.whare wānanga (3), whare tapere (4).

(1) ‘Te Pā Harakeke’ or ‘the flax bush’ is the traditional symbol for the family.
(2)  Māori Economic Development: Te Ōhanga Whanaketanga Māori, New Zealand Institute of Economic Development Research 2003.
(3) Iwi centres of education and higher learning.
(4) Iwi ‘houses’ of storytelling, dance, music and games.