Jane Nees BOP Regional Councillor www.janenees.co.nz

Many people are unaware of the size and potential of the Maori contribution to our economy in the Bay of Plenty.

In the wider Bay region, the Maori asset base has been valued at $8.6 billion and delivers more than $1.2 billion to the region's GDP– approximately 11 per cent of the regional GDP. Maori economic activities include forestry, tourism, energy, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing and manufacturing – but also encompass health and community services, education, property and business services. With Treaty settlements, the potential for Maori to be a key contributor to our economy in the future is huge.

The other side of the coin is the disadvantaged situation of many Maori in the region. On average, Maori earn $100-plus less per week than non-Maori – and 24 per cent of Maori household income in the Bay of Plenty comes from Government sources. In addition, the Maori population is young with 44 per cent of the wider Bay of Plenty population under 15 years old, being Maori.

These facts are highlighted in a draft Maori Economic Development Strategy being developed to seek better outcomes for Maori in the Bay of the Plenty, in the future. Examples of successful factors in the draft strategy include more and better jobs, higher incomes, and greater educational attainment for Maori, accompanied by thriving Maori businesses and a highly productive Maori asset base.

It is early days yet, as the strategy is still in development phase, but since the Maori economy is an integral part of the Bay of Plenty economy, growth of the Maori economy will also benefit the community as a whole.

I look forward to seeing this work progress and hopefully realise the potential for better economic and social outcomes for our Maori population.

If you have any views on this or any other issue, please email me at: neesj@xtra.co.nz or ring me on 07 579 5150. Or you can check out my website at: www.janenees.co.nz