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New Zealand's Economy

The Māori Economy and Treaty Settlements

How the Treaty of Waitangi of 1840 underpins Māori claims, how Treaty settlements returned assets to iwi, and the growing Māori economy.

The Māori economy is a growing part of New Zealand.

Treaty of Waitangi

Signed in 1840 between the British Crown and Māori chiefs; Māori lost much land after it.

Waitangi Tribunal

Set up in 1975 to hear claims of Treaty breaches.

Settlements

  • Iwi (tribes) received cash, land and rights.
  • The 1992 fisheries settlement gave Māori a large share of fishing quotas.
  • Ngāi Tahu and Tainui settled in the 1990s and grew their assets through investment.

Māori economy

Māori-owned assets span farming, fishing, forestry, tourism and property.

Long-term view

Iwi invest across generations.

The iwi investment

Ngāi Tahu used its settlement to build businesses in tourism, property and fishing.

Thinking settlements are only compensation

Iwi invested them to build economic bases.

Key takeaways
  • The Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840.
  • The Waitangi Tribunal hears claims.
  • Settlements returned assets to iwi.
  • Iwi invest for generations.
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