European Union Ambassador, Nina Obermaier, has met with a distinguished group of Te Arawa business leaders today to discuss new international trade opportunities for Māori.

Hosted at the Te Arawa Fisheries office in Rotorua, the hui was an opportunity for Māori business leaders to kōrero with Nina kanohi ki te kanohi in an informal, relaxed setting.

All Te Arawa iwi and more than 20 Māori-led organisations were represented in the  business leaders present today, giving Nina a broad understanding of the trade landscape across the Te Arawa rohe.

The discussion highlighted several key points about the NZ/EU Free Trade Agreement, including the unique benefits to exporting products that tell authentic Māori stories.

There is a clear demand for genuine, premium indigenous goods and services in global markets and free trade agreements present an avenue for Māori businesses to diversify.

Trade is one of the most significant industries for our people, with one in four jobs derived from the sector. As new free trade agreements are implemented, the money that comes from building our international Māori brand, including our aquaculture ventures, will ultimately be reinvested into whānau at home. 

As Te Arawa Fisheries looks to push its premium products into Europe, it’s fantastic to know we have a friend in Nina who will support us in navigating this high-value global market.