How Maori are poised to capitalise on the Asia tail wind

Hemi will provide insights into his vision for Māori business success in Asia for the benefit of Māori and New Zealand as a whole. He will also talk about the role Callaghan Innovation can play in assisting Māori businesses to innovate and take advantage of the opportunities Asian economies offer.

Demand for New Zealand products and the significant assets owned by Māori, mainly in the primary sector, mean that Māori stand to gain a lot from Asia’s growth.

The Māori economy, which has tended to be production-based, is now hungry to take a much larger share of the pie. No longer satisfied with being a landlord or a supplier, Māori seek to participate in the entire value chain and to maximise opportunities. Māori are also taking note of the distinct advantage that their culture, deep relationships, inter-generational horizon and art of storytelling can play.

Hemi Rolleston (Ngāti Whakaue, Ngaiterangi, Ngāti Ranginui) joined Callaghan Innovation as General Manager, Maori Economy in March 2014. Before this, he was Chief Executive of kiwifruit business Te Awanui Hukapak, a 100 percent Māori-owned company with assets in excess of $30 million and collective shareholder value over $300 million. Under Hemi’s leadership, Te Awanui Hukapak was named TVNZ Māori Business of the Year 2012.

In the same year, Hemi was named Export New Zealand BOP Export Achiever of the Year and New Zealand Institute of Directors BOP Aspiring Director winner.

Hemi has a passion for Māori economic development and his role at Te Awanui Hukapak involved significant exposure to Asia markets and the development of important relationships in the region. He currently sits on a number of commercial boards, both mainstream and Māori. At Callaghan Innovation he uses his wide experience and networks to work with some of the most forward-thinking and innovative companies to help them unlock the huge potential of the Māori economy.

Free entry

5.00pm arrival, 5.30pm presentation starts