Tō mātou whakapapa

Our whakapapa

Phase 1: The Trade for All Advisory Board (TFAAB)

The initial step in this agenda was the appointment of the Trade for All Advisory Board (TFAAB) by the Minister for Trade and Export Growth. This board was established to provide an independent report to the Government with practical, implementable recommendations.

First Meeting: The TFAAB held its first meeting in Wellington on 12 December 2018.
Chairman: David Pine.
Māori Members: Māori representatives on the TFAAB included: Amokura Kawharu, Hone McGregor, Caren Rangi, Craig Tuhoro, and Pania Tyson-Nathan.

Phase 2: Greater Participation and Leadership by Māori in Trade Policy

The Trade for All Advisory Board (TFAAB), completed its work and submitted its report to Cabinet:

Final Report Publication/Presentation Date: The Trade for All Advisory Board presented its final report and recommendations to the Minister for Trade and Export Growth, David Parker, on 28 November 2019.
Recommendations relating to greater Māori participation in trade policy were picked up by MFAT formatively in late 2019, before formal acceptance by Cabinet.
Recommendations Acceptance Date: The Cabinet Economic Development Committee (DEV) agreed to all recommendations in the TFAAB report in March 2020. The corresponding Cabinet minute for this decision is [DEV-20-MIN-0052].

Phase 3: The Foundation and Establishment of Te Taumata

The establishment of Te Taumata arose not only from the broader Trade for All Agenda but also directly from a landmark legal challenge concerning the Crown’s adherence to its Treaty obligations in trade policy.

Antecedent: Treaty Claim and Tribunal Ruling

A further foundational catalyst for Te Taumata was a Treaty of Waitangi claim—led by Annette Sykes and others—which challenged the Crown’s failure to consult Māori or reflect their interests during the negotiation of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

The Waitangi Tribunal ruled in favour of the claimants, determining that the Crown had indeed failed to uphold its Treaty obligations.
In direct response, the Crown committed to a new approach. Under direction from then-MFAT Deputy Secretary Vangelis Vitalis, a decision was made to create a Māori-led group for direct engagement with whānau, hapū, iwi, and Māori exporters on trade matters.
Te Taru White was contracted to facilitate regional hui across Aotearoa, where Māori discussed trade importance and aspirations.
Tā Toby Curtis Chaired the 1st regional hui with a wide range of Māori stakeholders, where the genesis of Te Taumata was drawn.
Formation: Te Taumata was formed directly from these hui, with regional representatives nominated and appointed through open, inclusive processes.

Phase 4: Te Taumata's Formal Establishment

Formal Establishment and Role

Establishment: The official Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Te Taumata and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) was formally signed on 24 September 2019.
Nature: Te Taumata is a uniquely Māori-led body, guided by tikanga and kaupapa Māori. It is distinct from the Crown and is not a typical advisory body. Its name, “taumata,” symbolizes the summit, reflecting aspiration and leadership in the global trade space.
Mandate: Te Taumata’s broad mandate is to “Promote trade for our people” and ensure Māori voices are heard and valued in international trade policy.
Continuing Leadership: Hone McGregor was a key leader in the transition, serving on the initial Trade for All Advisory Board (TFAAB) and then becoming a member of Te Taumata as initial Deputy Chair. At the same time he also served on the later Ministerial Strategic Advisory Group on Trade (MSAGOT). He now chairs Te Taumata Trust with: Rawson Wright, Victor Goldsmith, Teresa Tepania-Ashton, Ernestynne Walsh, Ethan Jones, John Tiatoa and Prof. Robert Joseph, along with Natalie Smith as Secretary and Business Support & Events Manager.