Te Taumata is set to hit one of the world’s biggest stages this evening (NZ time), presenting the organisation’s latest discussion paper to the European Parliament, highlighting the benefits for Māori in the new NZ/EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

You can check out the livestream of the presentation at 6pm this evening.

Te Taumata has been relentless in our advocacy for Māori interests in trade, both nationally and internationally, and this dedication has been reflected in the gold standard trade deals Aotearoa has negotiated in the past two years.

The first, the NZ/UK FTA, broke new ground for Māori international trade benefits, including the removal of tariffs on key Māori-dominated industries, such as fisheries, protection of crucial Māori IP, and a world-first indigenous chapter.

This deal laid the groundwork for the NZ/EU FTA, which has levelled the playing field for premium Māori goods and services in the largest trading bloc in the world. 

The Māori economy is growing 10 times faster than the national New Zealand economy, and has the potential to reap significant rewards from this new trade deal.

Currently, one in four Māori jobs are linked to trade, and the NZ/EU FTA will see employment and income benefits grow for Māori whānau and communities.

Moving forward, Te Taumata is working to secure a new Aotearoa-EU gateway for business-to-business exchange to support Māori business growth and opportunities.

This will be supported by Māori-led trade and technology missions to Europe, putting Māori front and centre of our exciting new partnership.

A recording of the session will be available here afterwards.