Export Maori Creative Sector Alliance Formed
Maori Creative Sector Alliance
News Release: 23 May 2008
Maori national peak organisations and lead businesses for the tourism, contemporary art, design fashion and publishing industries have joined forces to form an export Maori Creative Sector Alliance.
The initiative follows a joint meeting of leaders from the New Zealand Maori Tourism Society, Toi Maori Aotearoa, Kia Kaha Clothing and Huia Publishers, who came together to discuss the need to foster sustainable growth of Maori export businesses in the creative sector.
The Alliance leaders consider that economic research reports produced in the last 5 years provide a strong case for accelerating the growth of Maori export businesses through the creation of new, market-focused Maori ventures and partnerships that provide added value through collaborative deployment of existing Maori resources and networks.
The Alliance leaders will be giving priority to further development of export markets where the Maori creative sector already has in-country strategic partnerships including North America and China.
Existing, export Maori businesses in the creative sector will be invited to discuss market opportunities in North America and China that are particularly responsive to New Zealand Maori brand products. The businesses will be encouraged to look at innovative ways to leverage off their collective capacity to meet new market opportunities.
ENDS
Contacts for Further Information:
John Barrett, Chairman, New Zealand Maori Tourism Society
M: 027 2883771
Waana Davis, Chairperson, Toi Maori Aotearoa
M: 027 6819552
Johnny Edmonds, Alliance Secretariat
M 021 402419