A professor of te reo Maori at Waikato University says a new course to help business leaders better understand Maori protocols could help them tap in to the Maori economy.
The Irikura (Suspended Treasures) course, which runs over six nights, aims to give business representatives the skills needed to confidently take part in Maori functions and ceremonies.
Professor Pou Temara of Ngai Tuhoe said non-Maori executives have previously had very little cultural understanding, which has made it difficult for them to collaborate with iwi and hapu.
Professor Temara said local iwi and hapu are expected to bring $10 billion into the economy through treaty settlements, which should encourage executives to gain cultural understanding so they can better collaborate in the future.
