Dunedin accountant Phil Broughton is an unashamed enthusiast for the success being generated by the Southern Maori Business Network (Kuma).
Mr Broughton, the chairman of the Kuma board, is one of the driving forces behind the establishment of a national Maori business network, which should receive a boost today at an Otaki hui being attended by Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples.
"With the new political scene, the Government is looking at a national association and how it can deliver business development programmes through the Maori business network," Mr Broughton said.
Between them the 12 Maori business networks throughout New Zealand represented about 4000 businesses, along with a substantial amount of assets, he said in an interview.
The 2006 census estimated Maori business assets at $16.5 billion, with 52% of them in primary industries, 8% in secondary and 40% in tertiary.
The Southern network started about five years ago, after a proposal from Te Puni Kokiri.
A feasibility study undertaken with Te Puni Kokiri funding was done to determine whether a network would be successful.
"Taking a step back, we had already built up a database of 200 Maori businesses we had a relationship with.
"The study confirmed what the market wanted."
Businesses approached believed it was a "fantastic idea", Mr Broughton said.
The main network was based in Dunedin, with satellite networks in Queenstown and Invercargill.
"This is an extension of Maori values we live by in our home life. Perhaps the wider economy can take a leaf out of our book, and become more open and transparent, and lift the level of trust," he said.
Taylormade managing director Ian Taylor helped develop the network's website, which was http://www.southernmaoribusiness.org.nz/, and Kuma had never looked back, Mr Broughton said.
Monthly breakfast meetings were held for members to network with others.
"I have told the members that this is a net that has to work so don't come along to events to just eat and sing. You need to broadcast your business services."
A highlight had been the relationship developed with the University of Otago school of business.
Successful relationships had also been developed with various government departments, including Inland Revenue.
The network had joined the Otago Chamber of Commerce and was developing links with other business organisations, he said.
As part of the network activities, members were encouraged to do their best to use the services of other members and share information on business issues.
The school of business had carried out a study on 19 members of the network to find the barriers to the way Maori businesses were operating in the local economy.
There was no surprise that the two top issues were compliance costs and lack of capital funding.
Asked what qualified as a Maori business, Mr Broughton said there were several technical issues regarding ownership and selling Maori products.
"But the general feeling is that if it feels Maori, it is Maori."
The next step, also being carried out by Taylormade, was to establish a website for Maori entrepreneurs.
Later this month, Mr Broughton would be among several members of Maori business networks to attend a conference in Melbourne on indigenous business.
The Southern network had the full support of local iwi, both from Christchurch and the runanga, he said.
