Māori business leaders more positive about business performance, benefitting from improved economic conditions for primary


Māori business leaders hold a more positive outlook than those operating within most NZ sectors, according to the seventh edition of BDO Pūrongo Pakihi Māori, the BDO Māori Business Sector Report. The 2025 study, entitled ‘Expanding horizons’ is based on a nationwide survey – the largest of its kind – featuring responses from more than 290 Māori business leaders during September and October 2025.

The report highlights 64% of Māori business leaders are positive about their current overall business performance, second only to business leaders in the agriculture sector on 74%. This result contrasts strongly with the 2024 report where 48% of Māori business leaders were feeling positive about their overall business performance - the lowest score since first measured. 

Looking ahead, 71% of Māori business leaders expect to be positive about their overall business performance in six months’ time, also higher than the sentiment shown by business leaders operating in most sectors.

Māori business leaders’ improved business performance sentiment is likely due to their connection to industries and regional economies vested in agriculture, horticulture, fisheries and forestry – benefitting from favourable recent revenue from dairy, sheep & beef and kiwifruit produce, coupled with the lower NZ Dollar and interest rates. 

The report highlights recent growth in the Māori economy, revealing 54% of Māori business leaders have experienced average annual growth in turnover (gross revenue) of 50% or more over the past three years. Additionally, during the same period, 55% have experienced average annual net profit growth of 50% or more. Further evidencing this, the Māori economy has almost doubled its contribution to New Zealand’s GDP, growing from $17 billion in 2018 to $32 billion in 2023 (as highlighted in "Te Ōhanga Māori 2023", released in March 2025 by MBIE & BERL).

Māori businesses beyond primary industry facing challenging conditions

However, Māori business leaders operating beyond the primary industry continue to find business conditions challenging. High inflation, reduced discretionary household spending and public sector expenditure in areas such as housing, are having flow-on affects for Māori businesses operating in retail, tourism, hospitality and construction sectors. Economic, financial (including cash flow) and political factors dominate the top five issues for Māori business leaders – comprising the factors which they feel least positive about.

“Managing cash flow remains a key priority for Māori business leaders, however we’re seeing cautious optimism about the future. What will be key over the next six months is more certainty around economic conditions in helping unlock potential business growth by encouraging more Māori business leaders to invest in their people and resources – helping stimulate the wider economy.” – Solomon Dalton, BDO National Māori Business Sector Leader.

 

Four major report themes

While BDO Pūrongo Pakihi Māori highlights that there are a wide range of issues impacting Māori businesses across different sectors, geographies, business sizes and markets, the report highlights four key themes:

  1. Sector perspectives: Contrasting experiences across sectors, markets, and geographies.
  2. Business performance and finances: Continued economic and financial headwinds.
  3. Expanding horizons: A focus on long-term planning, climate risk and responsibility, along with adopting AI for business efficiency.
  4. Cultural wellbeing: Reclaiming and leveraging Māori culture as a measure of success, business differentiator and for personal wellbeing. 
     

Expanding horizons

Previous editions of the BDO Māori Business Sector Report have highlighted the propensity for Māori business leaders to take a longer term view of their business goals. Continuing this sentiment, 25% of Māori business leaders look at least six years ahead in their business planning, despite the challenging current economic environment.

The sense of climate responsibility remains strong, supporting the value placed by Māori business leaders on people, planet and profit. Significantly, climate risk management now features in the five issues which Māori business leaders are least positive about – the only non-economic, financial and political factor to rank here. This sentiment may be further fuelled by alignment with the primary industry where climate change presents sizeable risk.

“Our BDO Pakihi Māori team are seeing a growing adoption of solar technology and the transitioning of business fleets to EV vehicles, not only bringing cost efficiencies for Māori businesses but also supporting their climate responsibilities.” – Solomon Dalton, BDO National Māori Business Sector Leader.


Māori business leaders are also expanding their horizons, adopting AI as a means of streamlining their work and workload. It presents a cost-effective measure to reduce the workload they have on themselves and also cover some of the staffing issues that they may face. 
 

“Aside from the operational efficiencies, AI presents further opportunities for our Māori business leaders to focus on the matters which are core to their purpose, including their people and their culture.” – Solomon Dalton, BDO National Māori Business Sector Leader.

 

For interviews and media enquiries

Solomon Dalton, BDO Māori Business Sector Leader, is available for comment. In the first instance, please contact Michal Petrus, BDO Head of Clients & Marketing (michal.petrus@bdo.co.nz or +64 27 579 6844) to arrange an interview or be put in touch.
 

Related resources:
  • Read here the BDO New Zealand Māori Business Sector Report 2025.
  • View here a video featuring Solomon Dalton, BDO Māori Business Sector Leader, discussing the BDO Report with Mike McRoberts.
  • Download a digital photo of Solomon Dalton.

More about the report

Through this report, BDO aims to contribute to the understanding of the Māori business sector and provide a voice from an audience that is not often researched, yet occupies a unique place in New Zealand’s business life. Most importantly, however, the focus is on sharing practical business tips to support Māori business leaders in navigating their current and most pressing barriers.

Findings of the 2025 BDO Māori Business Sector Report have been derived from an online survey conducted in September and October 2025 among 294 Māori business leaders from across Aotearoa. All 2025 survey respondents identify with being Māori or a New Zealander of Māori descent, while also being responsible for leading or managing a business. In addition, 86% of respondents describe their business as being partly or fully owned by people who have Māori whakapapa.

Most Māori businesses surveyed are established or mature entities, with 70% having been in operation for two years or more. Agriculture, forestry & fishing, retail, construction, real estate, engineering and trades, tourism & hospitality and healthcare are the most commonly identified industry groups within which respondents operate – making up 70% of the sample. 84% stated the average annual turnover (gross revenue) of their business over the past three years has been less than $10M.