BDO Business Wellbeing Index | May 2025 | Maori business sector insights

Business performance sentiment improves for Māori business leaders after a September slump

Māori business leaders have reported a considerable improvement in business performance since our last survey measure in September 2024. The May 2025 BDO Business Wellbeing Index shows both current and future business performance sentiment have improved by 14% amongst Māori business leaders, returning to levels similar to March 2023.

Maori business performance

A leading driver of this positivity is Māori business leaders’ satisfaction about the environmental and social impact they’re having on the communities around them – with 66% saying they’ve felt positive about this measure all or most of the time in the last two weeks. This is a 11% increase on our last survey measure. Furthermore, 71% of business leaders are expecting to feel positive about this measure in six months’ time.

Social and community alignment is key for this sector. Our 2024 BDO Māori Business Report shows that Māori business leaders’ kaupapa matua (main purpose) is about the people, not just now but into the future too. It’s therefore concerning to see Māori business leaders troubled by employee matters. Just 48% felt positive about employee motivation and performance in the past two weeks, while employee performance or conflict also emerged as a leading driver of negative wellbeing for this group. Happily, this concern reduces significantly when looking to the future.

Better conditions in the agribusiness sector may be boosting Māori business leaders' performance. The recently-released Te Ōhanga Māori – The Māori Economy 2023 report shows agribusiness accounted for 21% of Māori-owned businesses in 2023, with a strong presence in forestry, fishing, sheep and beef and dairy. High commodity prices for many products are likely contributing to this improved sentiment across Māori business leaders.

While our survey results reveal a brighter picture for Māori business leaders, they are still lower than the peaks of 2022, and it’s clear business leaders in this sector are being troubled by some key metrics. Just 39% are feeling positive about external economic factors and 46% feel positive about tax compliance and commitments. Happily, business financials seem to be less of a business concern for Māori business leaders than they have been in the past; our latest report shows 55% have felt positive about their cash flow in the last two weeks, a considerable increase from the 30% reported in our 2024 BDO Māori Business Report.

Maori business performance

Tips for Māori business leaders

Seek support. Reach out to other local Māori business owners through your local Māori business network. You could also look into the Whāriki Māori Business Network, Te Puni Kōkiri and Amotai.
Collaborate. Māori business leaders are often stronger together. Seek out local Māori business networks via social media to establish a community of like-minded leaders for mutual support. Alternatively, consider initiating your own network or mentoring relationship.
Focus on your people. Employee performance and conflict can negatively impact wellbeing as well as business performance. Speak to your team openly and often to better understand their concerns and ideas – and don’t forget to focus on your succession plans and the net generations coming through.

Further support:

Expert thoughts

Angela Edwards

National Māori Business Sector Leader, Audit, Assurance & Advisory Partner, Kerikeri Managing Partner

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“It’s really encouraging to see business performance sentiment has improved for our Māori business leaders. It was a tough operating environment for them in September last year but the resilience of the Māori community – likely coupled with falling inflation and interest rates – have helped to improve their business outlook. With immediate financial pressures now less of a concern for many, Māori business leaders can again turn their focus to the long-term holistic impacts of their mahi and ensure the wellbeing of themselves and their work whānau is as positive as their business performance.”

Angela EdwardsNational Māori Business Sector Leader