research
The Federation has either commissioned or possesses many resources for the benefit of members and Maori in general. These resources highlight the issues in areas of Treaty claims, negotiation, resource management, as well as factors that affect Maori business. To view these resources contact our office.
Flavours of NZ Project
FoMA and Crop and Food Research are partnering in a new project Flavours of New Zealand. This project will involve the use of Matauranga Maori to identify traditional food or flavour sources from native flora and fauna that can be added to Dairy, Meat or Seafood to provide a point of difference for market entry. Click here for more information
Strategic Research with FoMANA Capital
Research. What’s in it for business?
Are you looking for a way to develop new products? Wanting to get an edge over your competitors?
Trying to escape the cost-price margin squeeze?
Investing in research may be the answer.
Do Maori businesses invest in research?
Yes, there are many good examples. Here are three (with thanks to the Maori Innovation Summit held in February this year (see http://www.mis.maori.nz)
- Tauhara North 3B Trust commissioned a geothermal assessment report from a Crown Research Institute that enabled them to consider a wide range of geothermal development opportunities including electricity generation and horticulture.
- Ngati Whakaue Tribal Lands Incorporation used a Crown Research Institute to develop innovative software to enable it to better respond to the resource planning demands associated with the management of its land resources.
- Cultureflow is a company that’s dedicated to keeping the fires of Te Reo Maori alight. It researched and developed new business systems to support this objective. They proved so good that Cultureflow is now in China using its systems to teach English to Chinese staff in businesses and hotels.
The common thread through these three examples is seeing a problem or an opportunity, and then using research to crack it open and make progress.
There’s help available
Government is very keen to help businesses invest more in research. There will be more information on this in an update next month. Meanwhile, if interested to learn more, please feel free to talk to Wayne Mulligan at 04-4741482. He’s the CEO of FOMANA Capital and a member of the CRAG – the Capitalising on Research & Development Action Group. CRAG works at the interface between business and research. There will be more information about CRAG next month.
