DCE Ben King noted the ceremony needs to be seen in the context of the Ministry’s commitment to broaden and deepen its relationships with Māori partners, including Te Hurumanu, Ngā Toki Whakarururanga(external link), Te Taumata(external link) and the National Iwi Chairs Forum(external link).
The signing ceremony had a special mana wāhine theme, acknowledging Chair Traci Houpapa MNZM JP and Deputy Chair Liz Mellish MNZM as visionary women leaders. A number of our future wāhine Māori leaders, including from our graduate programme, were special guests of honour.
Federation of Māori Authorities (FOMA)
Federation of Māori Authorities (FOMA)(external link) represents Māori land owners, land users and land managers across Aotearoa New Zealand, forming a significant body of Māori businesses, trusts and entities with substantial asset holdings and economic interests. FOMA exists to grow its members’ wealth and prosperity by working with Government and industry on strategy, policy and legislation matters. Prominent Māori leaders such as Sir Hepi Te Heuheu, Robert Whaitiri and Sir Tipene O’Regan were pivotal in FOMA’s establishment.
Led by Chair Traci Houpapa MNZM JP and Deputy Chair Liz Mellish MNZM, FOMA has played a key role in working with MFAT on Māori interests in trade policy development and FTA negotiations, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and the UK and EU Free Trade Agreements. They have also been valuable contributors towards MFAT’s broader public diplomacy efforts, including domestic and offshore activities.
“We are grateful for FOMA’s long standing contributions and support to our mahi over the years, in particular with the Ministry’s trade initiatives”, said Chris Seed. “This occasion honours the promise of a Te Tiriti partnership and ensures that Māori interests are meaningfully served by these agreements”.
Liz added that, “after a long and constructive relationship with MFAT, working together to better understand and advance Māori interests, we’re pleased to formalise our relationship through this MOU. We look forward to continuing to work together on important issues for Aotearoa New Zealand”.
The MOU with FOMA also provides an opportunity for MFAT to engage on other foreign policy issues of mutual interest, such as the Pacific, environment, climate change and regional issues.