In a candid reflection honouring this year’s Matariki celebrations, Global Women chair Dame Theresa Gattung outlines why the success of wāhine Māori is critical to our vision of a thriving Aotearoa New Zealand.
“During this year’s Matariki celebrations, we take this opportunity to restate the significance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi to our organisation and to us as individuals,” Dame Theresa shares with NZHerald.co.nz.
Drawing on Manatū Wāhine Ministry for Women’s recent report Te Ōhanga Wāhine Māori – The Māori Women’s Economy, Dame Theresa highlights the positive social and economic outcomes that Te Tiriti o Waitangi underpins for all New Zealanders.
“During this year’s Matariki celebrations, we take this opportunity to restate the significance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi to our organisation and to us as individuals.”
The wāhine Māori economy is a growing economy, currently equal to 3.2% of national production GDP. By 2043, it is predicted that wāhine Māori will comprise 22% of the total working-age population of women in Aotearoa New Zealand.
“Young wāhine Māori are one of the most rapidly growing cohorts of entrepreneurs in New Zealand business, achieving increasingly higher levels of education and starting businesses at a faster rate,” Dame Theresa shares.
Despite leading the way in the entrepreneurial space, wāhine Māori are earning, on average, 20% less than non-Māori women. With women already earning 8.6% less than men, wāhine Māori are at a further disadvantage.
“Young wāhine Māori are one of the most rapidly growing cohorts of entrepreneurs in New Zealand business, achieving increasingly higher levels of education and starting businesses at a faster rate.”
Global Women has been advocating to close the gender pay gap, and are pleased that Minister for Women Hon Louise Upston has announced the Government’s commitment to developing a universal tool for calculating the gender pay gap.
Dame Theresa states that there is a great opportunity here to realise the potential of everyone, and to honour our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi as a nation.
“This feels to us to be an important moment in our life-time, to lift our voices in support of wāhine Māori, and all Māori,” shares Dame Theresa.
“This Matariki and every day. For a prosperous and thriving Aotearoa New Zealand for all of us.”
Read the full interview over on NZHerald.co.nz.