Māori business definition standard – purpose and use
This page summarises the purpose and use of the data standard for Māori business.
What is a data standard?
A statistical or data standard provides a comprehensive set of guidelines for surveys and administrative sources collecting information on a particular topic. Components of a standard include:
- rationale
- definition
- classification and coding process
- questionnaire module
- output
- related classifications and standards
- glossary and references.
Purpose of developing a Māori business definition
Creating a Māori business definition allows for better consistency across government in the measurement and reporting of Māori business activity. High quality data about Māori businesses will enable Māori businesses to understand the economic environment they are operating in, and Māori development agencies and government to make better-informed decisions to support these businesses.
Process for developing this definition
Developing this definition involved several phases. An external working group comprising of Māori business community and government representatives worked with Stats NZ Tatauranga Aotearoa to develop a draft definition. Following this, public consultation ran from 6 October 2021 to 22 November 2021 to gather feedback, which was then analysed and discussed with the working group. Focus group and one-to-one hui were also held with 20 Māori business representatives to further refine feedback from the consultation. These hui attendees collectively represent around 3,500 Māori businesses. The feedback received through these processes, alongside input from the working group, shaped the definition. See Māori business definition: Consultation findings | Te tautuhitanga umanga Māori: Ngā hua o te whakawhitiwhiti kōrero for more information on the consultation process.
No minimum percentage of Māori ownership in the definition
A minimum percentage of Māori ownership was not included as part of the definition. This was done to ensure that the definition was inclusive, and that all Māori businesses, regardless of their percentage of Māori ownership, will be captured in Māori business collections. However, the standard requires that proportion of a business that is Māori-owned is collected, allowing agencies and others to filter Māori businesses by their level of Māori ownership.
Consultation undertaken in developing and confirming the definition
Stats NZ Tatauranga Aotearoa worked with a cross-sector working group comprised of Māori business community and government representatives to develop the draft definition. This draft definition was put out for public consultation, and was promoted through social media pages, sent to stakeholders and business networks, and circulated to iwi groups for comment and further promotion. We also met with a number of government agencies and Māori organisations, and sought the views of Data Iwi Leaders Group. Following the public consultation, we further engaged directly with Māori business representatives in focus groups.
Different definitions of a Māori business
The definition in this standard may be different from those used for other purposes. In some contexts there are other definitions that will apply, including for tax purposes and the government’s progressive procurement purposes. See Māori business definition: Consultation / specific contexts or Data standard for Māori business.
Stats NZ Tatauranga Aotearoa is encouraging other agencies to use the Māori business standard, and is considering making its use mandatory in the future.
Working safely with Māori data
Stats NZ Tatauranga Aotearoa and other government agencies play a key role in the collection and production of Māori data – that is data for Māori; data about Māori; and any data that Māori have a connection to. Principles and tikanga are important in determining how to look after and appropriately manage Māori data. Aligning te ao Māori concepts with the careful and responsible creation, collection, management, and use of data, recognises the strategic value of data in supporting the wellbeing of whānau, hapū, hapori and iwi.
Stats NZ Tatauranga Aotearoa uses Ngā Tikanga Paihere to help guide appropriate collection and production of Māori statistics. Ngā Tikanga Paihere is a framework developed for Stats NZ Tatauranga Aotearoa to help establish goals, boundaries, and principles that guide and inform data practice. Ngā Tikanga Paihere draws on 10 tikanga to:
- guide safe, responsible, and culturally appropriate use of data
- ensure data use is carefully considered
- ensure data practices occur in good faith.
For the development of the Māori business definition standard, a unique version of Ngā Tikanga Paihere was created. It is in the form of a whāriki, or mat, with each tikanga woven in to reveal a pattern of actions and considerations we need to apply in our work.
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Pūkenga Skills, expertise, and knowledge of team and users |
Wānanga Stats NZ systems, policies and procedures
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Wairua Alignment with Māori business community objectives |
Pono Stats NZ’s accountability and transparency to stakeholders
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Tapu Sensitivities and associated risks concerning data use |
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Tika Value for Māori businesses and organisations, hapū, and iwi |
Our team and users have the know-how to increase the value of data to strengthen Māori economy. Everyone knows how to appropriately manage and use the data to gain the most benefit from it. | Systems, roles, policies and procedures enable effective and culturally appropriate management and use of the data. There is some alignment with policies that support Māori economic outcomes. | Community objectives influence the data produced and the development and implementation of data standards. | Specific actions are taken to show how Stats NZ considered Māori views regarding this work. | Procedures for handling sensitive data are followed and the limitations of the data are well understood. |
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Mauri Data flow and quality |
We ensure data is fit for purpose. Documentation about the data sources, processing, and analysis enable the trustworthiness of the data to be assessed and guide appropriate use. | There is ongoing training and support to ensure sustainable production of the data, and the design is informed by data quality dimensions. | The data is an accurate representation of the current state of the Māori economy and, to an extent, the economic wellbeing of whānau, hapū and iwi. | Data processes and definitions are readily accessible, and the data is sufficient to give meaningful inferences. | Appropriate data practices are in place and followed. Limitations in the data are identified and recorded. Duplication of effort is minimised. |
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Noa Benefits and opportunities over data |
The data is being used to support Māori business initiatives. Our team understands how their work is beneficial and creating opportunities. | We are aware of future opportunities for collaboration and innovation with the Māori business sector, and other generators of Māori business data. | There is a common understanding of the overall purpose of Tatauranga Umanga Māori and expected benefits towards strengthening the Māori economy and contributing to the wellbeing of whānau, hapū, and iwi. |
We make the data accessible in meaningful ways to Māori. |
We are open to various interpretation and layered meanings of Māori terms needed for insights analysis. |
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Whakapapa Strength of relationships with Māori business community |
Community perspectives and users’ needs influence the data and insights that are made available. We are building our skills to strengthen relationships with the Māori business community. | Engagement processes and activities are well documented and coordinated, and align with Stats NZ’s strategic engagement aspirations. | We actively monitor the overall business environment to better understand what is happening so that we can seize opportunities to improve our work. |
We respond positively to the needs of iwi, hapū, and Māori businesses, in a timely manner. We contribute to the realm of international indigenous business statistics. |
We are learning about the different types of Māori entities, and their size, function and organisation so that we can understand what they need data for, and what kinds of concerns they may have. |
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Kaitiaki Data governance practices |
We are growing our knowledge of data governance principles and how to apply them to our work. |
Effective governance and oversight structures and practices ensure outputs respond to the needs of the communities they are designed to benefit. |
We are ensuring Māori values are shaping at least some aspects of our work. | We take swift action when Stats NZ is called to account throughout its processes. |
We undertake consequence/issue and risk management planning, and establish mitigation where needed. |
Purpose of collecting information about Māori businesses
Collecting high quality information on Māori businesses is important in measuring the contribution Māori businesses make to the New Zealand economy. Good data on Māori businesses will enable businesses to understand the economic environment they are operating in, and Māori development agencies and government to better support these businesses.
Businesses that identify by iwi or hapū and not as a Māori business
Respondents are asked if their business identifies as a Māori business. If the respondent chooses to respond ‘no’ to this question, their business will not be counted as a Māori business. At this time, Stats NZ Tatauranga Aotearoa is not collecting or producing information on Māori businesses by iwi or hapū specifically.
Iwi businesses included in the standard
Iwi businesses can be counted as Māori businesses, provided they both identify themselves as a Māori business and that the business has Māori ownership.
How Stats NZ Tatauranga Aotearoa keeps data safe
Information collected by Stats NZ Tatauranga Aotearoa is protected by legislation and by the safeguards we have put in place. We apply ethical, statistical, and security best-practice standards to the data we collect. Others who use the data must apply the same standards.
Stats NZ Tatauranga Aotearoa staff and researchers who use the information we hold sign a statutory declaration of secrecy. They must sign it before they can work with data. The declaration is a lifetime agreement to keep data confidential.
We ensure:
- privacy, by collecting only the information we need to produce statistics and research
- security, by keeping data safe from unauthorised access and use
- confidentiality, by not releasing information that could identify individuals, households, or businesses, or their activities
- transparency in all our processes. We work with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner to make sure we follow best practice.
See Privacy, security, and confidentiality of survey data on our website.
Other agencies that collect data on Māori businesses
Other agencies will also use this standard to guide collection of Māori business data. Their individual privacy policies and business confidentiality agreements would apply in these instances.
Rationale for including both self-identification and ownership in the definition
Māori ownership is included in the definition, as whakapapa is an integral part of Māori identity. As such, having some level of Māori ownership is a determining factor in whether a business is a Māori business. The reason for including self-identification in the definition is this criterion provides the respondent with the opportunity to identify whether they see their business as a Māori business.
