The New Zealand Financial Markets Authority (FMA) has published two Kaupapa Māori research papers as an initial step to better understand the experiences of Māori consumers and providers in Aotearoa New Zealand’s financial markets, citing significant gaps in sector data despite growth in the Māori asset base from NZD 69 billion in 2018 to NZD 126 billion in 2023. One paper, “Matangirua research wananga”, draws on three wānanga with Te Ora Hou centres in Christchurch, Whanganui and Wellington on Māori experiences of investment and savings. Participants highlighted a desire for collective participation, including whānau-centred saving and decision-making, and identified a lack of products and services aligned with te ao Māori values, with KiwiSaver seen as not reflecting Māori values and collective identities. Some participants viewed online share trading platforms and cryptocurrencies as offering greater scope to exercise rangatiratanga and mana motuhake, including by reducing direct contact with providers where prejudicial treatment was expected. The second paper, “He Kakahu Whenua”, is a case study of Toha Network and East Coast Exchange and examines opportunities, challenges and barriers faced by innovative Māori providers in a pre-licensing context, including a complex legal and legislative landscape for Māori landowners. The FMA said the research has produced actionable evidence and intelligence and will be applied to its ongoing regulatory engagement and risk awareness, with an expectation that providers and advisers should better understand the worldview, collective identities and values that drive financial decision-making for Māori consumers.
New Zealand Financial Markets Authority 2025-12-10
New Zealand Financial Markets Authority releases two Kaupapa Māori research papers to fill gaps in sector data
The New Zealand Financial Markets Authority published two Kaupapa Māori research papers to understand Māori consumer and provider experiences in financial markets, noting significant data gaps despite growth in the Māori asset base. The research highlights a need for products aligned with te ao Māori values and identifies opportunities and challenges for Māori providers, with findings to inform regulatory engagement and risk awareness.