Reserve Bank of New Zealand publishes snapshot on Maori access to capital and banks’ initiatives to reduce lending barriers

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand released a snapshot on Maori access to capital, setting out how participating banks are working to reduce barriers to finance and where gaps remain in data and practice. It notes that the Maori contribution to New Zealand’s production GDP reached NZD 32 billion in 2023, while Maori businesses can face capital access challenges linked to factors such as being younger, smaller, or more rural, alongside issues including lending on whenua Maori and lower trust or awareness of the banking system. Participating banks that volunteered to collaborate on the project have introduced Maori-focused roles and strategies, supported by organisation-wide training to strengthen understanding of te reo, tikanga, and the Maori economy. The snapshot also points to products to support lending on whenua Maori, initiatives aimed at Maori businesses, and financial literacy programmes incorporating te reo and/or tikanga; Maori employee representation varies by bank, averaging 8% across all banks. The Reserve Bank encouraged further work to reduce unnecessary barriers, including improving bank data on Maori access to capital and enhancing approaches to Maori business identification. The snapshot was developed with Tawhia the Maori Bankers Ropu and continues the 2022 MA2K work programme within the Reserve Bank’s te ao Maori and financial inclusion workstreams. It is also framed as consistent with the Minister of Finance’s 2025 Letter of Expectations, including collaboration on competition-enhancing initiatives and reducing barriers to lending for housing on Maori freehold land.