IBA and Waikato-Tainui will explore funds, minerals and infrastructure
Indigenous Business Australia and Waikato-Tainui have formed a cross-Tasman partnership to pursue Australian investments linked to Indigenous interests.
Together, IBA and Waikato-Tainui represent more than $4.4 billion in Indigenous-owned assets, based on their balance sheets.
The relationship links IBA in Australia with Waikato-Tainui, one of Aotearoa New Zealands largest and wealthiest iwi investors.
Both sides will focus on capability-building, investment collaboration and knowledge-sharing under the new agreement.
They have agreed to investigate expansion through managed investment funds and special purpose vehicles.
Those vehicles include the Indigenous Prosperity Fund and the Indigenous Real Estate Investment Trust.
Meanwhile, the partners will assess opportunities in Australias mining and critical minerals sector.
They will also look at long-term infrastructure assets in energy, water, transport and logistics.
Waikato-Tainui alone holds NZ$2.4 billion in assets.
Its portfolio includes retail centres, hotels, office blocks and residential subdivisions.
That NZ$2.4 billion portfolio also covers ports, agriculture, forests and fishing quotas.
Darren Godwell and Tuku Morgan
IBA chairperson Darren Godwell said the deal would bring a significant new source of Indigenous capital into Australia from offshore.
Godwell said the Letter of Intent commits both organisations to new pathways for Indigenous investment, economic empowerment and shared prosperity.
He added: “IBA will provide the platform to connect this capital with investable opportunities developed with Traditional Owners.”
That capital could be invested alongside IBA into Australian Traditional Owner and First Nations opportunities.
Waikato-Tainui chairman Tuku Morgan said the agreement showed the value of Indigenous organisations working together on shared aspirations.
He said both peoples share commitments to self-determination, intergenerational wellbeing and long-term economic prosperity.
Morgan added that the collaboration could unlock new opportunities and strengthen outcomes for their communities.
The Mori economy is growing and diversifying globally.
As that growth continues, Waikato-Tainui sees value in building relationships with other Indigenous investment institutions.
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