This research represents the first major research study into the Māori women’s economy. The report highlights the economic and wellbeing contributions of wāhine Māori in households, businesses, and communities. It details their socio-economic participation, labour market outcomes, business ownership, leadership, and the value of unpaid work.

This report is the first formal calculation and inclusion of mahi tūao (unpaid work) in the total value of a women’s economy, and is also one of the first-ever studies of Indigenous women’s economy internationally.

The report used a mixed methods approach and compiled and presented data and insights from a variety of sources, including publicly available and private data. The detailed methodology and full list of the data sources used in this report can be found in Appendix A.