He kōrero mo mātau | About us
Hīkina Whakatutuki is Te Reo Māori for the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, hīkina meaning uplift and whakatutuki meaning to move forward, to make successful. Our purpose – to grow Aotearoa New Zealand for all – gives expression to our Te Reo Māori name and envisages an inclusive, sustainable and prosperous country for present and future generations.
Our mahi touches on the daily lives of New Zealanders – we grow opportunities (Puāwai), act as a guardian and protect (Kaihāpai), and innovate and navigate towards a better future (Auaha).
To achieve this, we put people at the heart of our mahi. Based on the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, we are committed to upholding authentic partnerships with Māori, and, as an agile public service leader, we use the breadth of our experience to navigate the ever-changing world. We are service providers, policymakers, investors and regulators. We engage with diverse communities, businesses and regions.
We are Aotearoa New Zealand’s lead microeconomic agency, formed in 2012 by uniting 4 agencies:
- Department of Building and Housing
- Department of Labour
- Ministry of Economic Development
- Ministry of Science and Innovation
Over the past 10 years, we have taken on new functions and roles, including the Kānoa – Regional Economic Development and Investment Unit and Managed Isolation and Quarantine.
We are the Functional Lead for government property and procurement and help other government agencies achieve greater public value. We also provide Language Assistance Services; the Government Centre for Dispute Resolution; and leadership across the public service on regulatory stewardship. As an agency, we continue to adapt and change so we can respond to the needs of our country.
Puāwai
To grow opportunities, we:
- help communities thrive by investing in regional initiatives
- enable partnerships between businesses, communities and industries
- promote Aotearoa New Zealand on the world stage
- attract talent and investment to our country
- create an enabling environment for Aotearoa New Zealand’s businesses and communities to succeed.
Kaihāpai
To be a guardian and to protect, we:
- fulfil our Te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi responsibilities
- ensure safe and fair settings for consumers and businesses in workplaces, buildings and markets
- manage and provide protection at the border
- support sustainable management of natural resources
- provide guidance to businesses through major economic events.
Auaha
To innovate and navigate, we:
- invest in research, science and innovation
- support mātauranga Māori
- enable New Zealanders to participate in the digital age
- participate in space research and exploration
- work collaboratively to address climate change
- explore new ideas and question the status quo.
In this section
Our values
Our values guide how we work and interact with one another and with our customers and partners.
Our organisational strategy
Since 2020, our organisational strategy, Te Ara Amiorangi, has informed the way we work.
Ministerial portfolios
In 2021/22 we worked with, and supported, ministers and associate ministers across 20 portfolios.
Organisations we monitor
Find out about the Crown entities, Crown research institutes and other organisations we monitor.
Leadership, governance, systems and risk
Find out about our senior leadership team, governance system and how we manage risk.
Our people
We strive to be a place where people want to work, where people are safe, listened to, valued and feel like they belong, where they grow personally and professionally through meaningful work.
Māori–Crown relations
Effective and enduring relationships between iwi, other Māori groups and the Crown are critical to enable economic and social development, both for Māori and the wider population.
Diversity, equity and inclusion
Our Inclusion & Diversity strategy, Nō Konei – Belong, focuses on having inclusion at the heart of our mahi, to create a sense of belonging.
Wellbeing, health and safety
In May 2022, we started reviewing our wellbeing, health and safety strategy to make sure it reflects our values and fosters diversity, equity, inclusion and te ao Māori.
Sustainability
MBIE’s sustainability framework supports both the Government’s commitment to having a carbon-neutral public sector by 2025 and broader cultural, economic, environmental and social outcomes for the country.