INDIGENOUS PARTNERS JOIN FORCES TO DIRECT INVESTMENT INTO AUSTRALIA
Indigenous Business Australia
- Offshore capital mobilises to invest in Australia’s Indigenous economy
- IBA and Waikato-Tainui agree to jointly advance Indigenous economic self-determination.
- Relationship focuses on capability-building, investment collaboration, and knowledge-sharing.
- Organisations to explore opportunities in funds, critical minerals, and infrastructure.
A ground-breaking investment partnership has been formed to deliver on opportunities with Indigenous interests.
Indigenous Business Australia and New Zealand's Waikato-Tainui announce a new relationship between two of the most consequential Indigenous investment institutions in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, to support investment across the Tasman.
Together, they represent more than A$4.4 billion* in Indigenous-owned assets and generations of leadership, knowledge and stewardship. (*total value of balance sheets of IBA and Waikato-Tainui)
The parties have agreed to investigate opportunities to expand investment activity through managed investment funds and special purpose vehicles, including initiatives such as the Indigenous Prosperity Fund and the Indigenous Real Estate Investment Trust.
The relationship will also focus on identifying and developing opportunities in Australia's mining and critical minerals sector, as well as long-term infrastructure assets and projects spanning energy, water, transport and logistics.
Waikato-Tainui is one of Aotearoa/New Zealand’s largest and wealthiest iwi, with NZ$2.4 billion in assets. Its investments include retail centres, hotels, office blocks, residential subdivisions as well as ports, agriculture, forests and fishing quotas.
IBA Chairperson, Darren Godwell said the agreement would result in a significant new source of Indigenous capital entering Australia from offshore.
" In signing this Letter of Intent, we commit ourselves to exploring new pathways for Indigenous investment, economic empowerment and shared prosperity for the benefit of current and future generations.
“IBA will provide the platform to connect this capital with investable opportunities developed with Traditional Owners. “The interest from Waikato-Tainui shows how Indigenous-owned capital is being mobilised from outside Australia for investment alongside IBA into Australian Traditional Owners and First Nations investment opportunities,” Mr Godwell said.
Waikato-Tainui Chairman, Tuku Morgan said the agreement demonstrated the value of Indigenous organisations working together to achieve common aspirations.
"Our peoples share a commitment to self-determination, intergenerational wellbeing and long-term economic prosperity. This agreement creates a platform for collaboration that can help unlock new opportunities and strengthen outcomes for our communities.
“As the Māori economy continues to grow and diversify globally, there is significant value in exploring investments alongside Indigenous organisations that share a commitment to self-determination, stewardship and prosperity for future generations.”
IBA Chief Executive Officer David Knights said the relationship would create new opportunities for collaboration and mutual learning.
"Waikato-Tainui is an international Indigenous investor seeking credible, commercially viable opportunities in Australia. IBA’s role will be to provide the institutional bridge between those investors, Traditional Owners and the broader Australian capital market.”
“Indigenous interests internationally are building multi-billion-dollar balance sheets and increasingly investing beyond their own jurisdictions. Australia now has an opportunity to channel this interest into capital raising for, infrastructure, housing, energy, natural resources and other Indigenous-led investments,” Mr Knights said.
The two organisations signed Letters of Intent on 11 August 2026 reflecting the shared ambition of both organisations to foster stronger Indigenous-to-Indigenous relationships and drive sustainable economic growth for future generations.
About us:
About IBA
Economic independence for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is at the heart of what we do. Our programs support Indigenous Australians to buy their own homes, be successful in business, and invest in commercial ventures that provide strong financial returns. IBA was established under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2005 (ATSI Act) and is a corporate Commonwealth entity for the purposes of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act). IBA resides in the portfolio of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and is accountable to the Australian Parliament through the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator the Hon Malarndirri McCarthy.
About Waikato-Tainui
Waikato-Tainui is one of Aotearoa/New Zealand’s largest and wealthiest iwi, with NZ$2.4 billion in assets. Its investments include retail centres, hotels, office blocks, residential subdivisions as well as ports, agriculture, forests and fishing quotas.
Contact details:
Gary Highland, +61 418 476 940 or [email protected].