A Maori Business Professor says commercial ventures surrounding Matariki should be in line with its themes and history.

It comes as an advisory document shows MBIE have concerns about the commercialisation of the holiday and that it could take away from its core values.

Dr Jason Mika told Heather du Plessis-Allan it's an individual business decision, but anything done should take into account Matariki's three principles: remembering the past, celebrating the present and looking to the future.

He says the next thing is to think about what sorts of activities, products and services are reflective of that.

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