Listen Now: 
The Māori Party calls the budget pūtea for the people.
Opposition parties say there is little in it for Māori.
The Māori Party says as a result of its influence, Finance Minister Bill English’s fifth budget is distinguished by pragmatic initiatives that will help Māori.
Co-leader Tariana Turia says it secured $122.5 million to help address poverty, including $100 million for the Healthy homes insulation programme.
Trade training placements for Māori and Pasifika will increase from 600 to 3000, and a Māori Affairs cadetship programme will be continued.
Another $48 million was committed to Te Reo Māori and Māori education, and $1.2 million was earmarked for marae and community developments.
Mana leader Hone Harawira says of the 78 recommendations made by the Expert Advisory Group on Solutions to Child Poverty, only three were acted in a limited way, including the insulation programme and $1.5 million to keep budgeting services going for another year.
He says there was no response to his bill to provide meals for children in decile one and two schools, and the trade training scheme still leaves 37,000 Māori on the dole queue.
Copyright © 2013, Uma Broadcasting Ltd
RELATED NEWS
