November 11, 2013
Marae could share in city budget
The Auckland council will look at investing in the super city’s marae as part of its budgeting process.
Mayor Len Brown expects lots of interest in next year’s budget consultation, which will also include discussion on his proposal for low paid council workers to be brought up to the living wage, and for some of the proposals coming out of the Maori plan.
He says if marae funding is approved, it will be up to the Independent Maori Statutory Board to say where it should be spent.
"The last couple of years in particular we have talked about how we might assist in leverage our marae developments. We know it’s a major issue and significantly important for our communities that there be strong marae. Marae are reflecting on how they go as a consequence of the resolution of Tamaki Makaurau iwi claims so we’re looking at our role, how we can contribute and support that type of development or redevelopment and build strength and capacity in and around marae," Mr Brown says.
He welcomed the reappointment of David Taipari as chair of the Independent Maori Statutory Board and the appointment of Glenn Wilcox as his deputy.
He says they were a constant presence around the committee tables during the council’s first term.
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