July 16, 2014
Infrastructure money misses Maori towns
A Labour candidate says long term neglect of Northland’s infrastructure contributed to the disruption caused by the latest storm.
Peeni Henare is standing in Tamaki Makaurau, but his family home is now in Moerewa, which has been inundated with water.
He says the town didn’t used to flood, but building subdivision and diversion of water by farmers and industry is putting pressure on waterways.
He says it’s a problem that could be fixed with input from local and central government, but there seems no will for action that may help places like Moerewa, Kaeo and Kawakawa.
"Most of the money, as far as locals up there can see, is poured into places like Kerikeri where there aren't many Maori living, it's almost the Remuera of Northland. Everywhere else is ignored, and that’s the issue," he says.
Mr Henare says the $100,000 the government has put up for storm relief in Northland is a pathetic sum given the challenges people face as they clean up.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH PEENI HENARE CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MjAxNzQ=
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