August 01, 2014
Tainui marae share top up millions
Waikato-Tainui has decided some of its so-called top-up settlement will be distributed to marae as special on-off grants totalling $15 million.
The tribe has been debating since 2012 how to use the money, which the crown paid to ensure the Tainui settlement stays at the same level relative to the total settlement envelope.
Rahui Papa, the chair of the tribal executive Te Arataura, says tribal members want relativity funds to be invested in a way that provides for future generations, supports non-commercial investments in its people and realises the goals of its long-term strategy, which includes developing marae to become self-sufficient.
Each of the 66 marae will get a $150,000 base grant and an additional per capita grant based on the Waikato-Tainui tribal register.
Mr Papa says the investment will support our marae with facilities projects and also help them to initiate marae-based programmes that are by marae and for marae people.
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