November 30, 2014
Ten year plan for iwi build stake
Iwi leaders have told the Government they want to play a greater role in housing their people.
At the Iwi Leaders Forum in Tauranga last week, they presented a 10-year plan to Deputy Prime Minister Bill English, who is also the minister responsible for Housing New Zealand, for iwi to buy the houses and then offer wrap-around services and employment to tenants.
Advisor Willie Te Aho says they also pointed to opportunities like Tamaki Makaurau, where the Government and Auckland Council have promised almost 40,000 houses will be built over the next three years.
He says there is an economic and social benefit if iwi can build 1000 of those homes.
"You’re looking at three years of apprenticeships where we can get our people into the various trades that come off those new builds. You are looking at least 12 dfferent groupings of trades we would be able to control, not only the sparkies, the plumber and the builders, and then ultimately there is a net profit we can generate from that of approximately $70 million," Mr Te Aho says.
He says unless government ensures iwi or tier two companies supported by iwi get a share of the work, dominant tier one companies like Fletcher Building will have a monopoly.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH WILLIE TE AHO CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MjQ1MTM=
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