February 19, 2018
Maori housing priority across the board
FULL INTERVIEW WITH MAORI DEVELOPMENT MINISTER NANAIA MAHUTA
Maori Development Minister Nanaia Mahuta says Maori need to take advantage of the whole spectrum of housing initiatives being developed.
There is concern among some Maori the Government seems wary of Maori specific initiatives, with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern refusing to be drawn back into the closing the gaps terminology used by the previous Labour-led Government.
Ms Mahuta says her ministry supports papakainga projects, and there are also a growing number of iwi housing partnerships.
But that won't suit everyone.
"We're really mindful as we are talking about transitional housing, emergency accommodation, supported accommodation, rentals and also home ownership and papakainga builds, Maori will present higher in some areas than others and there are barriers to Maori presenting at all, especially in the home ownerhship space, that we want to get cut through on," Ms Mahuta says.
The May Budget will include a range of housing initiatives.
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