May 21, 2018
Universal money raising Maori prospects
Maori Development Minister Nanaia Mahuta is defending the low level of Maori-specific spending in the Budget.
Whanau Ora commissioning agencies have expressed disappointment there was no increase in the amount they have to spend, and the Maori Development Ministry Te Puni Kokiri lost $9 million.
It contrasts with the $1 billion for regional development secured by New Zealand First and the Greens' extra $181 million in conservation funding and $100m green investment fund.
Ms Mahuta says it's not a fair comparison, and Labour's Maori MPs are part of a party that campaigned on bread and butter issues.
"We campaigned on the fact the growing inequality impacting on Maori people was not good enough. Having people sleep in cars, insecure work, not able to have an affordable warm home let alone buy a home, that is what we campaigned on. We will deliver on that by and large," she says.
Ms Mahuta says the families package will put an estimated $1.2 billion directly into the pockets of Maori families.
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