Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis says targeted funding for kaupapa Māori initiatives is essential if the Government is to make headway against critical social problems.

Such funding will be included in a $320 million, four year package to address family and sexual violence, and there is also funding for Māori and Pacific initiatives to tackle rheumatic fever.

Māori solutions needed to reduce prison numbers

Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis says targeted funding for kaupapa Māori initiatives is essential if the Government is to make headway against critical social problems.

Such funding will be included in a $320 million, four year package to address family and sexual violence, and there is also funding for Māori and Pacific initiatives to tackle rheumatic fever.

Mr Davis says in light of the fact that half the prison muster is Māori

"If we don’t actually have specific Māori solutiions for these issues, those numbers aren't going to improve. Everything we have done as Government, whether it be the Families Package, paid parental leave, be it this kaupapa around sexual and family violence, if we don't address them, the numbers of Māori in prison aren’t going to change" he says.

The Budget package also includes $37 million to reform the criminal justice system to better respond to victims of sexual violence.

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