May 27, 2019
High Māori expectations for Budget
Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis says this week's Wellbeing Budget is a chance to address some longstanding concerns withing Māoridom.
Announcements have already been made about $56 million to rebuilt the capacity of the Māori Land Court and provide advice and services to Māori landowners, and $100 million for a Māori Pathway project targeting Māori prisoners.
Mr Davis says the Government isn't shy of targeting funding where needed.
"We know that over half of people in prison are Māori and something needs to be different. This is a system change we are implementing with Māori Pathways and it is probably 170 years overdue, so if someone wants to accuse me of funding for Māori, yes, I'm guilty as charged," he says.
Mr Davis says all the Māori MPs have been putting in the hard yards to get some of their funding priorities met.
Copyright © 2019, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com