March 20, 2020
Whanau ora money already spent
Māori Party candidate John Tamihere is demanding what he says is $40 million in unspent Whānau Ora money so providers can get Māori the supplies needed to survive the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Waipareira Trust chief executive says the Government’s $12 billion Covid-19 economic packages are overwhelmingly aimed at the corporate end of town, with a $25 a week increase in benefit rates an afterthought.
He says Whānau Ora providers are hardwired into their communities and can deliver them not just hygiene products but warm clothes, bedding, heating and dehumidifiers.
He’s criticising his rival in Tāmaki Makaurau, Whānau Ora Minister Peeni Henare, for failing to stand up for Māori.
"Middle-class New Zealand is being well looked after by the Government. This is a Labour Government and it's a disgrace and I need urgent action upfront. We've got a Minister of Whānau Ora that refuses, got the money in the bank and refuses to release it so our workers can get these packs into those homes," Mr Tamihere says.
But Whānau Ora Minister Peeni Henare says there is no $40 million of unspent pūtea and John Tamihere knows it.
He says the bulk of the extra money for Whānau Ora in last year’s Budget went to the three commissioning agencies, including the one run by the Waipareira chief executive.
"The commissioning agencies got the lion's share and you will recall at the beginning of the year there was another allocation made to them. That's the bulk of the money. The rest is already aligned for particular kaupapa so I want to squash that right now. There is not $40 million sitting in a saver's account in Wellington," Mr Henare says.
Henare says while Mr Tamihere talks about the economic package being for the white end of town, Māori businesses are also looking to access the wage subsidies and other support available.
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