April 20, 2020
Maori pandemic funds well spent
Crown-Māori Relations Minister Kelvin Davis believes the steps taken to assist the Māori pandemic response has been appropriate and effective.
Cabinet will today consider whether it is time for the COVID-19 alert level to drop from four to three, with an announcement to be made at 4 pm today.
Mr Davis says the government has tried to take Māori along with the process, and iwi leaders are talking every day with officials about how to implement the issues raised.
There was also a $56 million Māori package announced at the start of the lockdown.
"$30 million went towards Māori health issues, $15m to Whānau Ora, $10m TPK distributed, Te Arawhiti $470,000 that went to helping iwi and Māori groups implement their pandemic plans, $1m to support Māori businesses, so there is a lot that has gone into supporting Māori, not to mention, and I know people don't like me saying this, but the $500 million, that went to the whole health package, Māori have benefited from that as well," he says.
Kelvin Davis says if the country does move to level three it will mean an extension of people’s bubbles rather a return to pre-COVID behaviour.
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