May 15, 2020
Budget missed opportunity for partnership
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The head of Māori trade group Te Taumata says Budget 2020 was a missed opportunity for Government to work with iwi.
Chris Karamea Insley, who also heads Te Arawa’s fishing companies, says there’s a lot to applaud in terms of job creation, in support for the primary sector, and the investment in science and technology.
There’s a big splash of cash but no clear picture of the future and no role spelled out for Māori.
"They've missed the opportunity to partner with iwi. Like Government, as iwi, we have low debt on our balance sheets so we too are a natural partner but in the Budget document, there is little to no mention of Māori. There's a little bit of money put in to up the Māori development budget, not much," Mr Insley says.
He says many Māori would also be disappointed at the amount done to tackle climate change.
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