October 09, 2020
$100m in marae upgrades to boost regional economies
A leading Māori development specialist is welcoming some of the last of the Provincial Growth Fund going to marae as part of a post COVID-19 focus to create jobs and put money into the pockets of local tradespeople and businesses.
In Kaikohe today, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones and Māori Development Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced $96 million will be spent over the next year upgrading 351 marae.
More than 3100 jobs will be created.
Willie Te Aho says his marae at Raukokore will get long overdue maintenance as well as a new car park to keep manuhiri safe, and 12 Te Aitanga a Māhaki marae will also get benefit through their involvement in a wider collective of East Coast iwi.
"Toi Tū Tairāwhiti is very appreciative of this timely boost because it allows us to then also look at training Māori apprentices. It ensures at least two for Te Aitanga a Māhaki get a building ticket and can go on to other things so this is a fantastic policy," he says.
The marae funding comes on top of the $12 million announced last month for upgrades of town halls, war memorials and other community facilities around the country and $10 million to refurbish Pasifika churches.
National Party finance spokesperson Paul Goldsmith says marae upgrades are a waste of government funding, and the fact it was announced just over a week from the election is outrageous.
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