January 28, 2022
Grinding poverty recipe for social unrest
A far north community advocate is warning of social disorder if something isn’t done to address the poor economic state of the region.
Ricky Houghton from Māori service provider He Korowai Trust, says the high price of petrol, rising food costs and low wages are making it harder for people to provide for their whānau.
Muriwhenua has high rates of unemployment and low wages pushing people closer to the edge.
“Unless something’s done to help socially and economically kick start the economic prosperity of these families, we’re all doomed. It’s only a matter of when, not if,” Mr Houghton says.