May 25, 2022
Te Matatini funding for social outcomes
Te Matatini wants more putea to run its biennial national kapa haka championship, but the Government wants any spending to go towards wider health and social outcomes.
Budget 2022 increased its funding by $1 million a year, a 50 per cent increase on the current $1.95 million.
Chair Selwyn Parata says that’s welcome, but it’s not enough for Te Matatini to allow to expand on the positive contribution that kapa haka brings to Aotearoa.
Associate Culture and Heritage Minister Kiritapu Allen says the money should allow Te Matatini to develop a regional model that will encourage more people to get involved in kapa haka.
“We know that kapa haka is an all-round, catch-all way to improve our reo outcomes, our culture outcomes, in terms of connectivity it brings people together so we see kapa haka and Te Matatini as incredibly vital for achieving some of the outcomes we are seeking across all the well being measures for Māori,” she says.
Kiritapu Allen says Budget 2022 also includes $28m over four years for Te Pae Tawhiti, which is an attempt to address questions about intellectual property, matauranga Māori and culture raised in the Wai 262 claim.