March 02, 2023
Māori relief pūtea cutting red tape
The Minister of Maori Development Minister Willie Jackson says a separate Māori funding stream is essential for a timely and effective response to the cyclone cleanup.
Mainstream commentators have complained about a $15 million fund that will be channelled through Te Puni Kōkiri, Whānau Ora and Te Arawhiti to help marae undertake response and recovery activities, purchase equipment needed for the clean-up, and support planning and co-ordination efforts.
Mr Jackson says it’s on top of the millions of dollars which is available for all affected groups, and supplements what Māori are already doing with their own limited resoures.
“Māori have been accessing the main pūtea too but sometimes things get a bit tricky, a bit complicated, a bit slow and so my people particularly can get out money real quick if the generator’s broken down or they need support in terms of kai and all that. Even though we got MSD doing a good job there, sometimes we’ve got to top up,” he says.
Minister Jackson says the new funding has been well-received by the people on the ground in Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti.