May 21, 2023
Whānau need whare yesterday: Ngāti Kahungunu Chair Bayden Barber
Our people need houses yesterday, says Chair of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Kahungunu Bayden Barber.
“It’s about speed of delivery, getting that money from Government out to our whānau” he says.
Bayden Barber who is on the Cyclone Gabrielle Recovery Taskforce, says the $19 million announced for cyclone recovery in last week’s budget will go a long way to putting kai on whānau table.
But he says managed retreat of whānau on restricted whenua is the next big issue to be discussed between the Government and Iwi.
Over 100 whānau are still being accommodated on Marae, in emergency housing, Motels and sharing whare with relatives.
Bayden Barber says it’s unlikely whānau will be able to return to damaged whenua, so a conversation with Central and Local Government around a buy out or a land swap needs to take place.
“It’s complex and there’s been no decision made by Government, so I think there’s more thinking that needs to be done around this.” says Bayden Barber.
The $19 million is part of the Māori targeted budget announced last week. This pūtea is in addition to $1 billion support package for flood and cyclone-ravaged rohe, including an additional $275 million to repair roads, a $100 million flood protection fund, and a commitment to return all schools to their pre-weather state.
Here is how the Māori Budget 2023 has been allocated:
• Whare: Whai Kāinga Whai Oranga $200 million
• Whenua: Te Ringa Hāpai Whenua Fund $23 million (over 4yrs)
• Cyclone Recovery Efforts: $19.9 million (over 4yrs)
• Whānau Ora: $168.1 million (over 4yrs)
• Hauora: $132 million
• Māori Education: $225 million
• Māori Justice: Te Ao Marama $11.7 million (for 2023/2024yr)
• Te Matatini: $34 million (over 2yrs)
• Matariki: $18 million (over 4yrs)
• Te Mātāwai: $10 million (over 4yrs)
• Māori Media: $51 million (over 2yrs)
• Māori Tourism: $8 million