May 22, 2023
ECE boost will have long term benefit for Māori
A Māori community advocate says the Budget will be a big boost for whanau, especially those with young children.
Manukau Urban Māori Authority chief executive Tania Rangiheuea says getting rid of prescription fees is fantastic, and Māori service organisations will be considering education campaigns to make sure Māori pick up their scripts.
Extending the 20 hours free early childhood education subsidy to cover two-year olds will also make a big difference to overall achievement levels.
“It means we’re engaging our Māori parents in education earlier. When they get to three, you’ve only got two years in early childhood and those formative years are so important for setting down good disciplines and practices, particularly for families – getting their children up early, getting them into school, getting them into learning,” Ms Rangiheueua says.
She says the focus on needs-based funding is good for Māori, because many of them are in low decile communities with high needs.