February 16, 2024
Hokianga hāerenga impresses finance minister
The Minister for Finance and Social Investment, Nicola Willis, says she’s impressed with what iwi in Taitokerau are doing to grow their economy.
During Waitangi weekend Ms Willis and other ministers and MPs were taken on a hāerenga around the region.
She says she saw areas with substandard housing and poverty as the consequence of a lack of sustainable long term employment opportunities.
“I also saw really positive stuff which is iwi in particular taking on economic development, investing in avocado orchards, even experimenting with coffee, water irrigation schemes, orchards. iwi are incredibly invested in creating job opportunities for their people that are sustainable,” she says.
Minister Willis says the Government will overhaul regulatory frameworks that prevent areas like the Hokianga access to the infrastructure needed to drive economic growth.