August 18, 2016
Regional investment key to jobs
Maori Party co-leader Marama Fox says a regional investment strategy is needed to boost Maori job growth.
The June quarter household labour force survey showed Maori unemployment falling to 11 percent, down from 12.2 percent a year ago, with the overall rater just 5.1 percent after excluding people who are only looking for jobs online.
Ms Fox says while the figure is still too high it is heading in the right direction.
She says if the Goverment was serious about improving job growth and the economy it would invest heavily in regional infrastructure.
"If you're going to make manuka oil or manuka honey or develop aqua culture up on the coast then you need to have a decent loading system to get your product to market. You need to have decent internet access, you need to be able to get to a port", says Mrs Fox.
Marama Fox says regional development is more important than waiting for trade pacts like the Trans Pacific Partnership to boost the country's wealth.
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