Aotearoa New Zealand’s most vulnerable communities will be left wanting by today’s budget announcements, says Te Kāhui
Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission.
“Today’s budget announcement lets New Zealanders know what the Coalition Government values are and where they want to
see investment as a society,” said Chief Human Rights Commissioner Saunoamaali’i Karanina Sumeo.
A notable lack of funding for Māori development, and cuts to Māori housing, will confirm for many whānau, iwi, hapū that
their needs are not a priority. Similarly, an absence of support for Rainbow Communities will be felt.
“We encourage the Government to commit to te Tiriti o Waitangi and human rights and prioritise investment in communities
already living with poor health, social, economic, education and criminal justice outcomes.”
Tax cuts announced in the budget will result in superannuitant couples receiving $4.50 a week between them and a minimum
wage worker $12.50 a week. Meanwhile, a working couple with a combined income of $150,000 will receive an extra $40 a
week.
Today’s budget confirmed that a new Social Investment Agency will replace the Social Wellbeing Agency to assess whether
initiatives to support vulnerable communities are working.
“The rights to a decent home, dignified work with fair and equal pay, and a decent standard of living remain critical
needs for Tangata Whenua, diverse ethnic communities, disabled people, women, and children,” Sumeo said.
The budget commitment to 1500 new homes through the community housing sector is vital and needed. Community housing
organisations play an important role in realising the right to a decent home. It is vital these homes are accessible and
culturally appropriate.
The Commission is concerned by cuts to baseline funding for population agencies Te Puni Kōkiri, Ministry for Pacific
Peoples and the Ministry for Ethnic Communities, especially when there appear to be no new initiatives supporting these
populations.
“These cuts will have flow on effects that will be felt by diverse communities for years to come,” Sumeo said.
Many dedicated initiatives and funding supports for these communities are reducing or ending. The Commission is
concerned for community-led initiatives that contribute to maintaining and improving social cohesion and harmonious
relations.
Kaihautū Tika Hauātanga Disability Rights Commissioner Prudence Walker said the $1.1 billion over five years to address
cost pressures for Whaikaha Ministry of Disabled People was urgently needed to ensure sufficient support for disabled
people to participate in community.
“Many disabled people are simply doing their best to survive and have been devastated by recent abrupt changes to their delicately balanced support structures. I urge the Government to co-design supports for disabled people and
remember, people have a right to contribute to their own advancement,” she said.
The budget includes investment in improved learning support as part of a $2.9 million package over four years to
education including additional teacher support and early childhood education.
“The right to inclusive education for disabled students requires a whole system and whole school approach. Learning
support needs to be backed with teacher training and recruitment to ensure all teaching staff are well equipped to
support all learners. Similarly, investment in new or renovated classrooms must ensure accessibility for disabled
students,” said Walker.
The Commission is concerned about the non-renewal of dedicated funding and support for families affected by the March 15
terror attacks in Christchurch. While it has been five years since the attacks, the Government response to the Royal
Commission report has only been underway for three and a half years.
Families and communities are still recovering and rebuilding and that takes specific and dedicated support.