Maori Party Disgusted at new report indicating social crisis

Wednesday 17 August 2005

Tariana Turia, Co-leader, Maori Party

The Maori Party has today commended the courage of the Child Poverty Action Group in 'giving voice to the voiceless' through their latest report, 'Hard to Swallow: Foodbank use in New Zealand".

"It is indeed hard to swallow that in the face of government reports indicating all is well, this new report reveals over 100,000 New Zealand households experience low food security" said Mrs Tariana Turia, Co-leader, Maori Party.

"Last week we had Minister Maharey boasting of a 'record-breaking performance' to remind us "how far New Zealand's economy and society had progressed over the last six years".

"The only record-breaking feats of this Government have been record numbers of children living in families below the poverty line; record numbers of people receiving special benefits on account of low income; record numbers of food parcels distributed by the Auckland City Mission in 2004" said Mrs Turia.

"It is particularly shattering to learn through the Poverty Indicator project report (April 2005) that Maori were over-represented at every foodbank participating in the survey, with high representation also of Pasific peoples".

"What sort of a community are we creating if we ignore the abject poverty of predominantly Maori and Pasifika women and children?" asked Mrs Turia.

The Maori Party will be giving serious consideration to the recommendations in the report and will be releasing details shortly of a proposed response.

ENDS

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