Budget 2013 – Pūtea For the People

The Māori Party describes Budget 2013 as a solid budget for whanau; distinguished by pragmatic initiatives that will be funded as a direct result of Māori Party influence in Government.  Since entering into multiple agreements with the Government, the Māori Party has secured funding for a wide range of initiatives to benefit Māori and others in a number of areas, despite holding only 3 of 121 seats in Parliament.

“Our recent input to the Ministerial Committee on Poverty which we established in our Relationship Accord with National in 2011 has meant the budget this year is aimed at supporting low income whānau,” said Co-Leader Tariana Turia.

“We have deliberately sought resources to support whānau to be warm, to be well and to be succeeding in all spheres.  We have concentrated our efforts on lifting educational achievement; jobs and training, promoting te reo, whānau, hapū and iwi development, as well as providing tangible support for those whānau living in hardship.”

“A key driver for us in our co-operation with the National Party was getting support for our whānau who have been hit the hardest by the global financial crisis – hence we have secured $122.5 million to help address poverty in New Zealand including a massive $100  million for the Healthy homes programme; $10.2 million is going to support people with disabilities in achieving the aspirations they have of living a great life,” said Turia.

“A particularly exciting initiative has been supporting families out of unsustainable debt by the microfinance package.”

“Our influence on this year’s budget is absolutely core to Māori Party philosophy – setting things up to help our whānau help themselves.”

“We have also pushed hard to see more done to tackle the issue of Māori and Pasifika unemployment – which is critical in lifting whānau income.  We are extremely proud of the announcements expanding trade training placements for Māori and Pasifika to 3000, and for increased support to the Māori Affairs cadetship programme which has proven successful in keeping Māori in employment.”

“Furthermore, you can see the influence the Ministerial Committee on Poverty has had across the whole of government, with many initiatives in this budget being aligned to the kaupapa of tackling poverty, short term and long term.”

Co-Leader Pita Sharples has said that these initiatives will also go a long way towards supporting the growth and development of whanāu and Māori communities.

“We have secured $254.4 million worth of investment into Māori communities and that money is spread across a wide range of portfolios,” said Dr Sharples.  “$47 million has been set aside for trades and cadetships that will see our young people equipped with the right skills and qualifications to get set up in good careers.”

“We’ve heard the cries and advice of our people to keep our language alive and so approximately $60 million has been committed to te reo Māori and Māori education,” said Sharples.  “This is to increase the number of Māori who speak te reo and to invest in the people and initiatives doing the hard yards to keep it alive and thriving.”

“Investment in these key areas will make a difference to the lives of our whānau, and we are pleased to be able to serve the needs of our communities.”

Party Whip Te Ururoa Flavell was pleased to see $1.2 million – specifically earmarked for marae and community developments.

“The Māori Party’s work with marae can now continue to grow and benefit local communities,” said Flavell.  “Having a representative at the table in Government has meant that marae have now secured the funding to carry on doing what they do best – serving their communities.”

Putea for our people – Māori Party Budget 2013 Gains

$47 million – trades and cadetships
$10.2 million – disabilities
$8 million – family violence
$48.5 million – language and education
$12 million – kainga whenua
$122.5 million – poverty
$1.2 million – marae and community
$5 million – Pasifika health

ENDS

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