MEDIA STATEMENT

Monday 26 May 2014

Independent Māori Statutory Board backed by Māori Party

MP for Tāmaki Makaurau, Dr Pita Sharples, is backing the Independent Māori Statutory Board in their assessment of Auckland Council’s under-support for Māori in Auckland. The Board is calling on the Auckland Council to step up its support, particularly for urban marae, which are a vital part of our diverse communities in Auckland.

“Auckland Council made a commitment to support Māori outcomes and initiatives. Underspending when there is so much need in our communities is a disgrace,” says Dr Sharples.

“The Independent Māori Statutory Board was right to hold the Council to account for their lack of delivery and focus on Māori in Auckland, and I support their call for more funding to support Māori outcomes.”

“The Council seem to take Māori in Auckland for granted. There has been a lot of hard work, blood, sweat and tears that have gone in to creating support networks and infrastructure for Māori living in Auckland. Urban marae are one part of that – and they are absolutely deserving of attention and support from the Auckland Council.”

“Hoani Waititi, for example, was one of the first urban marae created in the 70’s. For three decades it has served the community hosting official functions for the government, for the Council, institutions and corporations from across Auckland. It led the way to the development of urban, church and school marae being established throughout New Zealand.”

“This marae was built with no government funding but the honest, hard work and drive of Māori to create a place for Māori culture and custom to ease the urban Māori migration of the time. This is the case for many marae across our city, who have so humbly served the people. All marae in Auckland deserve to be recognised as a vital part of our communities, and supported as such by Auckland Council.”

“Māori development in Auckland and investing into Māori communities should be a part of Auckland Council’s core work. It was the Māori Party who fought to establish the Independent Māori Statutory Board, and I am so pleased to see that they are working effectively and are also holding the Auckland Council to account. The Māori Party will continue to push for more mechanisms like this to ensure that Māori are participating and having a say at all levels of governance,” says Dr Sharples.

ENDS

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