Govt Departments, Not Koha Cash Cows

Tuesday 20 Jan 2004 Dr Muriel Newman Press Releases -- Other

Reports of Government departments spending more than a million dollars on koha have revealed a disturbing attitude toward taxpayers' money, ACT New Zealand Social Welfare Spokesman Dr Muriel Newman today.

"While koha is customary when working with Maori, it does not have to be cash. Yet the Departments of Corrections, and Child Youth and Family have together given more than half a million dollars in cash alone," Dr Newman said.

"In the public service, in particular, spending must be seen to be appropriate. Many taxpayers would regard the giving of public money in cash gifts to organisations or individuals as the complete opposite.

"These Government departments should be developing other ways of providing recognition of hospitality that don't involve cash," Dr Newman said.

ENDS

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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