Mana Motuhake/Alliance - direct funding and full accountability for Vote Maori

The time has come for Maori to determine how the Vote Maori budget is spent. But we must also have the right to judge whether or not any government agency or organisation is delivering the service to Maori they are contracted to do, leader of Mana Motuhake and deputy leader of the Alliance, Sandra Lee said today in a speech called Maori Heart Of a New Government.

‘This policy is the flag ship for the end of mainstreaming.

‘She was launching the Mana Motuhake Alliance Treaty of Waitangi policy at the Mana Motuhake hui a tau (annual conference) in Tauranga today.The new policy initiative involves legislation to change the mandate of Te Puni Kokiri, the ministry for Maori development.

‘The problem is TPK isn't allowed to be a ministry for Maori development. All it can do is advise the Crown and monitor what is not happening for Maori, hence the Closing the Gaps Report.

‘This is a result we’ve been happy to appear to throw money towards Maori, knowing full well it often doesn't reach its destination.

‘We want to change that. We will empower TPK to 'police' all ministries. At a time when the public dollar is being scrutinised, whether at WINZ or in the Ministry of Defence, it is time to look closely at the Vote Maori dollar.

‘In future, government agencies will be placed under contractual obligation. TPK will be given the job of auditing each agency to check that a service is being delivered to Maori.

‘Contracts will be terminated and reallocated where failure to deliver is
apparent. Any organisations, whether a government agency of a community group will be able to contest for the Vote Maori dollar.

‘If we can get the basic structures for funding on track, then we have the blueprint right. Without that map, any other policy initiative is just a good intention.

More details of the full Maori policy will be launched alongside other Alliance policies, for example the policy for a Maori education authority to guarantee full support for Kohanga, Kura and Wananga Maori education initiatives.

‘I also make a commitment here today, that if part of the next government, this time next year Maori across the country will be offered the chance to vote on what kind of democratic representation they want, not only at a national level but at a local level too.

We will be advocating a system of Rohe Pooti, which would establish a system of Maori regional councils across the country, with democratic representatives from iwi, hapu and urban authorities, and create a central Maori Countil at a national level.

‘These are major initiatives which I believe we have a real chance of fulfilling after the election. We look forward to starting work on day one of a new government,' said Sandra Lee.

ENDS

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