$190m Maori Board Wishlist Opposed

Auckland Mayor Len Brown is currently considering an Independent Maori Statutory Board wishlist totalling $190 million of spending over the next ten years. The Mayor will give Auckland Council his thinking on the city’s budget on Thursday. At this stage it is unclear what that list specifically entails, but based on an interview Mr. Brown gave on Tuesday, Mayoral candidate Stephen Berry says it should be opposed.

“It is apparent the Independent Maori Statutory Board has given no regard to what the purpose of Councils is when it makes a claim for $19 million of ratepayer money each year. On the upside I’m glad to know just how much I will be able to save the ratepayer by opposing their spending demands if I am elected in 2016.”

The Mayor states the IMSB wants the Council to take the lead on economic development and jobs for Maori, to help iwi in their development of settlement assets and support initiatives aimed at improving education. Stephen Berry says, “There is nothing mentioned there that Council should have any involvement in whatsoever.

“One of the reasons borrowing and rates continue to grow is because Auckland Council keeps duplicating activities that are already done by central government. Economic development is an area in which central government already does a terrible job.

“As for assistance with developing settlement assets, I would love to know why the ratepayer should fund investment advice for iwi. The first advice I could give iwi for developing their assets is to pay for their own financial adviser.”

Affordable Auckland says the role of Council is to fund the naturally monopolistic goods and services that are essential to the functioning of the city such as maintaining sewerage systems. Economic development, educational initiatives and corporate welfare are not included..

ENDS

© Scoop Media