Around the world it's been shown that indigenous peoples progress at a far greater rate when they are in control of their own development, and this is really what we are committed to doing. Mäori communities must be involved at all levels in developing solutions said Hon. Tariana Turia at the triennial hui of the New Zealand Mäori Council today.

"Closing the Gaps means there is even more reason for departments to engage with whänau, hapü, iwi and Mäori organisations to deliver specified services to Mäori communities.

" ... capacity-building should be an empowering process whereby Mäori have the chance to continue to drive, formulate and implement their own development strategies.

"It is about building a capacity that supports active iwi participation in strategies to alleviate the disparities between Mäori and non-Mäori and facilitate whänau, hapü and iwi development.

" I want to encourage Mäori to look at the baseline agency funding that is already apportioned. I believe our people have the ability and creativity to design and implement creative solutions to address the disparities which exist.," she said.

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