Labour on whänau, hapü, iwi and Mäori community
Hon Parekura Horomia
Minister of Mäori Affairs
MP for
Ikaroa-Rawhiti
16 July 2002
Labour on whänau, hapü, iwi and Mäori community development
"Whänau,
hapü, iwi and Mäori communities have spearheaded their own
success, making the most of the opportunity to work with the
Labour led government to achieve their development
aspirations ", said Mäori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia
today.
"Three years ago Labour took up the challenge to work alongside whänau, hapü, iwi and Mäori communities to build a platform for sustainable long term development. Together we have made a solid start on preparing the platform and together, we still have much to achieve.
"We have worked to strengthen the ongoing Treaty relationship and together, we are working to accelerate development.
"We have sought to progress a whole of government approach. Government agencies are expected to work constructively with whänau, hapü, iwi and Mäori communities. We will continue with this and expect all government agencies to continue to improve the way in which they engage with Mäori.
Achievements include:
Completing unfinished business, such as Te Ture Whenua Mäori
Act amendments and Mäori Reserved Landowners negotiated
agreement and reformed out-dated tax laws for Maori
organisations.
Social and economic measures,
such as, better access to quality primary health services,
access to affordable adequate housing, over 300 new Mäori
owned businesses, over 24,000 more Mäori in jobs, Modern
Apprenticeships and Industry Training opportunities, and the
Hui Taumata Mätauranga and initiatives to improve Mäori
education achievement.
Improvements to the
Treaty settlement process for both partners have
strengthened the integrity of the process and ensure
settlements last. This includes the new streamlined
Waitangi Tribunal process and funding. Three deeds of
settlement have been signed and six iwi are in intensive
negotiations.
Working constructively to get
Mäori Television Service up and running and good progress on
fisheries.
"The aim of Labour's second term in government is to consolidate the progress made and build on the development momentum created.
"The next three years will see Mäori undergo a major period of change, through the distribution of significant assets. The development opportunities this creates must be fully grasped for the benefit of all our communities now and in the future.
"Mäori have the desire and potential to achieve
their goals. Labour in a second term will accept the
challenge as a Treaty partner to facilitate whänau hapü iwi
and Mäori community development across the whole of
government," Parekura Horomia
said.