Maori Caucus in town to talk Budget 2023

Government Ministers Willie Jackson (left) Kiri Allan and Peeni Henare were among the Labour Party Maori Caucus who visited Gisborne yesterday. They were welcomed on to Poho o Rawiri Marae.Picture supplied

The Labour Party Maori Caucus ministers were in Gisborne yesterday to spread the word on the Budget 2023 funding announcements for Maori.

The total Māori package this year is just over $825 million.

Funding announced included $23m for extending Te Ringa Hāpai Whenua Fund which enables landowners to undertake whenua-based economic, cultural, social and environmental projects. The money would be spread over four years.

A further $8m is tagged for Te Tumu Paeroa to support whenua Māori owners to take proactive steps to comply with ongoing regulatory changes.

Cyclone recovery efforts were boosted by $19.9m to provide a data sharing system for improved community and economic resilience planning.

Whānau Ora received a further $168.1m over four years.

This year’s Hauora funding of $132m will continue to fund Māori Health providers.

An investment of $225m will fund Māori education that will benefit around 25,000 ākonga (students) in 325 schools and kura.

Almost $10m will go towards 57 more iwi to help develop the local content needed so schools and kura can work together with mana whenua.

The Te Ao Marama programme, pioneered in Gisborne, will get $11.7m. Chief District Court Judge Heemi Taumaunu has been leading this new approach to justice based on tikanga Māori.

Te Matatini, the national kapa haka festival, receives $34 million over two years.

$18 million over four years will build on Matariki events.

Māori media gets $51m across two years. New Zealand Māori Tourism gets an $8m boost.