At least 2,000 houses owned by Maori are to be insulated by the taxpayer as a result of the deal between the Maori Party and National over the Emissions Trading Scheme.
Maori Party co leader Pita Sharples says that is just one of the concessions made when his party agreedto give National the numbers to pass the new ETS into law.
Dr Sharples says it is a significant breakthrough for Maori who cannot afford the $3,500 they would need over and above the Government grant. He says 500 houses in Northland will be fitted out, 500 on the East Coast and at least a thousand in other parts of the country.
Dr Sharples accepts a rise in benefits to cushion the blow to households of the ETS is now off the negotiating table. It appears he was confused with the automatic increase, which is adjusted for inflation.
