Radical plans for ministry

By Richard Knight

The Mana Motuhake party wants to give Te Puni Kokiri powers to audit all other state agencies to check what efforts they make to deliver services to Maori.

The party, which is under the Alliance umbrella, says if it is part of the next government, departments' attitudes and performances will dictate where Maori money is spent.

Mana Motuhake leader Sandra Lee released the party's Maori policy at the weekend, promising radical changes to Te Puni Kokiri (the Ministry of Maori Development).

She said mainstreaming had created a stalemate for Maori for too long and changes had to be made to create initiatives which would produce results.

"For too long Governments have been happy to appear to throw money towards Maori, knowing full well it often doesn't reach its destination.

"In future, Government agencies will be placed under contractual obligation and, if they don't measure up, contracts will be terminated.

"Any organisation, whether a government agency or a community group, will be able to contest for the Vote Maori dollar.

"At a time when the public dollar is being scrutinised, whether in Winz or in the Ministry of Defence, it is time to look closely at the Vote Maori dollar."

Mana Motuhake members feel the policy will ignite enough excitement among Maori voters to give them seats at this year's election.

The seats of Waiariki and Hauraki look within the party's grasp. Independent MP Tuariki Delamere and Mana Motuhake candidate Arapeta Tahana are likely to have a close fight in Waiariki, which encompasses the Bay of Plenty and Tauranga electorates.

Mr Tahana is chairman of the Arawa Maori Trust Board, based in Rotorua, while Mr Delamere was educated in Tauranga, belongs to the Tuhourangi tribe of Rotorua and is the chairman of the Whakatohea Trust Board, based in Opotiki.

The new seat of Hauraki will pit urban Maori high-flyers Willie Jackson - national director for Mana Motuhake - and John Tamihere, former chief executive of Te Whanau o Waipareira in West Auckland, against each other.

National, NZ First, Act and Mauri Pacific are still to release their Maori policies.