Te Ururoa Flavell encouraged people to take their ideas to the regional hui and be ready to participate. Photo / File
Te Ururoa Flavell encouraged people to take their ideas to the regional hui and be ready to participate. Photo / File
Maori Party co-leader and Minister for Maori Development Te Ururoa Flavell will visit regional New Zealand during the next few months, including hui in Rotorua and Whakatane.
He said he was keen to hear first hand what the major issues were for local communities and what he could do tosupport them. "I gave an undertaking when I became a minister to get out to communities and listen to those people who work with our people every day. It's really important that ministers understand how Government policies impact on our people and I know there are some stark differences across the regions."
The first Hui Whakahononga-a-Rohe (Regional Open Forum) will be held in Gisborne on Sunday night.
All hui will be open to anyone who has an interest in Maori development including individuals, whanau, hapu and iwi.
Mr Flavell encouraged people to take their ideas to the regional hui and be ready to participate. "I'll be doing more listening than talking. This is an opportunity for whanau to share their views with me and for us to consider pragmatic ways that I, along with other ministerial colleagues, can help them achieve their aspirations."
Hui have been organised in Gisborne, Hastings, Whanganui, Taumarunui, Hamilton, Rotorua, New Plymouth, Tauranga, Whakatane, Palmerston North, Wellington and Auckland.
Hui will also take place in the South Island early next year.
