Horomia Parekura: Budget Debate 
Horomia Parekura: Budget Debate 
[Volume:608;Page:5883] 
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA (Minister of Maori Affairs) 
:  
Mr Speaker mihi kau ana ki a koe i roto i te Turu ra i a ratau e rongo ake ano ki te korero nei ki nga mema o te Whare Miere nei tena koe. 
[An interpretation in English was given to the House.] 
[ 
Special greetings to you Mr Speaker in the Chair and also to those listening in to this debate by members of this Parliament 
.] 
This Budget continues the work this Government has done in supporting the Maori of tomorrow. In my maiden speech to the House I said that the future for Maori is about acknowledging who we are and determining where we want to go. My opinion remains the same. This is a good Budget for Maori. It builds on the back of previous Budgets and it has been informed by this Government getting out and talking to Maori kanohi ki te kanohi—face to face. We have been to 14 regions we have talked to hundreds of Maori and especially we have listened to them and we have come back to try to translate into sensible policy what they have requested and asked for. 
This Government has responded to the call from Maori that participation and achievement in education is a key issue driving the success of the Maori of tomorrow. Our demographics tell us quite clearly that our age profile bulges in the 14-16 year age band. It is a huge number of people and the interesting thing is that it is totally opposite to the non-Maori demographic band. As an Associate Minister of Education I am proud of the extra funding in the Budget that will see a teacher-student ratio of 1:20. In real terms that means an additional 155 teachers in Maori immersion education so that we can ensure that our reo the language of the tangata whenua the first nation people of this country is preserved. There are a whole lot of issues in relation to our education. We want to help whanau support their children’s learning. That is critical. We want to move on from just being the lay people and the manual labourers which at times the labour market has forced us to be. There needs to be work to improve the professional development of teachers in te reo Maori and literacy programmes in all primary schools. 
This Budget will also deliver funding to develop a framework for best teaching practice for students from diverse backgrounds especially Maori. The question needs to be answered: whose framework and who has managed and orchestrated Maoris’ non-participation in education forums at all levels? In short this Government is determined not just to lift educational achievement but to ensure that cultural participation is recognised and preserved and most of all to ensure that we head off on the economic trail that we want very much to be part of and that I can say we were part of in the early days. It is fascinating that in treaty claims and historical summaries in this country what generally is focused on are all the negative issues and the connotations are that all we did was bash up and get bashed. There were partnerships at the turn of the 20th century where we were in control of a whole lot of economic situations but they were either flogged off or taken away. [ 
Interruption 
] We want all New Zealanders to have the chance to reach their full potential even members of the Opposition. It is important that they reach their full potential. Some of them will fill up the gap a lot more with their size than other people will. 
It is important to appreciate and say that we are clear about closing the distance between non-Maori and Maori achievement. Maori have been clear that another key area for this Government is training and employment. Too many young Maori are leaving structured learning early without or with few qualifications. This Government has announced major initiatives that will assist Maori school-leavers to gain the basic skills they need to contribute to building the economy of the nation. If we want to be free and continually preach—[ 
Interruption 
] 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson) 
: I refer the member to Speaker’s rulings 51/5 (1) and (2). 
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA 
: If we want to be clear and honest about preaching equity and if we are not just to worry about it overseas let us practice it in our own backyard. Let us stop this racist scratching. Let us ensure that we recognise the culture of this country. Let us make sure that on the way to collective nationhood which Maori want everybody participates and the majority do not incessantly and unnecessarily bully people who are striving to achieve. [ 
Interruption 
] Too many young Maori are leaving structured learning early. Those who have placed themselves in the fraternity of those who practise legalese and earn a lot of income off the backs of Maori and have been employed on the backs of Maori need to think again. 
Maori school-leavers need to gain the basic skills they need to contribute to building the economy and to learn the fundamentals of business. They should not just learn about these pyramid games and all this nonsensical false building that goes on in the economy. We have got better at it. We do understand it. We do understand the fundamentals. Maori have assets that they want to make sure are played in the economy. 
The expansion of the Gateway programme increasing the number in the Modern Apprenticeships scheme and additional funding to help early school-leavers get further educational training and employment all contribute to the Government’s goal of having all 15 to 19-year-olds involved in education training or work by 2007—Maori Pakeha immigrants the whole lot. This Government continues to recognise that jobs and training play a key part in accelerating Maori development. The labour market is a fascinating thing. It is an area that with vibrant business creates jobs. Under the last Government over a period of time— 
Richard Worth 
: The last Government was Labour. 
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA 
: The Government before that. The unemployment rate was running at 22 to 18 percent for Maori people. This Government has taken it down to 10 percent and across the range it is down 5 percent. That is one of the best unemployment rates that this country has seen in 32 years. Shame on those people who kept us out of the labour market! To change the attitudes of employers and job seekers we will assist Maori job seekers to join the Modern Apprenticeships scheme. Like I said the unemployment rate has trended down. [ 
Interruption 
] I am not too sure what the response to that is— 
Hon Dover Samuels 
: That member’s never worked in his life. 
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA 
: That is right; some people have never worked in their life. They have pretended to turn up to work at 9 o’clock and have finished at 4 o’clock. 
The Government has also recognised that Maori are bringing their own ideas and assets to development in this country. It is critical to understand that. Let me remind members that Maori are partners in one of the biggest fishing companies in this world. Te Ohu Kai Moana has presented the allocation model to the Minister of Fisheries. There is still a long way to go but progress continues to be made. I was fascinated to see the other week at the mussel factory in Blenheim that of the people there about one-third are Maori one-third are Pakeha and one-third are other people. So Maori are doing a lot for this country’s economy. 
Steps forward continue to be made in other treaty settlements this year. Deeds of settlement have been signed with Ngati Awa and Ngati Ruanui. The Government has passed legislation such as the recent Maori Purposes Bill to speed up the process by which treaty claims are reported. I expect that further progress will be made in that area over the next few months. 
Alongside improving economic and employment outcomes whanau development is important to us. Family collectivity is important. It is about working from the bottom up about whanau hapu and iwi development but it is also about getting a stake in the top end—managing our businesses owning our own businesses and determining what is good for us. The Government has a role to aid and abet and support the progress of Maori people but Maori people are more than able now to determine what they want to do how they want to do it and when they want to do it. 
This Government continues to recognise that it is important for Maori to have the opportunity to interact with the Maori language and culture in the 21st century. There are certainly claims of historical redress and we are putting a lot of effort into working through that. Contemporary issues are starting to come out and we will take time to work on them so that fairness is perceived. 
There is extra funding for radio stations throughout the country. The funding is for the professional development of iwi radio staff governance training in te reo Maori and management and planning skills.