Horomia Parekura: Budget Debate 
Horomia Parekura: Budget Debate 
[Volume:631;Page:3378] 
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA (Minister of Maori Affairs) 
: 
 There is also a quote from Shakespeare about a pound of flesh—people tend to think that it is always about a pound of flesh. The focus on money by these other parties in the first instance is outrageous. There is no doubt that Maori are a unique people. The contribution made by Maori to New Zealand is etched on the country at this stage. Maori culture reinforces the dynamic identity of Aotearoa New Zealand in a globalised society. I am thankful that Hone Harawira recognises his Pakeha side because I have worked with Maori over the years who used to deny it—for example Tau Henare. 
Everything we do now must be measured for the contribution it makes to the future of our people. The groundwork has been done the scene has been set and this Minister of Maori Affairs has been part of it—not like the prattle of ancient and past Ministers of Maori Affairs especially the one sitting in this House. [ 
Interruption 
] How so? It is simple. Our growing asset base falling unemployment rates and rising participation rates in education and enterprise are what Maori are doing today and that is what they are trying to establish in their growing population. All of these present opportunities have been imbued developed and strengthened by this Government. 
This Budget provides for Maori and I am glad that my friend Hone Harawira is sorry that as he said he does not understand. That is dead right; he does not understand. But I will help him learn it as he goes along. This Budget provides for Maori. It is about moving people from dependency to development. The Maori Party does not like this approach; it prefers our people to be trapped in the dungeons of doom and gloom. Well I tell those doom merchants that the best way out of poverty—in fact the only way out of poverty and dependency—is through work. 
Maori Party members are concerned about beneficiary entitlement. They are arguing that beneficiaries should receive the in-work support payment. Without a doubt beneficiaries are better off under this Government than they have ever been. But I want to make clear to this House that with this Government’s approach work always pays. If we are serious about moving our people from dependency to development work must always pay. This Government has made significant inroads into supporting beneficiaries and their families. Child poverty has reduced by 70 percent under this Government. But most important this Government has given beneficiaries work. Research and experience shows that this Government has got 100000 people off the dole and into work. Of those 30000 are Maori. They are off the dole and into work. That is simple logic. 
Dr Sharples as we have just heard Hone say would tell the House to give all the money to Vote Maori Affairs. Then in turn it could all be given to Maori and we would wait and see what happens. In 1999-2000 when this Government came into power Vote Maori Affairs had $55 million. This year it had a 200 percent increase to $156 million—well-spent and well-managed money to help Maori development. The National Party with its “mother of all Budgets” slashed $1.3 billion in 1 day. It put the economy into a spin. And to resurrect the recession that was put on the people—members heard what Dr Cullen said this morning—National sold the State houses. That is what National did. That is National’s economic mentality. Those members marginalised people by thinking big with little minds and unkempt practices that do not have platforms of the macro and the micro. Dr Cullen will be remembered as the best finance Minister in Parliament’s history. 
National sold the State houses it put the economy into recession it slashed $1.3 billion and it is trying to do it again through John Key. That is supporting the greedy not the needy. That is the right agenda. National members like John Carter know that. Hone Harawira knows that. Members should look at those two Hones sitting together. That is why they are together because they support it. 
Hone Harawira 
: I raise a point of order Madam Speaker. I understand that it is improper for the Minister to refer to me just by my first name. I would also like to point out that when he said that I said I did not understand in fact what I said was that I do not know why the Maori MPs in Labour did not fight for Maori not that I did not understand. 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Ann Hartley) 
: The second part is not a point of order. The first part of it was and the member needs to refer to the member by his proper name. While I am on my feet I will just say that there is far too much of a barrage. It is a constant barrage. Interjections are OK; a barrage is not. 
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA 
: I turn to benefits for Maori in this Budget. Without a doubt the 2006 Budget improves the opportunities and the social and economic well-being of Maori. People do not want to understand that. The Government is continuing to deliver for Maori through the strengthening of core services in all areas. The Budget has expanded targeted tax relief to 85000 more families. What is wrong with that? By next year 350000 families will be getting $1.6 billion every year the sum of the single-day wipe-off that those members’ financial policies created. That is tax relief of $88 a week. [ 
Interruption 
] That is right I tell Mr Brownlee. That means more money in pockets and more incentives to get into work. Working for Families will deliver more to working Maori. Cutting the student loan interest will deliver to Maori. That will make up for all this humbug about the Government not caring about Maori. In terms of beneficiaries 251000 New Zealanders were receiving an accommodation supplement and 69000 of those were Maori. The new in-work payment came into effect on 1 April. The in-work payment will support our people because they need it. 
Hon Tau Henare 
: What’s Te Puni Kokiri doing? 
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA 
: Te Puni Kokiri is doing a lot more than when that bloke was Minister—when he had those commissioners and Fay Richwhite represented the Maori affairs policy in the National Government at that time. He knows that because they used to go fishing with him on Thursday nights. That is how he tried to get the leaks out of the public servants. He knows that. Shame on him! There are expected decreases in child poverty. Those members know that. 
In education Maori will benefit from investment across the education sector. We are not talking about $5 million. We are talking about $166.4 million targeted towards tertiary education. The number of Modern Apprenticeships is up to 14000. Additional funding for early childhood education and schooling is $28.2 million for a standard 20 hours a week of free early childhood care. I know that that member does not understand but he will learn as time goes on. He should come over to this side. That is important. 
Funding for more effectively managing disruptive behaviour in schools comes to $9.5 million. We should put some money into Parliament to control the disruptive behaviour on the other side of the Chamber. There is $89.3 million to provide an extra 455 full-time teachers. That is a great thing. It is no good having a great language strategy or a great Maori broadcasting strategy if we do not have people to teach it. Both Te Whakaruruhau and the Maori Televison Service have come in on time. There is $95.6 million to increase operational funding for schools. The total is $322.6 million. If people want to talk about money for the people or support for Maoridom it is all there. 
The provision of interest-free loans is also there. Funding for Te Kotahitanga a professional development programme to help teacher better engage Maori has been extended to $10.9 million which is actually more than manaaki tauira. Much has been said about axing that but it is make-believe and mystery that is put upon our people by default. It is disgraceful. The Maori people know along with Koro Wetere that this is a great Budget for Maori.