8. Question No. 8—Māori DevelopmentARENA WILLIAMS (Labour—Manurewa) to the Minister for Māori DevelopmentQuestion No. 8—Māori Development8. ARENA WILLIAMS (Labour—Manurewa) to the Minister for Māori Development: What recent announcements has the Government made about support for owners of whenua Māori in Tairāwhiti and Hawke's Bay?Hon WILLIE JACKSON (Minister for Māori Development): I've just announced $30 million of funding to help—Hon Member: How much?Hon WILLIE JACKSON: —$30 million of funding to help whenua Māori owners in Tairāwhiti and Hawke's Bay with the clean-up of sediment and debris on their whenua. The Minister of Forestry and I have also announced that $2 million of the $10.15 million woody debris fund announced as part of Budget 2023 has been allocated specifically to manage woody debris in catchments on whenua Māori. This funding recognises hapori Māori community Māori are still dealing with the aftermath of the cyclone. The Government is committed to continue to support the recovery of communities affected by the cyclone.Arena Williams: How will this funding benefit owners of whenua Māori in Tairāwhiti and Hawke's Bay?Hon WILLIE JACKSON: Owners of whenua Māori can apply to Te Puni Kōkiri which is really good because they can get direct access for their grants to help clean up sediment and debris on their whenua. This helps owners make their own decisions about how to manage the clean-up. Owners of whenua Māori who have completed or started their clean up can also apply for grants. We recognise that iwi and hapori Māori moved quickly after the cyclone to get started on the clean-up. This funding may be able to help them with those costs. The $2 million from the woody debris fund will also be available as grants to clean up woody debris in catchments on whenua Māori.Arena Williams: When will this funding be available?Hon WILLIE JACKSON: Funding will be available from 1 July 2023. Māori land owners in Te Tairāwhiti and the Hawke's Bay can contact the Whenua Māori service in Te Puni Kōkiri for more information and advice about how to apply.Arena Williams: What other assistance is being made available to help clean up debris and sediment?Hon WILLIE JACKSON: Last month my colleagues the Minister of Local Government and the Associate Minister for Cyclone Recovery announced funding of $102 million to help councils process and dispose of debris and to manage sediment on council land. They also announced $70 million to assist commercial properties with their clean-up. Some owners of whenua Māori will meet the criteria for commercial funding. Te Puni Kōkiri is supporting landowners who choose this route through the application process.Hon Meka Whaitiri: Why has it taken nearly five months to get targeted funding to remove silt from whenua Māori in Tairāwhiti and Hawke's Bay?Hon WILLIE JACKSON: It's been a tough process for this Government it's been a tough process for this country but we're committed to looking after not just our own people but all the people in the different communities and I'm proud of the response from this Government.Hon Meka Whaitiri: Will he support Te Paati Māori's policy of $100 million for a dedicated clean-up fund for tangata whenua; if not why not?Hon WILLIE JACKSON: I will support any fund in terms of supporting our people if it's thought through well which clearly that view has not been.