Harawira Hone: Supplementary Estimates — Imprest Supply Debate 
Harawira Hone: Supplementary Estimates — Imprest Supply Debate 
[Volume:632;Page:3709] 
HONE HARAWIRA (Maori Party—Te Tai Tokerau) 
:  
Tena tatou te Whare. I understand that amongst other things the supplementary estimates list the changes in appropriation since the Budget and often I hear those changes mean funding cuts. That means of course that when the spotlight is on the Budget Treasury can promise the earth knowing that it can make the cuts later when nobody is watching—good politics probably but hardly good leadership. 
These estimates can take into account policy shifts and reality checks and they can even be used to respond to extraordinary actions of the moment such as the tragic and preventable deaths of the twins over the weekend. As usual talkback radio has been freely accusing all and sundry over the epidemic of child abuse and murder—who did it and who is responsible for stopping it. 
Knowing that I would be speaking to this bill today I decided to have a look at the supplementary estimates for Child Youth and Family Services. What did I find? Well it would seem that the State has been so successful in putting an end to child abuse and promoting the well-being of children young people and their families that the supplementary estimates show funding has actually been cut. For example funding was withdrawn from the “Prevention Services” output because of—members should get this—“Changes in Departmental structure in response to the first principles baseline review.” whatever that means. In another output ”Family Wellbeing Services” we see a further $1.5 million slash from services to improve the life outcomes for children young people and their families through programmes to prevent future harm and abuse. 
These cuts are being made while the statistics are telling us that in the 10 years from 1990 to 2000 86 children were killed—34 Pakeha 42 Maori 2 Indian 3 Asian 3 Pacific and 2 others. The nation is reeling from the double tragedy over the weekend and we are all struggling to find the answers. An unfortunate by-product of that debate of course is the rehashing of the names of other children whose deaths have also become burnt into our souls. 
It is also inevitable that the names of Maori children who have been senselessly and sometimes brutally killed rise quickly in the public memory. New Zealanders are quick to ask what Maori are doing to stop this trail of despicable murders while somehow not being able to remember even one of the names of the many non-Maori kids killed during the same time. But I do not dodge the question about Maori deaths because as a past chairman of a kohanga reo and current chairman of a kura kaupapa Maori it is a question that is very very close to my own heart. 
There is much that is being done and I am happy to acknowledge the work being done by iwi in my own home electorate as part of a joint project known as Amokura—involving the iwi authorities of Ngapuhi Aupouri Ngati Kahu Whaingaroa Te Rarawa and Ngati Wai. They made a strong statement to encourage and promote a culture of non-violence. They have not done it by just trying to lecture people either. Last year their contribution to the Amokura project Te Runanga Whaingaroa launched a waka tete to symbolise the value of women and to recognise in a special way mana wahine mana tane and mana tangata. Although the construction of the waka was overseen by internationally renowned carver and navigator Hekenukumai Busby women were also called in to help with the carving. The waka  
Uerangi 
 projects the sense of unity between men and women and the sanctity of the children born by us all. 
Another Amokura project was the launching of a series “Step Back” concerts to promote non-violence and the production of a series of radio stings such as “Raising a hand don’t make you a man” asking people to step back and think before their rage takes over. Initiatives such as these are not just happening up north. Next week Kahungunu launches its own violence–free strategy and action plan to help its iwi reject violence because it wants its actions to be based on meaningful and productive tikanga and kaupapa rather than simply adopt Government’s family violence prevention strategy which is not kaupapa based. 
We need more of these initiatives not less. We need all citizens of Aotearoa to step back and think and to make the changes necessary to stop us from lashing out. Last summer more than 6000 kids suffered from family violence and for those 6000 last summer will be a holiday they will never forget. We must stop the blame step back and think for a bit and then step forward together with answers and resources. Yes there is much that is being done but equally yes there is much more that can be done. We challenge this Government to invest in positive action and flourishing communities rather than take money away from those who desperately need it most. Kia ora tatou.