Katene Rahui: Debate on Budget Policy Statement 
Katene Rahui: Debate on Budget Policy Statement 
[Volume:670;Page:17061] 
RAHUI KATENE (Maori Party—Te Tai Tonga) 
: 
 When the Finance and Expenditure Committee met on 9 February this year the impact of last year’s Canterbury earthquake weighed heavily on all our minds. Discussion with the Minister of Finance included some of the immediate impacts of the quake—for example the need for support for small businesses the inevitable increases in unemployment the cost to the Crown of some $1.5 billion to cover the net costs of the Earthquake Commission and the consequences of $5 billion worth of damage and the associated reduction in economic activity. 
As dire as these impacts are nothing prepared us for the profound cost to the nation that would accrue from the events of 22 February. I stand here today painfully aware that when the committee had its second meeting on the Budget Policy Statement my colleagues from Canterbury and I were immersed in the most catastrophic tragedy of our time a tragedy that will cost us dearly. Best-guess assumptions from Treasury indicate that the total cost of both Canterbury earthquakes will be $15 billion. 
There is no question that we have to factor in the combined effects of these natural disasters on the Government’s finances and the wider New Zealand economy for many years ahead. The Government’s balance sheet plays an important role in the economy including the drive to maintain low overall costs of capital-raising by improving New Zealand’s credit rating and by providing financial flexibility to support the economy in times of distress such as post-earthquake times. We all know and accept that the Government will have to pay for the rebuilding of Christchurch by short-term loans and also giving priority to Otautahi over some other Government spending. 
Some very interesting statements made in the 2010 Investment Statement have particular bearing at this time. Basically the Investment Statement suggests that the Government’s balance sheet can be better managed. It issues some direct challenges to the Government to rebuild its balance sheet as a buffer against future adverse events. It suggests that we must systematically work to reduce the Government’s risk by strengthening the economy and it calls for an approach to sharpen incentives on Government agencies to use existing money well. 
I was heartened by the Minister of Finance’s statement last weekend about committing to an approach that he described as protecting the most vulnerable. He added: “Any spending changes we make will ensure that continues.” That is music to the ears of the Maori Party. The Maori Party entered into a coalition agreement with National with the following commitment: “The Maori Party seeks significant outcomes in whanau ora through eliminating poverty advocating for social justice and advancing Maori social cultural economic and community development in the best interests of the nation.” Those words are as vital now as they have ever been. 
These post-earthquake times have given me an insight into the communities that we might describe as being the most vulnerable and that I will never forget. Over the last fortnight I have walked the streets of Wainoni New Brighton Aranui Bexley and Dallington. Those communities were already vulnerable from low incomes high unemployment and a range of other social and health needs but it has been devastating to see how unprepared so many of our people were for an emergency of such proportions. 
Over the weekend Maori wardens reported to me that as they went door to door they came across a woman who was dehydrated and in 2 weeks had not been visited once. People in the eastern suburbs have had the additional pressure of shops being closed access routes being blocked a lack of petrol and the basic absence of sanitation and water facilities. Some people are getting food grants but have been denied petrol vouchers. Consequently they lack the means to travel across town to get basic supplies for their families. 
We really need to teach our people to look beyond today and to prepare for tomorrow. One of the key issues arising from this crisis has been the need for greater efforts to occur to ensure that our families are self-determining and self-managing. This is where it comes back to the notion outlined in the Investment Statement of getting better value for money through the services provided by the State. This is also where the Maori Party’s leadership with Whanau Ora has been so critical. We believe that one of the fundamental revolutions of our time has been the mobilisation of whanau through investing in whanau to build their capability rather than resorting to dependence on service. 
One of the greatest success stories of our term has been the roll-out of some 25 provider collectives with 158 providers across 10 regions building whanau resilience and independence. I want our mokopuna in our future to benefit from having whanau who are self-managing living healthy lifestyles and participating fully in society. Anyone can rant and rave about what is not being done but the greatest outcomes come from those who actually get up and do. That is why we are so proud of the momentum achieved through Whanau Ora. I have been so pleased over the last 2 weeks to see Whanau Ora in action in Christchurch with Ngai Tahu matawaka and the Maori providers working with Government agencies to support the most vulnerable in our communities. 
Having said that I will return to the Minister of Finance’s words about protecting the most vulnerable. Earlier today the Child Poverty Action Group issued a release drawing attention to research from the University of Auckland demonstrating that many low-income families are unable to afford even a basic nutritious diet for their children. The group called on the Government to help all families better afford nutritious food by extending the in-work tax credit to all low-income families. It is a call the Maori Party supports. 
I did all I could to encourage the Government to consider the elimination of poverty as one goal that could be progressed through my member’s bill to address rising food prices by removing goods and services tax from healthy food as defined by the Ministry of Health. But that is not all we are doing in our determination to make our nation great again by investing in ourselves. The Maori Party is about investing in opportunity and in the optimism all families need to experience in order to be the best they can be. 
On other fronts we have actively campaigned against so-called loan sharks to protect our most vulnerable from paying excessive interest rates. My colleague Te Ururoa Flavell currently has a bill on the Order Paper that focuses on gambling harm reduction the purpose being to provide local communities with more power to determine where pokie machines may be sited and how the proceeds can be distributed. We will continue to apply concentrated efforts to our campaign to lift the minimum wage to at least $15 an hour in our absolute belief that raising low incomes will improve the country’s economic performance while at the same time supporting families. We will as always maintain the vigilance that is needed for any MP worth their salt to be in the House to monitor the policies that are debated to place pressure where pressure is due and above all to come up with ideas worth investing in. 
Protecting the most vulnerable—whether they are families post-earthquake or low-income families struggling to make do—must be the mantra for all of us to apply to every issue debated in Parliament. This is the time for collective responsibility for shouldering the responsibilities of working together to absorb the worst effects of the recession over the past 2 years and for rebuilding and restoring. We must make the best of the lessons we have learnt over this last difficult year and commit to an approach that places priority on environmentally friendly sustainable development on working together to create our communities and on strengthening all our families in order to build our future together.