Paraone Pita: Estimates Debate — In Committee 
Paraone Pita: Estimates Debate — In Committee 
[Volume:640;Page:10446] 
PITA PARAONE (NZ First) 
: 
Tena koe Mr Chairman. It is a great pleasure to follow that last speaker. It just highlights the fact that the Ministry of Maori Development is seen as the panacea a cure-all for all things happening in Maoridom. In spite of the efforts of our Minister I have some criticisms and I will certainly cover those in my speech. The previous speaker spoke about diabetes being a real health issue within Maoridom. I find it very ironic that this evening a Mr Buddy Mikaere on behalf of a diabetes organisation he is involved in called a meeting to discuss the different things that his organisation was doing in terms of trying to face the problem of diabetes amongst Maori and he had to cancel it. Why? Because there was a lack of interest in terms of attending that function. I have to say that we should not blame the Ministry of Maori Affairs or the Minister. We have to point the finger at ourselves. But I ought to say that I did accept the invitation but I was advised that it had been cancelled. 
I want to address the issue of funding for Maori wardens. We all know they are a fine body of men and women who are committed to looking after their communities. This year in the Budget $2.5 million was allocated to assist with Maori wardens. I have a question. The money certainly was not new money because the Minister advised us that it was fiscally neutral. Then where did the money come from? Which programme was put aside to which that original funding was allocated? Who will be responsible for this funding? Again we in New Zealand First are certainly interested in how that funding is to be administered because if the funding is to go to the organisation responsible for the appointment of Maori wardens then we would have some real concerns about that. 
We are also concerned as to how this funding will be distributed. Who will determine how it will be distributed? We do not want to see a step back to the old way that things used to be. We expect that as this is a new initiative there will be new approaches as to how that funding will be distributed. I know that a former colleague of mine—he is probably listening tonight—Mr Edwin Perry a fine man from the Wairarapa is involved with the Maori wardens in the Wairarapa and I might add he is responsible for the initiative New Zealand First took in terms of approaching the Labour Government for funding for this initiative. He is wondering whether he and his group will be part of those Maori wardens considered for the first round of distribution. If not then we will certainly ask why. 
Again we want to say that although we applaud the Minister for getting this funding for Maori wardens the proof of the pudding will be as to how that funding is distributed and how it is utilised for the betterment of not only the wardens but the communities in which they operate. 
The second point I want to make is that it has been almost 3 years since Hui Taumata 2005. I find it quite strange that 2 years down the track we are funding a group to the tune of $1 million to ensure that the decisions made at Hui Taumata 2005 will be carried out. It is intended that that same level of funding will be available to what is known as the Hui Taumata group to continue in their work to 2009. It is hoped that sometime in the future they will be an independent group. But I have to ask whether that should not be the responsibility of the Ministry of Maori Development. Should it be the responsibility of this particular group to the tune of $1 million? I would think that that could be regarded as the ministry abrogating its responsibilities. 
I will look at the issues that came out of Hui Taumata 2005. There is “he tangata he tangata”: skill development and building Maori capability; “he ao tupurawa”: building an enterprise culture; “te paetawhiti”: providing high-quality strategic information; “he tiraparaoa”: creating excellence in leadership and governance; “tapui hei whakatupu”: increasing the utilisation and development of our collectively owned assets; and “mataurangaMaori”. 
These are programmes and issues for which the responsibility I believe should lie with the ministry rather than being contracted out to a group outside the ministry and to the tune of $1 million per year. So I have asked myself what the kaupapa of this group is. How long does it have to do what the ministry or the Minister expects it to do? Why can the Ministry of Maori Development not do this? Is it beyond the capacity of the present staff and their management to carry out this role? I know that these are serious questions to ask of the Minister given that I used to work for that ministry and I think I spent a bit of time working for the Minister. But at the end of the day I think it is fair to ask these questions of the Minister. I ask him to take a call and explain to us just exactly what is expected of this group. Kia ora.