7. Question No. 7—Housing (Māori Housing)PAUL EAGLE (Labour—Rongotai) to the Associate Minister of Housing (Māori Housing)Question No. 7—Housing (Māori Housing)7. PAUL EAGLE (Labour—Rongotai) to the Associate Minister of Housing (Māori Housing): What is the Government doing to create a partnership with Māori to get more whānau into warm dry and secure housing? Hon NANAIA MAHUTA (Associate Minister of Housing (Māori Housing)): Talofa lava. As part of the recent Budget the Government's investing $40 million to support housing partnership opportunities. We've established the Māori and Iwi Housing Innovation (MAIHI) a framework for action which applies an implementation focus to improve Māori housing outcomes across the spectrum of need and aspiration from homelessness to homeownership. MAIHI also drives the Government's ambition to provide tailored housing solutions create training and employment opportunities in regional areas and drive our economic recovery. In addition to this framework it recognises the multiple benefits of building financial capability of whānau and their governance capability if they want to return to their whenua to build. By adopting a partnership approach towards achieving better housing outcomes for Māori the Government is able to work constructively with iwi and Māori organisations towards common goals and aspirations in our recovery plans post-COVID. Paul Eagle: Kia ora. How has the Government partnered with others to support those facing insecure accommodation and homelessness? Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: A fantastic question because we've acted with urgency. For many whānau sleeping rough—Chris Bishop: The member wrote it for him—of course it was fantastic. SPEAKER: Order! Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: The Opposition may not want to hear—SPEAKER: Order! The member will resume her seat and Mr Bishop will ensure his interjections are in order. I give him an absolute assurance: I would never draft a question like that. Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: On the issues of homelessness we have acted with urgency. For many whānau sleeping rough in overcrowded accommodation settings or living in insecure housing situations which has been a reality for too long we have been serious about tackling this challenge. That's why the Prime Minister has released the Homelessness Action Plan which ensured that we could get on the road quickly during the lockdown period to work with partner agencies community and Māori housing providers to find accommodation and support those who need it most. Paul Eagle: Has the COVID approach to homelessness been a one-size-fits-all approach? Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: No it has not. The Government has worked alongside communities to respond to need and what is available within the context of their communities. So that means we have to take a different approach. Take for example in Northland. As an immediate response we worked closely with the community and the providers there—in particular the Māori collective Te Kahu o Taonui—to find solutions to house and support homeless whānau and those affected by overcrowding. This led to the deployment of 60 campervans in the Far North as a transitional temporary measure so that whānau were able to have warm safe places and social distancing and be supported by providers around the next critical steps to secure accommodation.