Mahuta Nanaia: General Debate 
Mahuta Nanaia: General Debate 
[Volume:630;Page:2078] 
Hon NANAIA MAHUTA (Minister of Customs) 
: 
 The Government has spent this whole general debate outlining what its policies are but not one member of the Opposition or the previous speaker said anything about what they would do. There was not one policy from members of the Opposition. I gladly pick up the challenge of the previous speaker to outline what this Government’s position is. It is going forward. More important it is going forward together. “Eharatakutoa he toatakitini; he toataki tahi he toatakitini—my strength is not that of one who stands alone but of one who stands with many.” 
Maori are now reflecting their Maori selves in a more vibrant creative and innovative way and this Labour-led Government wants to support that energy and that trend. We are serious about that because we know we have a good story to tell. Maori are moving forward into new territory and in part the Working for Families initiative helps to support that direction by supporting families into work and by investing in a skilled workforce. We need that. In fact in the Hui Taumata it was said by Rob McLeod one of the members there that by investing in the human capital of Maori we will do much to elevate opportunity for Maori going into the next generation. 
So I pick up the challenge and reiterate that this Labour-led Government contributes to a vision for this country of going forward together—all of us together. We are not leaving people behind. That is why the Working for Families package is so important. Across New Zealand 350000 families will benefit from the Working for Families package. We want to support families young and old. We know that on 1 April there will be many good stories to tell and the announcements will be good for families good for whanau. 
The whole emphasis of the Working for Families package is to support people by giving them a hand up not a handout. It will help to build a skilled workforce. It will help more people into employment by recognising that it is important to support families where it matters most. How? The Working for Families package will help by providing support for accommodation costs childcare costs and in-work payments. Members can go to any case managers who help people move off the benefit into work and they will tell them that the Working for Families package helps people into meaningful employment—long-term employment. In fact it helps people who never thought they would ever get off the benefit. I know that the previous speaker knows that more than most. I know she knows that; I know she agrees with this Government; and I know she knows that the Working for Families package will help people to get off the benefit and into long-term meaningful employment. 
How do I know that? Going into communities where it really matters we hear stories every day about people from real communities and real families who say: “This package actually helps me to see a future not only for myself but for my children. It helps to provide a direction that says they don’t have to be on the benefit. In fact they can make a meaningful contribution to this society and their community.” That is an important thing. The Working for Families package will help real families in real communities make a difference not only in their lives but in the lives of their communities. 
Maori in New Zealand are in a good position to some extent. The New Zealand unemployment rate is the lowest in the OECD. The Maori unemployment rate stands at about 7.6 percent—the lowest in 28 years. If that is not a good story then I do not know what is. The Opposition did not proffer any policy that would help to support people who have been on the unemployment benefit to get back into work. The announcements on 1 April about the Working for Families package will do much to support many families to get back into work. It will help real families in real communities to change and make a difference in their lives and in the lives of their families to get ahead. It is a hand up not a handout. 
I want also to talk in brief about the numbers of people in tertiary education because again 1 April signals quite a significant change in terms of students and one that is welcomed—interest-free student loans for all those students and graduates in New Zealand. It is great; we hear a number of students saying they want to celebrate that on 31 March.