Brownlee Gerry: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Brownlee Gerry: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:632;Page:4111] 
4.  
GERRY BROWNLEE (Deputy Leader—National) 
 to the  
Minister of Maori Affairs 
: Does he stand by his statement in the House on 25 May 2006 that “this Government has achieved great things like a 70 percent decline in poverty—30 percent of that being Maori poverty”? 
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA (Minister of Maori Affairs) 
: 
 Yes I stand by my statement that this Government has achieved great things. 
Gerry Brownlee 
: What reports was he referring to when he told the House on 25 May that this Government has achieved great things like a 30 percent decline in Maori poverty when the recent Ministry of Social Development report showed that the percentage of Maori experiencing severe hardship has increased 150 percent—more than one in six—on his watch? 
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA 
: Several reports show that Maori have progressed quite dramatically in the last 6 years. The Government having introduced the Working for Families package I am advised by the Ministry of Social Development that there will be a 70 percent reduction in poverty levels of households with children and low income thresholds. I am also advised by the ministry that there will be significant benefits for those Maori families that are eligible for assistance. 
Dave Hereora 
: Is he concerned about the number of Maori on the unemployment benefit? 
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA 
: It is a concern that Maori are overrepresented in beneficiary numbers. However Maori unemployment benefit numbers fell from 41500 in June 1999 to 13500 in June 2006. That is the lowest level for 20 years and it is only one of several positive indicators that are happening for Maori under this Government’s watch. 
Tariana Turia 
: Why did the  
Decades of Disparity 
 study show that socio-economic factors account for only half of the widening gap in death rates between Maori and non-Maori during the 1980s and 1990s and what does this Minister think accounts for the other 50 percent of the widening gap? 
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA 
: The decade of disparity is well over for Maori. Certainly there are issues that have to be broached but life expectancy has increased suicide rates have fallen participation in early childhood education has increased the number of students leaving school with higher qualifications has increased there have been sharp increases in Maori participation in tertiary education and a hang of a lot more. 
Tariana Turia 
: I raise a point of order Madam Speaker. With respect I do not believe that the Minister answered my question. A recent report that has come out states that socio-economic factors account for only 50 percent of the disparity. I would like the Minister to tell me what has caused the other 50 percent—what has created this situation for Maori people. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: The Minister did generally address the question. If he wishes to add anything further to his answer he may do so. 
Gerry Brownlee 
: What contribution has the Minister made to the Labour Government’s polices that have seen the proportion of Maori suffering severe hardship—defined as going without basics such as decent shoes home heating and fresh fruit and vegetables—more than double from 7 to 17 percent while he has been the Minister and can he confirm that none of those people will be eligible for Working for Families? 
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA 
: I have contributed heaps in relation to the benefits to Maori. I remind the member that in 1993 the proportion of Maori families with low incomes was 42 percent; it had fallen to 24 percent in the year 2004. That is about a lot more kids with shoes a lot more parents with better education and a lot more people getting into their own houses for the first time. 
Hon Phil Goff 
: Can the Minister confirm that during his time as Minister not only has unemployment fallen as he said to the lowest level in 20 years but also according to income statistics Maori have achieved higher increases in median hourly rates than any other ethnic group—both signs that Maori are doing better because of the policy that this Minister has supported? 
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA 
: Most certainly and I can add that Maori are going into employment four to five times quicker than Pakeha are. 
Gerry Brownlee 
: If everything is so wonderful under his ministry why after $930 million worth of spending on the closing the gaps programme has the percentage of Maori in the severe hardship category increased from 7 to 17 percent and why do Maori incomes still trail non-Maori incomes by over $7000 a year? 
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA 
: The majority of Maori do not perceive severe hardship as that member perceives it or as some reports do. I also tell the member that his leader noted the improvement. He said: “That adaptability and resourcefulness that openness to opportunity that entrepreneurial spirit is something that survived the trauma of colonisation and is today reflected in a Maori renaissance across a wide range of business cultural and sporting activity.” Thank you for that supposed leader’s statement! 
Gerry Brownlee 
: If the failure of the $930 million closing the gaps programme is not real why did he feel compelled last week to tell his department to stop writing reports and to get out in the field and start doing some work to lift Maori; and why has it taken him 7 years to wake up and realise that it needs to be doing more than it is? 
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA 
: That member needs to watch this Government over the next 7 years when he will see the fruits of all that effort. That I may not be as boisterous as the member in pushing my own figures is another issue. I did tell the Maori ministry to get out there amongst our people and I have asked the Maori ministry to do it more often like its Minister does—travel these roads to see all the good things happening for Maoridom.