“Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka said the Government had on Thursday approved $11.54m for Petāne Marae and $16.06m for Tāngoio Marae to relocate and rebuild, through the Whenua Māori and Marae Pathway.”
WHY?
WHY?
“Marae play a vital role in supporting whānau and communities, particularly during emergencies,” Potaka said.
Aahh!
“Marae are a key part of how communities respond during emergencies. Relocating and rebuilding these marae will strengthen resilience across Hawke’s Bay.”
Justification or simply political BS?
Are marae the only group who step up in times of natural disasters? How many other community organisations who mucked in post Cyclone Gabrielle would love to be afforded such selective government largess!
“As part of the Whenua Māori and Marae Pathway (WMMP) process, trustees for both marae entered into a Relationship and Funding Agreement with the Government and National Infrastructure Funding and Financing (NIFF) to relocate and rebuild the marae.”
“The WMMP is jointly overseen by the Ministers of Finance, Emergency Management and Recovery, Māori Development and Māori Crown Relations.”
Mmmm?
Under the Whenua Māori and Marae Pathway a separate $7 million investment was also announced for 16 marae-based projects, including upgrading 54 marae for energy, water, and flood resilience.
Earlier, funding was used to support a Northland marae water system, a sea wall on Matakana Island, and solar/water storage in Te Tauihu.
Te Tauihu is the area that actually encompasses the regions of Nelson, Tasman, and Marlborough.
A further $1 million “Marae Emergency Response Fund” was added to the Māori Development Fund in January 2026 to allow government to reimburse marae for providing community welfare.
Is this not “ethnic charity” wrapped up in politicised wording to disguise what is actually happening? PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT!
As marae are considered private property, surely the question must be asked as to why Ngāti Kahungunu is not funding these costs directly. Do they not insure their property?
The Kahungunu Asset Holding Company has demonstrated significant financial growth, increasing its 2007 fisheries settlement of $31 million to over $100 million by 2016.
With a recently reported surplus of $9 million for the 2023–2024 financial year, the capacity for their own investment is obvious? Clearly, they have the resources to support their own people!
Luxon campaigned on eliminating “wasteful spending”. While this specific funding may not technically fit that strict definition, many would argue its justification. Given this precedent, how long before this benevolence prompts other to marae submit similar claims?
More importantly, when will we address the need for Māori entities to contribute their fair share to the country’s infrastructure and services?
And, when will the fiscal responsibilities of Māori organisations be brought in line with their growing influence in our national economy?
It is also noteworthy that in October 2020, immediately before an election, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones and Māori Development Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced that nearly $100 million was being invested to upgrade 351 marae nationwide.
Am I just an old coot howling at the moon on this issue of ethnic favouritism? Or do I make a fair point?
Give me some feedback.
If you feel as frustrated as I do, make your displeasure known, constructively, to the enablers –
christopher.luxon@ministers.govt.nz
David.Seymour@ministers.govt.nz
tama.potaka@parliament.govt.nz
Winston.Peters@ministers.govt.nz
With an election approaching, it is the perfect time to make your voice heard. Politicians are always more attentive to the concerns of constituents when they are seeking your vote!
Post this article on Facebook and X also!
It is time to say ENOUGH!
Pee Kay writes he is from a generation where common sense, standards, integrity and honesty are fundamental attributes. This article was first published HERE
Aahh!
“Marae are a key part of how communities respond during emergencies. Relocating and rebuilding these marae will strengthen resilience across Hawke’s Bay.”
Justification or simply political BS?
Are marae the only group who step up in times of natural disasters? How many other community organisations who mucked in post Cyclone Gabrielle would love to be afforded such selective government largess!
“As part of the Whenua Māori and Marae Pathway (WMMP) process, trustees for both marae entered into a Relationship and Funding Agreement with the Government and National Infrastructure Funding and Financing (NIFF) to relocate and rebuild the marae.”
“The WMMP is jointly overseen by the Ministers of Finance, Emergency Management and Recovery, Māori Development and Māori Crown Relations.”
Mmmm?
Under the Whenua Māori and Marae Pathway a separate $7 million investment was also announced for 16 marae-based projects, including upgrading 54 marae for energy, water, and flood resilience.
Earlier, funding was used to support a Northland marae water system, a sea wall on Matakana Island, and solar/water storage in Te Tauihu.
Te Tauihu is the area that actually encompasses the regions of Nelson, Tasman, and Marlborough.
A further $1 million “Marae Emergency Response Fund” was added to the Māori Development Fund in January 2026 to allow government to reimburse marae for providing community welfare.
Is this not “ethnic charity” wrapped up in politicised wording to disguise what is actually happening? PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT!
As marae are considered private property, surely the question must be asked as to why Ngāti Kahungunu is not funding these costs directly. Do they not insure their property?
The Kahungunu Asset Holding Company has demonstrated significant financial growth, increasing its 2007 fisheries settlement of $31 million to over $100 million by 2016.
With a recently reported surplus of $9 million for the 2023–2024 financial year, the capacity for their own investment is obvious? Clearly, they have the resources to support their own people!
Luxon campaigned on eliminating “wasteful spending”. While this specific funding may not technically fit that strict definition, many would argue its justification. Given this precedent, how long before this benevolence prompts other to marae submit similar claims?
More importantly, when will we address the need for Māori entities to contribute their fair share to the country’s infrastructure and services?
And, when will the fiscal responsibilities of Māori organisations be brought in line with their growing influence in our national economy?
It is also noteworthy that in October 2020, immediately before an election, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones and Māori Development Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced that nearly $100 million was being invested to upgrade 351 marae nationwide.
Am I just an old coot howling at the moon on this issue of ethnic favouritism? Or do I make a fair point?
Give me some feedback.
If you feel as frustrated as I do, make your displeasure known, constructively, to the enablers –
christopher.luxon@ministers.govt.nz
David.Seymour@ministers.govt.nz
tama.potaka@parliament.govt.nz
Winston.Peters@ministers.govt.nz
With an election approaching, it is the perfect time to make your voice heard. Politicians are always more attentive to the concerns of constituents when they are seeking your vote!
Post this article on Facebook and X also!
It is time to say ENOUGH!
Pee Kay writes he is from a generation where common sense, standards, integrity and honesty are fundamental attributes. This article was first published HERE
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