“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
8 comments:
And add to your Financial figures on "Monies" spent, being spent or to "loaned" for further spending - that at Ratana, 2026, the Hon. Shane Jones accompanied by his "leader" The Hon. Winston Peters did announce -" that 10 mil" was to "donated to Maoridom (with much NZ MSM publicity on said statement) for other unpublished expenditure.
Pee Kay would you also "note" that the then Mayor of Hastings District Council (since retired), 'donated' to - The Kahungunu People of Hawke's Bay
NZ$500,000.oo to "compensate for hurty feelings after what Craggy Range Wineries, Havelock North did to the side of Te Mata Peak, land (a walkway) on land owned by them - which was Consented by said Council, but suddenly became "sacred" turf to said Tribal entity, to the point of having the local Mongrel Mob go to the summit to "demonstrate the reclamation of sacred land".
The interesting point of conversations, in HB following this was - "Citizens of HB, could not recall Te Mata Peak ever being a "stated" Maori site.
Like the African National Congress (ANC) who quietly looked for loopholes in the (then) White Man Society, then used those loopholes to undermine the Govt of South Africa and we now know what the result became.
Here in NZ, there has been many comments of Maoridom doing the same thing but being more successful, as the White Man does not want to respond, least they be "deemed racist".
Interestingly the same attitude is happening in the UK, with the ever increasing Muslim population, curtsey of the continued mass migration (From France - for which monies have been given to France to curtail such activity - yer right) and as they find "loopholes" they exploit them.
Is it worth contacting those who are deaf?
Many churches helped out following Gabrielle with food accommodation and help. I bet they haven't received any funding
Maori are high on bad welfare and prison stats.
The answer to this is in education and building ethics not propping up marae with money . If these places encouraged two parent homes ,did something about the drinking and drug consumption , violence in homes that killed babies , encouraged higher academic standards , a work ethic, discipline and improved nutritional levels then they could be supported . Just encouraging Maori culture is mot helping the bad Maori stats. Handouts is basically a Marxist idea , which will do nothing to improve anything except promote the grievance industry and victimization mentality.
Giving out some food and shelter to flood victims is nice but not addressing the real issues .
ENOUGH - yes !!!!
We all know full well that this is just another pee take by Maori.
Money "donated " by the taxpayer to a private racist organizations - oh yes they are, as you have to have the right tribal affiliation and ethnicity to be involved.
Money given in good faith, however never audited or checked for unreasonable spending.
Of course, the marae leaders will all need new utes to enable the renovations to be done, probably some new trailers as well.
Considered to be personal property afterwards.
Given a few years they will have their hands out yet again to refurbish their / our assets as they have failed to maintain them properly.
A ludicrous waste of our money when Maori can afford to do this with the billions of Maori corporation money.
These marae should be the same and no better than pre 1840 marae.
A summary of all the handouts to Insurrection Coordination Centres (marae) over the last 10 or so years would be of great interest. No other circle of social clubs benefits.similar. How did so many come to be in vulnerable places? Did a govt place them there or was it tradition? How would have flood devastation be handled under tikanga alone? The useage conditons of these relocated marae would also be of interest . Does the right to establish a housing community go with? His great willingness to spend in this direction another giant question mark over Jones.
If we ever get a govt willing to face up to maori, what prevents maori closing marae doors in emergency as utu?
And what about the $22 BILLION going in the extension of the holiday road past Warkworth? It’s a thousand times more expensive and has the worst return on investment you’ve ever seen. Winston has no idea what he’s doing. $27 million for repairs of community spaces that are used by regular kiwis is towards the upper end but at least there is a purpose.
A government that gives billions of taxpayer money to landlords is obviously not fiscally responsible. Why the outrage in this article?
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