Capacity building boost for Maori Affairs

15 June 2000

Maori Affairs Minister Dover Samuels today welcomed the budget commitment to assist Te Puni Kokiri towards capacity building.

"Capacity building focuses on enhancing capabilities so Maori become the managers and controllers of their own development," Mr Samuels.

Te Puni Kokiri will receive increased capital funding of $200,000 in Year One. It will receive increased operating funding of $3.875 million in Year One; $2.350 million in Year Two; $1.3 million in Year Three and $1.1 million in Year Four and out-years.

The money will be used to undertake a capacity assessment programme within Maori communities.

Additional capital funding of $705,000 in Year One will allow the Ministry to work with Maori organisations to plan their own capacity building strategies. Increased operating funding of $2.95 million in Year One and $3.1 million in Year Two and out-years has also been allocated to this purpose. This money helps Maori organisations to complete a 'stock-take' to establish what sort of services and skills are needed and to prioritise them.

Te Puni Kokiri will also receive an extra $6 million in Year One; $6.5 million in Year Two, and $7.5 million in Year Three and out-years to build capacity in Maori communities.

"The Government considers whanuau, hapu, iwi and Maori generally have a unique part to play in realising Maori aspirations.

"Closing the gaps requires initiatives that come from the ground up, where communities respond to their own needs and preferences. Centralised, top-down delivery mechanisms will not produce the kinds of results the Government wants and Maori and seek," Mr Samuels said.