4. GERRY BROWNLEE (Deputy Leader—National) Link to this
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 Māori poverty”?
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA (Minister of Māori Affairs) Link to this
Yes, I stand by my statement that this Government has achieved great things.
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 Māori poverty, when the recent Ministry of Social Development report showed that the percentage of Māori experiencing severe hardship has increased 150 percent—more than one in six—on his watch?
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA Link to this
Several reports show that Māori 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 Māori families that are eligible for assistance.
Dave HereoraHon PAREKURA HOROMIA Link to this
It is a concern that Māori are overrepresented in beneficiary numbers. However, Māori unemployment benefit numbers fell from 41,500 in June 1999 to 13,500 in June 2006. That is the lowest level for 20 years, and it is only one of several positive indicators that are happening for Māori under this Government’s watch.
Tariana TuriaWhy did the Decades of Disparity study show that socio-economic factors account for only half of the widening gap in death rates between Māori and non-Māori during the 1980s and 1990s, and what does this Minister think accounts for the other 50 percent of the widening gap?
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA Link to this
The decade of disparity is well over for Māori. 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 Māori participation in tertiary education, and a hang of a lot more.
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 Māori people.
Madam SPEAKERThe Minister did generally address the question. If he wishes to add anything further to his answer, he may do so.
What contribution has the Minister made to the Labour Government’s polices that have seen the proportion of Māori 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 Link to this
I have contributed heaps in relation to the benefits to Māori. I remind the member that in 1993 the proportion of Māori 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 GoffCan 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, Māori have achieved higher increases in median hourly rates than any other ethnic group—both signs that Māori are doing better because of the policy that this Minister has supported?
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA Link to this
Most certainly, and I can add that Māori are going into employment four to five times quicker than Pākehā are.
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 Māori in the severe hardship category increased from 7 to 17 percent, and why do Māori incomes still trail non-Māori incomes by over $7,000 a year?
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA Link to this
The majority of Māori 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!
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 Māori; 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 Link to this
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 Māori ministry to get out there amongst our people, and I have asked the Māori ministry to do it more often, like its Minister does—travel these roads to see all the good things happening for Māoridom.