Development aid sought

Press, 5 July 1983, Page 33

Development aid sought

PA Whangarei The New Zealand Maori Council’s chairman, Sir Graham Latimer, has called on the Government to provide $3O million for development of Maori resources in Northland. He was speaking at a hui of the Tai Tokerau District Maori Council, which he also chairs, near Kaikohe. About 250 people attended, including senior officers from the head offices of several Government departments sent in response to a request from the Prime Minister, Mr Muldoon.

Dame Whina Cooper told the gathering that $5 million should be provided by the Government for Tai Tokerau development projects, and handed directly to grass-roots organisations. Sir Graham said $5

million would be insufficient, and that a $3O million grant would only get them on the road.

The Maori people had considerable assets in their land but no authority to borrow on it. A concerted effort was needed “from Wellington” to help them to become economically independent, and to provide for the needs in employment and education. Sir Graham said he had told Mr Muldoon that New Zealand would not stand up to scrutiny in the fields of employment, education, and housing while 50 per cent of Maori people were lacking in those areas. The stability of Maori cultural heritage was threatened and Maori people needed to come to grips with their destiny, he said.