Maori welfare needs

Press, 24 January 1986, Page 3

Maori welfare needs

Greater independence for Maori people within the social welfare system was proposed in submissions to a committee hearing on Maori needs in Christchurch yesterday. One submission called for a marae-based whanau (family) system to provide care and work for young people who would otherwise receive existing welfare benefits. The young Maori would be better served by such a scheme instead of the present system which many found discriminated against them, the submission said.

A Maori perspective advisory committee is in Christchurch to hear submissions on the faults of

the department and how it could improve services to Maori clients.

More independence and alternatives for the Maori within the welfare system were common calls in most of the seven submissions.

Confusing criteria for benefit eligibility and long waits faced by applicants in department offices were criticised also.

The need to be given greater opportunity and encouragement to get away from "street kid" status was the subject of one submission.

The deputy chairman of the State Services Commission and spokesman for the committee, Mr Peter Boag, said he ex-

pected some action as a result of submissions heard in Christchurch and elsewhere.

“We can’t afford not to see change and I do not think that as a community we can exist much longer without it,” he said.

The committee wll present a report in May to the Minister of Social Welfare, Mrs Hercus, which will include a review of the department’s work and suggested improvements.

The committee will hear further submissions at a hui tomorrow at the Rehua Marae in Springfield Road and another hui on Sunday at Te Rangimarie Centre in Gloucester Street.