A blueprint for the future of the Maori people

Tu Tangata, Issue 21, 1 December 1984, Page 4

A blueprint for the future of the Maori people

The recent Hui Taumata at Parliament bringing together hundreds of Maori people to look at Maori economic development has defined a blueprint for the future of the Maori people according to the Minister of Maori Affairs, Koro Wetere. Tu Tangata Magazine features the recommendations of that hui and the wairua that drew the people together to whakatakoto their take.

Maori people are not without ideas on how they can take their rightful place in New Zealand life. But those ideas are as varified as the tribal groupings themselves. This year’s Hui Taumata, called by the Labour government to sample Maori opinion, certainly heard many different ideas put forward, from advancing millions of government funds to rehabilitate the Maori prison population to a Maori marathon next September aimed at putting the ora back into the wai.

The key topic was economic development and predictably much of the eight minute addresses to the hui were either aimed at suggestions or recommendations where money could be used in new ways or else ways of freeing legislation to enable Maori authorities to use their land assets for commercial benefit of the people. In his summing up the Minister of Maori Affairs Koro Wetere said a task force would now be formed to look at the establishment of a Maori Economic Development Commission. This commission would consider the recommendations from the Hui Taumata and progressively work to implement them.

Koro Wetere said later at a press conference that the Maori people would be consulted in the Maori way, district by district and kept informed of developments. In his closing remarks, the Minister spoke of feeling buoyed up by the positive recommendations of the hui that were innovative, realistic proposals. “The development bank idea from Denese Henare, the community health initiator of the waiora project, the various suggestions to combat unemployment and create meaningful jobs for our people, the broadcasting initiatives of Merata Mita and Donna Awatere. “In addition we have had many papers from the various hui held around the country before this Hui Taumata, as well as papers from observers suggesting work cooperatives and a Maori economic development commission.

“We have generated ideas, unity and I give you a pledge as the Minister of Maori Affairs that I will not let the momentum of this Hui Taumata drift away.” However the Minister cautioned about thinking it was just the Government’s job to do something. “It is on each and every one of you when you go back to your marae, your trusts, incorporations, unions, health and women’s groups and youth groups to take up the initiatives and put them into action.... “Make the idle land productive, care nuture and listen to the young people.” Maori Economic Development Summit Conference: Hui Taumata In calling the Maori Economic Development Summit Conference the Minister of Maori Affairs set the following objectives: to examine the economic situation of New Zealand as it affects Maori people; to assess the economic strengths and weaknesses of Maori people in New Zealand;

to obtain a commitment from those attending the Conference; to support policy changes necessary to obtain socio-economic parity between Maori and non-Maori. The Conference endorses these objectives and pledges support to achieve them.

The Conference recognises that pursuit of these and the other objectives identified at the Conference need clear priorities, bold actions and appropriate resources to achieve them. The Current Situation: Maori economic development is in-ter-twined with the economic development of New Zealand. If there is no growth in the New Zealand economy, Maori standards of living in comparison with the non-Maori will slip even further behind. Consequently there is a fundamental and urgent requirement to devise policies which will ensure growth by the use of all possible resources. The consequence of delay and inaction will inevitably lead to racial violence. The Conference endorses clauses 17 and 18 of the Economic Summit Conference. Clause 17 provides for mechanisms to protect low income groups through a combination of wages, taxes and Government expenditure. Clause 18 identified the gap between Maori and pakeha and states that to deal with Maori unemployment

and self help, bold initiatives will be necessary. Conference recognises that Maori land must be fully utilised to maximise its productive capacity. Central to all economic development strategies is the need to equip the Maori people to direct and manage the development initiatives. The task at hand is to enhance the development of Maori resources, so that there is an improved quality of life for Maori families, which will be reflective in improved standards of living for all.

The Under Achievement Gap:

The gap between Maori and nonMaori people in educational and income attainment, has not been closing. Maori infant mortality, crime, morbidity and unemployment are at unacceptably high levels. They point to one conclusion: Maori people are in a state of severe stress. Policies to date have resulted in the Maori people becoming a deprived citizen in their own land. Innovative, realistic policies will be necessary to reduce the Maori underachievement gap. A development plan to achieve specific goals, within a clear time frame must be prepared. Conference endorses the Minister’s call of a Maori Renaissance and a development decade for our people. Conference supports the establishment of a Maori Economic Development Commission responsible to the Minister of Maori Affairs. The Commission’s task would be to liaise with Government, private sector and other authorities to implement the aspirations of Conference and to initiate economic development strategies. The Commission would also examine and recommend to Government the reallocation of funds from negative to positive areas to accelerate Maori economic development.

Development Agencies:

Conference endorses the establishment of the accord, between Government, Employers and Trade Unions, as a means of firstly establishing conditions to increase employment opportunities and as a means of providing long-term economic development policies.

The establishment of this accord represents a positive step towards coping with the many problems faced by workers and ensures that the collective voice of workers will be acknowledged.

Agencies such as the Development Finance Corporation Limited, the Small Business Agency and the Rural Bank of New Zealand, will need to support this thrust and accommodate in their programme finance for Maori land development as well as new and existing Maori development initiatives.

Other departments such as Trade and Industry, Internal Affairs, and the Housing Corporation, need to be aware of Maori economic and community aspirations and attitudes to commerce. They must be flexible enough to include and act on Maori initiatives.

Conference therefore considers the establishment of a formal link between Departments of State and the Maori Economic Development Commission to be a necessity which would act as an interface between key Government funding and Maori development.

Labour

Maori labour is largely semi or unskilled. Conference recognises the importance of the Trade Union movement in establishing minimum terms and conditions of employment. Without Trade Union protection and without increased Maori worker participation, Maori labour would be both fragile and frag-

mented and subject to even more stress. Conference is aware of concerns expressed about the effectiveness of Labour Department Job Creation Programmes. However, for those without permanent employment those schemes have provided a short-term employment option. Unemployed trends suggest that job creation and satisfaction must be viewed as an urgent and fundamental right. The wastage of Maori labour and productive resources is a criminal waste which cannot be tolerated. Meanwhile, Job Creation Programmes must be designed to cater for longer term needs and to meet Maori objectives on Maori terms. Tribal and regional groups are seen as one of the primary creative forces in initiating and managing work schemes which meet Maori needs. Maori youth unemployment is the most critical socio-econ-omic problem facing the country.

Maori Development Finance:

Maori land and people suffer from under development. The provision of programmes within State funding agencies to deal with this concern is important. Existing State agencies have not provided sufficient resources to enable a quantum leap in Maori economic development. Conference therefore recommends as a matter of urgency, a professional study of the needs, role and means of creating a Maori Development Bank. Government agencies including the Bank of New Zealand, the Reserve Bank, Treasury and the Development Finance Corporation should be available to assist.

Training and Job Opportunities:

Unemployment disproportionately affects young people and women. Without training and without change in employer attitudes the prospects of them obtaining permanent work is remote. The relative youthfulness of the Maori population (50% of the Maori population is aged 19 or less compared to 34% of the non-Maori population) places Maori youth in a vulnerable position. Maori women are particularly vulnerable because of racist and sexist attitudes. The Maori make up 35% of the unemployed nationally. In some areas the percentage is far higher. This provides a prescription for disaster. The establishment of new enterprises requires development capital and training. Most enterprises including new businesses, Trusts, Corporations, Cooperatives, etc., that are capable of development on a sound basis should be a priority economic strategy. Capital and training for those existing enterprises must therefore be available so the starting base is sound. There has been a major growth in the number of Maori organisations in-

eluding Maori Incorporations, Trust Boards, Trusts, Cooperatives, etc. They will have a central role in the future economic development of Maori resources. Conference therefore considers that a Maori Authorities Industry Training Board should be immediately established. These changes must occur in a climate where economic policies are consistent and employment is the major priority. Training programmes must be designed and resourced to ensure their objectives are met.

Maori Land Development:

Under-developed Maori land requires finance management skills and technical expertise. Without this Maori land will not be able to reach its full productive capacity.

A continuing problem to the utilisation of large areas of Maori land is the Maori Reserve Lands Act. This imposes unrealistic rentals and lease periods which on the one hand frustrates Maori land development options, and on the other accentuates Maori land alienation. The imposition of the Town and Country Planning Act and other statutes also frustrates the intentions of Maori people who desire to live or utilise their own land for the benefit of the people. Changes to statutes to accommodate realistic Maori aspirations are necessary.

Conference therefore recommends an immediate enquiry into how the Maori Reserve Lands Act and the Town and Country Planning Act and other restrictive statutes can be amended to reflect Maori economic and cultural aspirations.

Maori land and labour development in tandem is an aspiration for many Maori people involved in tribal development. The lack of information on development options which meet the labour, soil, financial, climate and transport requirements of Maori people is a source of continuing frustration.

Conference therefore recommends that existing information which is presently fragmented among Government Agencies, be centralised and disseminated to Regional and Tribal groups, and regional development task forces involving appropriate Government and Private expertise be established.

Maori Authorities:

Maori Incorporations and Maori Trusts are vehicles for Maori land development. They are both economic and social organisations, and with their resource base have a role to play in assisting with the establishment of new Maori enterprises, Incorporations, Trusts and Cooperatives. They also have a role in advising the Government on appropriate legislation under which they operate.

Conference therefore supports the establishment of New Zealand wide Associations for Maori Incorporations and Trusts whose objectives would include advising on the appropriate legislation and creating a united voice for these authorities.

Rationalisation:

Previously strong Maori tribal based groups have been weakened in recent years by committee systems which have not utilised the strengths within the tribal system. Conference therefore supports the establishment of Maori Tribal/Regional Groups which would act as umbrella groups to spearhead economic initiatives at the local level.

Representations on Government Agencies:

Government funded agencies without links to Maori peole have difficulty in viewing Maori land, labour, development and other aspirations from a Maori perspective. Maori participation and representation on Governent Boards and quango’s to date has smacked of tokenism. Conference therefore supports the appointment of Maori people with appropriate qualifications to Boards of Government funded agencies. Maori participation in all levels of decision making is essential if equality is to be attained.

Women:

The status of Maori women is of deep concern. Present policies have failed to address the cultural, social and economic status and the physical, spiritual and mental needs of Maori women. The picture which emerges from a study of the health, education, housing, employ-

ment and justice of Maori women is one of tragedy.

‘Without women and land we cannot exist as a people’ A call for a Secretariat of Maori Women to be established within the Ministry of Womens Affairs is supported. This will take one step towards achieving the economic, cultural and political parity of Maori women within maoridom, and within Aotearoa. They should work in consultation with, and with the support of, the Department of Maori Affairs. There is a need to urgently address the status, existence and needs of Maori women.

Youth:

Conference accepts the demand of youth to be heard and to make a contribution to Maori development. They must be involved in decisions affecting them.

Conference was impressed by their commitment to overcome the difficulties we face. Their enthusiasm and their willingness to accept the responsibilities of building their future impressed all delegates.

The proposals put forward by them for the International Year for Youth are supported. We believe they have the qualities to fulfil their ambitions.

Health:

It is acknowledged that Maori ill health is among the worst in the world. The causes of ill health stem from a number of factors including, low economic status, educational underachievement, low self-esteem and lack of access to positive health care systems. This problem will not be overcome by

programmes aimed at physical health alone. Conference recognises that physical health will be improved by strengthening spiritual and creative health through a programme which combines high levels of local innovation, participation and activity. The Maori Women’s Welfare League Health Report has illustrated the diversity of our people in terms of cultural activity and whanau base. Their Report demonstrates the groups at risk of whanau and iwi alienation. Waiora needs to be a basic principle in this objective. Conference supports Waiora month next year to develop these themes. Firstly, te whanau me te ao-turoa (this scheme seeks to revive and reinforce the connections between the family and the universe). Secondly, puawaitanga o te tahahinengaro {this relates to the flowering and creation of new life). Thirdly, te taha tinana (this theme shows our physical being is an embodiment of Mother Earth). Conference fosters the concept of total well-being which corresponds with the priorities of the Maori community.

Constitution: Measures to safeguard by constitutional means the inherent rights of the Maori including the provisions of the Treaty of Waitangi, are long overdue. This should be the subject of close

study by Government in conjunction with the Maori people. The Task Ahead: Submissions to Conference have expressed a wide range of views, aspirations and development options. The creative energy and thought given in submissions must be a continuing source of information for policy actions. Specific representation on subjects such as Broadcasting, Cooperative Development, Education, Family and other issues must be brought before Government decision makers. Speakers have been fully recorded by Hansard and copies will be distributed to all participants and others interested. Conference papers will also be available. Follow-up action on Conference matters will be initiated by the Minister of Maori Affairs. It is recommended a committee from Conference on Maori Broadcasting to consider urgent issues be established immediately. The primary task ahead is to increase the quality of life of Maori families. When this is achieved, Maori health, crime, education, unemployment and other social problems will lessen. Without a relative increase in the standard of living of Maori families, the under achievement gap between Maori and non-Maori will widen even further. To close the gap we must ac-

cept the view of the Minister of Maori Affairs that the Maori must “progress two steps to other peoples one”. The resource cost to enable Maori people to obtain a quantum leap in economic performance in the development decade ahead, will not be high. The funding for Maori land, labour and culture development must come from retargeting resources which are presently directed towards negative outcomes. One study estimates the cost of perpetuating negative Maori outcomes at $500,000,000 per year. The implications for resource transfer away from existing Government programmes towards innovative proposals that meet Maori Tribal/Regional objectives on their terms will mean institutional changes. Since the turn of the century, the Maori has not been an agent or leader of change in New Zealand economic development. Maori resources, land, people and culture now stand at the threshold of a great leap forward. Maori initiatives, policies, management and work should be channelled to meet this challenge which is vital to the future of the Maori and New Zealand. Conference accepts the Minister’s challenge to participate in a new Maori Renaissance and a new Development Decade for our people.