February 02, 2018
Social policy and economics on agenda for iwi meeting
Whanau Ora Minister Peeni Henare is keen to see post settlement iwi take a greater role in addressing social issues.
Mr Henare accompanied Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern today to the Iwi Leaders Forum in Waitangi.
He says while the focus of many of the iwi in recent years has been strengthening their economic base, the new Government has a mandate to address issues like housing, poverty, and employment.
"Economic discussions and economic prosperity conversations must continue in all contexts between Maori-crown, Maori-business and other sectors so they must run parallel but what was evident from the past 10 years is we feel the social side of this country has been ignored and we are focusing on that," Mr Henare says.
Other groups the Prime Minister is meeting today are crucial partners in the whanau ora approach, including the Maori Women’s Welfare League, Maori wardens and local government.
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