November 17, 2016
Civil defence funding mooted for marae
Maori Party co-leader Marama Fox wants to see civil defence funding used to help marae prepare for natural disasters.
Marae have figured prominently in response to this week’s earthquakes and floods,
Ms Fox says the way Takahanga Marae was able to support more than 1000 people caught up in Kaikoura is a tribute to the ability of marae to deal with whatever comes their way.
Tapu Te Ranga Marae and other marae around in Wellington also threw open their doors when slips and floods affected the region.
She says their networks of volunteers, large kitchens, stockpiles of bedding and other facilities help marae add value to the nation.
"Some of them are getting to the end of their roof or their guttering or water tanks and things need fixing. So we are trying see if we can get a fund that are available for marae so that they can do the things necessary, so they can continue to play that role in our communities as civil defence emergency hubs," says Marama Fox.
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