April 05, 2018
Ngai Tahu looks to close $2.6b income gap
Employment Minister Willie Jackson says a Ngai Tahu-commissioned report spelling out the cost of continued inequity is a welcome reminder of the need to take action on getting Maori into jobs and careers.
The report by economists BERL estimated the economy would get a $2.6 billion a year boost if current inequalities in education, employment and income for Maori were alleviated.
If nothing is done, that income gap will explode to $4.3 billion a year by 2040.
BERL deputy chief economist Hillmare¨ Schulze said technological changes will favour the highly skilled while displacing low skilled labour, which means a significant proportion of the Maori workforce could be at risk of losing their jobs.
Mr Jackson says he was pleased to release the report because it showed Ngai Tahu’s commitment to education, training and employment.
"I’m looking as Employment Minister for partnerships, willing partners, groups and organisations who will invest in their people and Nai Tahu, probably more so than any other tribe, are leading the way in this area," he says.
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