Yesterday’s Budget included $900million to support Maori job opportunities, learning, housing, and Whanau Ora.
Maori education received $400million, including $200million for Te Kohanga Reo, and a $50million Maori trades training fund was also established.
Otakou kaumatua Edward Ellison said the funding was well targeted, recognising the greatest challenges to Maori wellbeing that had been amplified significantly by the impact of Covid-19.
"The budget package suitably looks to work with Maori, not reinventing the wheel but working with proven models of experience and delivery for the vulnerable," he said.
"The budget pitch toward vocation training and job creation in the regions, the support of whanau and communities through Whanau Ora delivery, the Maori housing component, along with the education and cultural resilience components over the next few years is an investment in our people and communities."
Associate Education Minister Kelvin Davis said Covid-19 had shown when the Government and Maori worked together, "we can achieve great things together".
