As government departments try to find areas to cut back, a new Maori taskforce is to get $4.5 million a year to try help Maori through the recession and prepare for the future.
Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples announced in January he would set up a Maori Affairs ministerial taskforce on the economy, which he would chair.
He said today the taskforce would be headed by Mark Solomon, Bentham Ohia, Ngahiwi Tomoana, Daphne Luke, John Tamihere, June McCabe and Rob McLeod.
Dr Sharples said the "movers and shakers in Maoridom" had the right mix of skills.
"Together they make up a balanced team with wide networks and diverse interests, and they have the knowledge and experience to deliver results in the face of the huge economic challenges facing our nation."
He said the taskforce will follow up ideas produced at January's summit and had a budget of $4.5 million per annum.
The taskforce would also respond to ideas from the Government's job summit.
The task force would be backed by a small secretariat in Te Puni Kokiri, with a private secretary in Dr Sharples' office.
