$500,000 intended to strengthen groups

Press, 1 June 1989, Page 18

$500,000 intended to strengthen groups

PA Wellington A $500,000 development fund from the Social Welfare Department is intended to strengthen Maori groups by helping them to identify their tribal roots.

The Maori development unit’s national director, Mr Doug Hauraki, said tribes had responded favourably to the whanau development fund which the department had distributed for the first time.

It was previously part of Maori Affairs funds but, under social welfare, has been given a specific purpose.

“The primary objective of the funding is to strengthen the whanau, hapu and iwi for the purpose of identifying uri (descendants) and including them on tribal registers. The funds are not to be used for salaries, administration or research,” Mr Hauraki said.

“The response that we have had so far has reaffirmed for the depart-

ment that Maori people do not fear tribalism. There were concerns that there could be divisions in the tribes about the allocation of funds. These fears have been unfounded.”

Maori groups told the department that funding criteria for whanau development in the past had been vague and ambiguous. This had left it open to misinterpretation, Mr Hauraki said.

“Tribes have also indicated a willingness to share information and ideas with each other.”

A letter was sent informing tribes about the funding and asking three questions relating to confirmation of traditional tribes, the basis for allocation of funds and the base to which funds would be sent.

“The replies to date show clearly that the traditional tribal base and the number of uri are the

only ways to go.”

The funds have been distributed equally among 34 tribes. However, future funding will be based on fairness after tribes have advised the department of their situations.

Mr Hauraki said the Maori Affairs Department had pioneered the area of iwi recognition in past years and this had contributed to the social welfare approach.

Strengthening Maori links is part of a major commitment from social welfare following extensive consultation with the Maori and a department recognition of its responsibilities.

The report Puao-te-ata-tu (Daybreak) criticised the monocultural nature of the department, the ease with which it removed Maori children from families having problems, and the dependence many Maori had on welfare benefits.