More whānau will be able to plan, fund and implement successful housing initiatives, like the Tukaokao whānau of Tauranga.

The Tukaokao whānau were reliant on a diesel generator and initially installed two solar panels. As their whare was on Māori-titled land, they weren’t eligible for a bank loan to help them connect to the national power grid. They were eligible for help via a Kāinga Whenua Infrastructure Grant and 24 solar panels with a new battery storage system were installed.

You can read more about their story here; they share that as a direct result of accessing power “the kids’ health has improved due to being able to have our air filtering system running and access to fresh kai”.

Whānau interested in generating or improving returns from their land may be eligible for the Whenua Māori Fund. The Whenua Māori Fund supports initiatives that lay the groundwork for future productivity improvements or commercial development of land. An initiative might include training, business planning or scoping opportunities.

This new fund is one of three important parts to reform Te Ture Whenua Māori Bill. The Bill is now making its passage through Parliament. The other work streams include: the establishment of the new Māori Land Service; a refocused role of the Māori Land Court and; work on key Māori land issues that have a negative impact on Māori land, for example landlocked Māori land; paper roads and matters related to the Public Works Act.

Also on its way to a first reading is Te Ture mō te Reo Māori 2016. In this article, the Māori Development Minister explains what it all means.

Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency Te Pūtahitanga announced three new investment rounds which opened this month. 

In the next edition of Kōkiritia we’ll preview the next edition of Kōkiri magazine, due out in July in time for Matariki and Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori. 

Ngā manaakitanga,

Michelle