The focus of marae development investment is to place whānau and communities at the centre of decision making to determine how to achieve their own aspirations.

Marae are not only centres of Māori identity, language and traditional knowledge but are an important part of overall whānau wellbeing.

A particular focus of whānau-led initiatives is to help communities develop and strengthen their own connections. Whether it be to their heritage, identity, mātauranga, while building wider social and community wellbeing and resilience.

These initiatives will strengthen whānau and communities, not only by investing in the physical restoration and revitalisation of marae buildings but also the protection, preservation and future sustainability of the culture and heritage of marae.

This new putea for 2019/20 builds on existing funding for Te Puni Kōkiri to support whānau, hapū and iwi Māori to achieve their wider aspirations for their marae. It means more opportunities for the use of te reo Māori and engagement with te ao Māori across the country, meeting the aims of the Maihi Karauna.

These whānau-led initiatives will also support the wider economic, social and environmental aspirations of whānau, hapū and iwi, including support for marae preparedness for disaster and other emergency management responses, and environmental responses such as zero waste goals.

Recent marae-led projects that have been supported by Te Puni Kōkiri include the rebuild of the wharekai and kāuta at Waipapa Marae in Kāwhia.

Budget 19 will provide more funding for whānau and communities to ensure they can access practical assistance, resources and specialist advisory support to ensure the most appropriate and sustainable options for marae development are in place to meet the aspirations of their whānau.