Hon Dr Pita Sharples
Minister of Maori Affairs

3 May 2012
Media Release

 

Māori Affairs Minister Dr Pita Sharples has opened a small office in Glen Innes to help tenants involved in the Tamaki Transformation Programme.

“This major urban renewal project will clearly be disruptive to the long-established communities there, while state houses are upgraded or reconfigured to meet current and future demands,” said Dr Sharples.

“I have arranged for Kaitoko Whanau workers to be based in the office, to make sure whanau get all the help they are entitled to. Any uncertainty creates anxiety, but residents can see there are friendly and familiar faces there to help them deal with issues that may arise,” he said.

“The wider purpose is to facilitate communication between residents and official agencies, so the work is carried on in a way that minimises any disruption to the community support networks that keep whanau strong and resilient.

“Supporting the community as a whole helps the individual residents and their families through the process. Kaitoko Whānau are using their local knowledge to help achieve that.

“While noisy protests have attracted media headlines, my office is making a real difference for people who need practical support,” said Dr Sharples.

Media contact: Andrew Robb 029- 482 8494 or 04- 817 6772