4 Jul 2013

Labour promises big increase in apprenticeships for Maori

7:02 pm on 4 July 2013

Labour says if it gets back into power its would create 10,000 trades training places for Maori.

During the recent Budget the Government found money to boost the number of schemes to 3000.

Rino Tirikatene.

Rino Tirikatene. Photo: LABOUR PARTY

But Labour's spokesperson for Treaty of Waitangi negotiations, Rino Tirikatene, says his party can do better.

He says apprenticeships and jobs need to be found for young Maori - and that pre-polytechnic type courses do not put them on a pathway to employment and a good income or a positive future.

He says National - and its partner the Maori Party - is offering too few positions and expects to create 10,000 places.