6 Aug 2015

Auckland Maori joint responsibility - Taipari

11:47 am on 6 August 2015

Both iwi and central Government have a responsibility to help improve the economic situation of Maori in Auckland, a Maori leader says.

A report commissioned by the Maori Independent Statutory Board has found Auckland's Maori economy makes up more than half of the entire Maori asset base.

But Auckland Maori incomes are 17 percent lower than the Auckland average; and at 13 percent, Auckland Maori unemployment rate is twice that of the Auckland total.

Board chair David Taipari said iwi had worked hard to grow their asset base through Treaty settlements and other mechanisms so they now had the income to help turn those figures around.

"I'd like to think there will be a stronger investment of our own capital and our own resources to improve the quality of life of our people. That doesn't take away the fact that the Treaty partner through the central Government has a responsibility to do that as well."

Mr Taipari said he did not think there were any iwi that did not want to improve the well-being of their people.

The report also found more than 13000 Maori aged between 15 and 19 in the city are not in education, employment or training.

Mr Taipari said investment in Maori youth was needed.

"One of the key things around that is focussing our people into employment that's contemporary and into the future, not focussing on skills based training around things of the past and we need to be flexible and adaptable to that."

Mr Taipari said he would like funding directed to where young Maori live.

The report shows almost half of Maori live in south Auckland's Manurewa, Ōtara and Māngere or west of the city in Henderson or Massey.