21 May 2014

New Maori ICT fund welcomed

6:31 am on 21 May 2014

The information and communications technology sector is welcoming a new putea (fund) for Maori.

As part of the Budget, $30 million is being put into the Maori ICT Development Fund.

It's money the Government said might be made available after it refused to give some Maori claimants a block of the radio spectrum.

Tuwhakairiora Williams - who worked with the claimants - said the fund would give some Maori a break.

He said the money could be spent on research and supporting entrepreneurs.

Mr Williams, who is former chair of the Maori Television Electoral College, said the fund would also be useful for Maori to find their way into the bigger ICT arena.