The Government’s announcement of $10 million for Ringatū marae in the Bay of Plenty has left a sour taste. Not because marae are unimportant, but because of the growing expectation that the taxpayer should keep footing the bill for projects that other community groups are expected to fund themselves.
Making the announcement at Rātana, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones said the funding would boost resilience at Wainui Marae near Ōhope. We were told it would create 71 jobs and deliver a full complex including a wharenui, wharekai, wharetāonga, wharepaku, and modern facilities for worship, learning, and events. All very worthy on paper.
Here is the blunt question that never seems to get asked. Why can’t marae fund themselves?
Across New Zealand, sports clubs, churches, community halls, surf lifesaving clubs, and volunteer organisations are constantly rattling the tin. They run raffles, sausage sizzles, quiz nights, apply for modest grants, and lean heavily on volunteers. They do not get handed eight figure cheques from the Crown. They are expected to stand on their own two feet
Even Jones acknowledged the country is “short of putea”, thanking Finance Minister Nicola Willis for supporting the spend regardless. If money is tight, why is $10 million being prioritised here, instead of hospitals, roads, schools, or cost-of-living relief that benefits everyone?Jones was quick to insist this was not about buying votes, pointing to previous large scale spending elsewhere. Winston Peters doubled down, framing the funding as a customary gift. He said when governments come to places like Rātana, they leave something behind, calling it “the Māori way” and noting it has happened for decades…
As much as I support, Winny, that explanation does not sit well with a lot of New Zealanders who are struggling to pay rent, rates, and groceries. Public money is not a ceremonial koha. It is taken from taxpayers, many of whom will never see a cent of comparable support for their own communities.If marae are businesses, cultural institutions, or community hubs, then they should be treated the same as everyone else. That means fundraising, charging for venue use, seeking private donations, sponsorships, and modest grants like other groups do. Not automatically reaching for the Crown cheque book.
At a time when the Government keeps telling New Zealanders that tough choices must be made, this looks like a very familiar double standard. One rule for some, another rule for everyone else.
These politicians are truly despicable. We have Kiwis living on the streets and in cars and we give $100 MILLION to Ukraine $10 Million for a marae is a drop in the bucket and as far as New Zealand pollies are concerned, charity certainly dies NOT begin at home! New Zealand has committed over $100 million in aid to Ukraine, including a $15.7 million contribution toward weapons and ammunition procurement, as well as support for military training and humanitarian assistance
5. The government has extended the deployment of up to 97 NZDF personnel to train Ukrainian soldiers and provide logistical and intelligence support until June 2025
1. This support package, valued at $25.9 million, brings New Zealand’s total aid contribution to more than $100 million
1. Additional funding includes $6.5 million for weapons procurement through the UK-administered International Fund for Ukraine, $7 million in humanitarian aid, and $3 million to the World Bank’s Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction and Reform Trust Fund
1. By 2024, New Zealand’s total financial aid contribution has reached over $168 million, including support for lethal and non-lethal military equipment and drone coalition efforts
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