Does Luxon think it will mitigate the hostility of the Leftist Legacy Media towards him and the coalition government? Sorry Chris, it makes no difference to them — they want the Far Left back in power.
by John Porter
“Two Hawke’s Bay marae damaged during Cyclone Gabrielle will be rebuilt in safer locations using $27.6 million of Government funding.”
“Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka said the Government had on Thursday approved $11.54m for Petāne Marae and $16.06m for Tāngoio Marae to relocate and rebuild, through the Whenua Māori and Marae Pathway.”
WHY?
“Marae play a vital role in supporting whānau and communities, particularly during emergencies,” Potaka said.
Aahh!
“Marae are a key part of how communities respond during emergencies. Relocating and rebuilding these marae will strengthen resilience across Hawke’s Bay.”
Justification or simply political BS?
Are marae the only group who step up in times of natural disasters? How many other community organisations who mucked in post Cyclone Gabrielle would love to be afforded such selective government largess!
“As part of the Whenua Māori and Marae Pathway (WMMP) process, trustees for both marae entered into a Relationship and Funding Agreement with the Government and National Infrastructure Funding and Financing (NIFF) to relocate and rebuild the marae.”
“The WMMP is jointly overseen by the Ministers of Finance, Emergency Management and Recovery, Māori Development and Māori Crown Relations.”
Mmmm?
Under the Whenua Māori and Marae Pathway a separate $7 million investment was also announced for 16 marae-based projects, including upgrading 54 marae for energy, water, and flood resilience.
Earlier, funding was used to support a Northland marae water system, a sea wall on Matakana Island, and solar/water storage in Te Tauihu.
Te Tauihu is the area that actually encompasses the regions of Nelson, Tasman, and Marlborough.
A further $1 million “Marae Emergency Response Fund” was added to the Māori Development Fund in January 2026 to allow government to reimburse marae for providing community welfare.
Is this not “ethnic charity” wrapped up in politicised wording to disguise what is actually happening? PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT!
As marae are considered private property, surely the question must be asked as to why Ngāti Kahungunu is not funding these costs directly. Do they not insure their property?
The Kahungunu Asset Holding Company has demonstrated significant financial growth, increasing its 2007 fisheries settlement of $31 million to over $100 million by 2016.
With a recently reported surplus of $9 million for the 2023–2024 financial year, the capacity for their own investment is obvious? Clearly, they have the resources to support their own people!
Luxon campaigned on eliminating “wasteful spending”. While this specific funding may not technically fit that strict definition, many would argue its justification. Given this precedent, how long before this benevolence prompts other to marae submit similar claims?
More importantly, when will we address the need for Māori entities to contribute their fair share to the country’s infrastructure and services?
And, when will the fiscal responsibilities of Māori organisations be brought in line with their growing influence in our national economy?
It is also noteworthy that in October 2020, immediately before an election, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones and Māori Development Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced that nearly $100 million was being invested to upgrade 351 marae nationwide.
Am I just an old coot howling at the moon on this issue of ethnic favouritism? Or do I make a fair point?
‘Special People’ with ‘Fake Special Government Partnership Relationships’ deserve ‘Special Treatment’.
Can anyone direct me to the government Department so I can apply for a free taxpayer funded ‘Special Free House Roof’?
Do maraes not have insurance?
No – it’s not a tax deductable expense for them.
Interesting. I found this for starters from 2019 https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/nz/news/breaking-news/insuring-marae-the-sacred-meeting-grounds-of-aotearoas-iwi-174041.aspx It is still in operation. Further investigation on Perplexity produced this Continuation of the Tainui scheme
Waikato‑Tainui’s website (updated 2025) states that it has an insurance programme to ensure marae have insurance that is affordable and offers peace of mind, indicating the collective scheme is still in place in some form.
The same page notes that Aon has now been appointed as broker for the marae insurance programme, and that cover for marae buildings and combined liability has been placed with Chubb at least through late 2022, which shows the original Willis Towers Watson arrangement described in 2019 has been re‑brokered rather than abandoned.
Recent references to marae insurance programmes
A 2024 research paper on risk‑based insurance pricing and te ao Māori discusses “novel iwi‑led business models for marae insurance,” suggesting that collective or iwi‑organised marae insurance remains an active space, not just a one‑off experiment from 2019.
Te Nehenehenui (Maniapoto) recently advertised a “marae insurance hui” in April 2026, described as aimed at enhancing our marae insurance program, which implies that other iwi also have ongoing structured arrangements for marae cover.
I wonder if either/both of these had insurance
“Two Hawke’s Bay marae damaged during Cyclone Gabrielle will be rebuilt in safer locations using $27.6 million of Government funding.”