Mana makes more wild statements – this time about Whanau Ora   16 Sep 2014

Hon Tariana Turia

Minister for Whanau Ora and Associate Minister Social Development

16 September 2014 Release

Mana makes more wild statements – this time about Whanau Ora

Earlier this week the Mana candidate for Waiariki Annette Sykes claimed the Government wants to abolish the Waitangi Tribunal and the Maori Land Court. Last night the Mana candidate for Te Tai Tokerau Hone Harawira claimed on the Native Affairs debate that money from Women’s Refuge has been transferred to Whanau Ora.

Chair of the Ministerial Committee on Family Violence and Minister of Whanau Ora, Tariana Turia says Hone Harawira either has been given incorrect information or he is mischief-making a few days out before the General Election.

“While I always welcome any new interest in how we address family violence, it is really important that people have correct information in front of them. Firstly, I can say categorically that no funding ear-marked for family violence has been redirected into Whanau Ora”, says Mrs Turia.

“Furthermore, no Women’s Refuges have closed in order that Whanau Ora be funded. These types of statements are both irresponsible and plain wrong.”

Mr Harawira also alleged that funding for Women’s Refuges has been drastically cut over the last few years. In fact, funding to refuges, both those affiliated to and independent of the National Collective, has increased from $11.6m in 2007/08 to $15.3m in 2013/14. Funding specifically to NCIWR for refuge services has increased from $5.5m in 2007/08 to $6.3m in 2013/14.

“My greatest problem with the wild assertions made last night is that it takes the attention away from what we should be doing as a nation and that is taking responsibility ourselves to address this ngarara within our communities. Women’s Refuges do amazing work and must be supported to provide that vital crisis intervention. But we must never abdicate our responsibility as family members, as neighbours, as teachers, as friends, to step up and speak out against the violence going on within our midst. Whanau Ora is about placing faith in our families to confront these challenges.

“Yesterday, hundreds of New Zealanders attended a rally at parliament, speaking up for the role and responsibility of all of us, to try to stop the violence – whether it be verbal, physical, psychological, sexual, cultural. I was proud to stand as part of that gathering, to declare my support for raising the awareness. We must take these issues seriously and know that with support, all our families can stand up to care for our children and provide a healthy loving environment,” says Mrs Turia.

ENDS

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