strong>Maryanne Marsters, Maori Party
1. The destructive impact of P
The most destructive impact of P is the ending of a life. Yet it does not finish there, for its impact weaves its way through families and friends in the form of grief, of confusion, guilt, anger, and dare I say, shame. Now families of Aotearoa New Zealand are no longer silent. At tangi/services anau/fanau are talking about how P and/or depression took their son, took their daughter, took their loved one. In the process of this sharing they raise awareness of the destructive impact of P (and depression). The Maori Party are committed to the lives of the sons and daughters of Aotearoa New Zealand. Our policy around P includes - develop a national strategy that is whānau-centred and community-led to get beneath the drivers of P and address the wider determinants of health disparities; and Increase the resources appropriated for P prevention, rehabilitation and education.
2. Providing permanent, well-paying jobs
There is not just one road that leads to permanent, well-paying jobs for all, and in this case too many to fit into a 100 word statement. But this is what I will say, I am encouraged by the Maori Party's unveiling of IwiRail, which is aimed at supporting isolated communities and businesses in the regions to get their goods to market, create jobs and open up opportunities for them to participate in the country's economy. A key focus of IwiRail is to inject back into the region the 15,000 jobs and apprenticeships that existed prior to the 1980s and the slicing of rail. IwiRail and its ripple effect can benefit us all.
3. Poviding affordable housing / Homelessness
Homelessness, poverty, and unemployment are symptoms of a wider systemic problem and until we address the root causes of these issues the disparities between Māori and non-Māori will continue to exist. To end homelessness we need a clear national strategy, which includes all sectors and sets out the action that Government will take. Last year, the Māori Party called on the Government to immediately adopt the 21 recommendations set out in the Ending Homelessness in New Zealand report. The Māori Party has advocated for emergency housing and lobbied for a Warrant of Fitness on all rental properties. It is important to say home ownership should be the final destination, and affordable housing is the transition. The Maori Party Policy Manifesto 2017 includes focus on home ownership.
Maryanne Marsters, Maori Party for Napier electorate
Maryanne Marsters
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