Budget 09: Positive spin placed on miserly haul

The Maori Party has put a stoic face on a seemingly miserly haul from its first Budget as a Government support party - claiming gains of $120 million, but saying they are only a first step and realistic in the current environment.

Co-leader Pita Sharples said the party was realistic about what the Budget could deliver in the present economic climate - but made it clear he expected more in future years.

"It never goes far enough, that's what every minister will tell you," said the Maori Affairs Minister. "But in these times it sets the base to work and attract later funding. There's a lot of things in the fire."

Dr Sharples said there were several initiatives the party was working on that he hoped would secure future funding, such as his specialist Maori rehabilitation centres for prisoners.

The Maori Development Ministry did not get extra money, but Dr Sharples rejigged the funding it already had to put $10 million into his Maori economic taskforce and $32 million towards a new network of about 40 Maori "advocates" to work with families to ensure they were getting the support they were eligible for.

He has also given an extra $3 million towards a $5.7 million fund for te reo development.

"It's seeking gains for our people wherever we can get it. It doesn't have to be in my portfolio. It's my job to get in the face of other ministers and create opportunities for Maori."

Some of the other gains were already National Party policy, but the Maori Party said it had pushed to ensure they went through - including an extra $22.2 million for the Office of Treaty Settlements and $19.9 million to roll out the Maori teaching programme Te Kotahitanga to a further 30 secondary schools.

It also put on its list a $12 million fund for housing on Maori land and a $15.9 million fund for aquaculture claims.

However, Labour Maori affairs spokesman Parekura Horomia said Maori would feel let down. "We needed significant investment in skills training and job creation, but we haven't got it. Surely the Maori Party could have done better than that."

Dr Sharples said Maori had asked his party to"hold the line" to make sure Government spending on Maori was not eroded during the recession.

"Not only have we managed to do that, we've secured other gains."

Co-leader Tariana Turia said the party was also part of securing the $330 million home insulation scheme, for which the Green Party received credit.

She said there were also gains for Maori in broader funding initiatives in areas such as health, education, housing and social development.

Dr Sharples supported the decision to stall the 2010 and 2011 tax cuts, saying there was little choice.

Mrs Turia said the party had not put in any specific funding bids for health, but there were gains for Maori in universal policies across the board.

"Maori will benefit from the $750 million that is being invested in health."

She said the party had no concerns about the decision to drop payments for the superannuation fund.

"Most of our people hardly live to be 65. I don't think it's going to have a huge impact on our people."

The party supported the fund being maintained at its current level, but had no difficulty with money being withheld in the interim.