Shane Taurima
Māori Party Candidate for Tāmaki Makaurau

Media statement

29 June 2017

Manurewa Business Association refuses to support our most in need whānau

Māori Party candidate for Tāmaki Makaurau Shane Taurima wants to know why the Manurewa Business Association is blocking a request from the community to support some of our most in need whānau.

“The community want to set up a container in a local car park to store the personal gear of those living on the streets, but the Manurewa Business Association has said no, and the community deserves to know why,” says Shane Taurima.

“The container will help keep their personal gear safe and dry during the day. It’s something that can be done right now with little fuss and that will make a big difference."

"We still need to identify long term solutions to end homelessness and that will require all of us to work together including local businesses, community organisations and most importantly whānau themselves, to identify and support their needs.”

“A sleepover was held at the weekend in the carpark of the Methodist Church to support freedom sleepers and whānau in need. I attended the event to hear first-hand from those living in their cars and on the streets what could be done to help them.”

“Some of the whānau that I spoke to said that they were on the streets because they didn’t know where to access support, or had been treated badly by government agencies. Others were struggling to make ends meet on their low wages or hard pressed to find a job.”

“Mainstream policies of successive governments over many years have had a devastating effect on our people. We need community-led and long-term solutions that help whānau take control of their lives.”

“I acknowledge the work that is currently being done by Whānau Ora, social service providers, community groups and marae, but we must do more.”

“The Māori Party will establish dedicated navigators to work with whānau to find homes for them, and to support whānau to be able to stay in their homes.”

"We will build more affordable and social housing and support urban Māori, community and iwi groups to house their whānau."

“We will change the law so that all rental homes must pass a warrant of fitness and put a cap on rents for all state homes.”

“We will also help more whānau buy their own home by bringing back the Māori Affairs low interest housing loans scheme that got so many of our parents and grandparents into their first home,” says Mr Taurima.

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