Maori Potential Framework work of framing

The Minister of Maori Affairs says critics of the way government is redirecting spending for Maori are living in the past.

The Budget has come under fire from the Maori Party and from education groups for cutting some long running grant programmes for Maori students, and for not having any new-Maori-specific programmes.

But Parekura Horomia says the overall education budget has gone up, and Maori will benefit from that investment.

Mr Horomia says the government has reprioritised $23.9 million in the Maori affairs budget for a three-part strategy to help Maori reach their potential.

Parekura Horomia says a lot more Maori are working, so they are benefiting from the Government's Working for Families Programme

FAT FIGHT FUNDS FETED

The chairman of the Taranaki District health board, Hayden Wano, has welcomed the $76 million in the Budget to fight the obesity epedemic.

Mr Wano says the health risks associated with obesity are well documented, and Maori rates are too high.

The money will be spent over four years on initiatives in schools, primary health care services and social agencies, and Mr Wano says that shows the programme has been carefully thought through.

Hayden Wano says there are no short term solutions to obesity.

MANA KORERO SPEECH COMPS INSPIRE

The Manu Korero secondary schools' Maori speech competitions are proving an inspiration for a Hawaiian exchange student.

16-year-old Kalihau'alaki Gouveia is spending the year at Wesley College in South Auckland, where today's Tamaki regional finals were held.

Kalihau'alaki says it's an idea which he will try to take back to Hawaii.

He says it's good to see the Maori response to colonisation, because Native Hawaiians face many similar problems.

Hawaiian exchange student Kalihau'alaki Gouveia.