2 x Articles 11/10/19 - Marae upgrades, Govt contracts

[Kiwi Frontline]

COUNCIL PROGRAMME TO IMPROVE MARAE CONDITIONS

Auckland Council’s $60m programme to improve the condition of 32 marae across the region will bring benefits to Franklin and Papakura.
Six of the marae named for support are within the Franklin Local Board area, Ngā Hau E Wha O Pukekohe, Umupuia and Ngati Kohua in the Clevedon subdivision, Reretewhioi and Tahuna in Waiuku, and Whatapaka at Te Hihi.

Neighbouring Papakura Marae has also been named in the Marae Infrastructure Programme, which will target four marae each year over a decade as part of a plan to support them as safe and healthy spaces for whānau.

The programme will focus on repair, maintenance and upgrade works to marae facilities, which include wharenui, wharekai and wharepaku.....

ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/articles/news/2019/10/council-programme-to-improve-marae-conditions/

[Kiwi Frontline]

PROPOSAL TO FAVOUR ‘INDIGENOUS’ PROCUREMENT IS WRONG

Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams says, “Buried in MBIE’s briefing to Phil Twyford [para. 27] as incoming Minister for Economic Development is perhaps Cabinet’s maddest idea yet: ‘indigenous procurement’ policies that ‘seek to actively increase government contracting to indigenous firms’.”

“When the Government decides who to hire, its sole consideration should be value for taxpayers. It should not use procurement as a way to do favours for particular groups.”

“Iwi authorities like Ngāi Tahu and Tainui are not little guys in need of a handout. Māori authorities already enjoy a special discounted corporate tax rate. This policy will inflate prices for taxpayers, and punish Kiwi businesses trying to compete fairly for government contracts.....

www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1910/S00122/proposal-to-favour-indigenous-procurement-is-wrong.htm