Post by Kiwi Frontline on May 27, 2024 5:33:44 GMT 12
MAJOR GOVT AGENCY FAILS TO PAY BILLS, FACES HUGE FUNDING SHORTFALL
The Office of Māori Crown Relations, also known as Te Arawhiti, oversees and supports Māori seeking customary rights over the foreshore and seabed.
Under the Marine and Coastal Area Act, Māori can apply for Customary Marine Title or Protected Customary Rights through the High Court or directly to the Crown.
They can access funding to do this through the agency's Takutai Moana Financial Assistance Scheme.
But in an urgent letter obtained by 1News, Te Arawhiti has told applicants its $12 million budget for the next financial year won't be enough to meet the demand.
Lawyers have told 1News that means multiple upcoming hearings in the High Court will likely need to be cancelled.
"There's one hearing over the Whangārei harbour that's costing over $16 million," said Lawyer Darrell Naden.
"So the the budget wouldn't even cover one hearing. And yet there are six to eight hearings scheduled for the next financial year."
Te Arawhiti has told claimants it can't commit to funding any of them.......
www.1news.co.nz/2024/05/26/major-govt-agency-fails-to-pay-bills-faces-huge-funding-shortfall/
The Office of Māori Crown Relations, also known as Te Arawhiti, oversees and supports Māori seeking customary rights over the foreshore and seabed.
Under the Marine and Coastal Area Act, Māori can apply for Customary Marine Title or Protected Customary Rights through the High Court or directly to the Crown.
They can access funding to do this through the agency's Takutai Moana Financial Assistance Scheme.
But in an urgent letter obtained by 1News, Te Arawhiti has told applicants its $12 million budget for the next financial year won't be enough to meet the demand.
Lawyers have told 1News that means multiple upcoming hearings in the High Court will likely need to be cancelled.
"There's one hearing over the Whangārei harbour that's costing over $16 million," said Lawyer Darrell Naden.
"So the the budget wouldn't even cover one hearing. And yet there are six to eight hearings scheduled for the next financial year."
Te Arawhiti has told claimants it can't commit to funding any of them.......
www.1news.co.nz/2024/05/26/major-govt-agency-fails-to-pay-bills-faces-huge-funding-shortfall/