The Government has announced $100 million in funding today aimed at unlocking under-utilised Māori land.
Meanwhile, another $27 million has been put aside from its Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) to help with transport infrastructure and horticulture in Northland's Kaipara region.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said, "At the moment, we have cases of Māori land owners being unable to access financing via the banks because of the status of the land".
The Prime Minister said the $100 million targeting Māori land will be used for things such as roading access and cash injections for business proposals – some much-needed capital which the banks refuse to provide.
"It's the unalienable rights of the land holders - that's the issue when it comes to banks looking for security, and so that's a barrier to accessing finance," Ms Ardern said.
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones believes the last government didn't spend wisely.
"They spent millions and millions on trying to reform the act and not one single acre or perch of Māori land came into production," Mr Jones said.
While the funding announcement was warmly received, it was also met with a word of caution
Te Uri O Hau and Ngāti Whātua's Rawson Wright said, "A lot of consultants involved, a lot of thought being put into it but in actual fact, the utilisation back to those beneficiaries are not always there".
Kaipara locals, meanwhile, are celebrating new funding for the Kaipara Harbour, including $27 million for local roading.
It's understood about 72 per cent of roads in Kaipara are unsealed, making today's announcement long-overdue.
Local Cameron Maclean said, "The school bus drivers have a problem with some of them – they’re scared of driving up them, Truckies won't take trailers up them to get stock".
However, the National Party said today's announcement simply adds greater confusion to the Government's overall roading plan.
National transport spokesperson Paul Goldsmith said, "It's very hard to work out any clear plan, so they're not doing the critical roads for the region, because they're anti-cars, essentially".
More funding announcements are expected in the region tomorrow.
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