Pee Kay
No Minister
When a political party announces a $2.44 billion “social” policy in the lead up to a general election, you expect banner headlines and non-stop media fanfare. You expect political editors to dissect the spending and critics to demand accountability. If the current government dropped a multi-billion-dollar bomb like this, the usual suspects would be rushing to print with fierce condemnation.
Yet, the headlines remain small, the fanfare muted, and the critics silent.
Why the sudden media silence? The answer is simple: journalists are terrified of criticising a Māori-centric policy, and even more terrified of admitting that it looks like taxpayer funds are being used to openly buy votes.
The Green Party’s massive new $2.44 billion election policy raises a critical question: is there any real difference left between the Greens and the Māori Party?
When Chloe claims “te Tiriti is forever”, it begs the obvious assumption that she means whichever version delivers the greatest political advantage.
Consider the numbers around this issue; the New Zealand Lottery Grants Board have already handed the Oranga Marae committee over $42.3 million for the 2025/2026 financial year alone to upgrade and maintain marae around the country. That is $42.3 million of yours and my tax dollars.
How much more taxpayer money is required?
Well I can tell you. As I posted on June 1, this-is-only-the-tip-of-a-very-large-iceberg/, the Oranga Marae committee has been allocated a spectacular total of $182,381,988 over the last five financial years from the Lottery Grants Board.
Surely that says that maraes certainly do not need an additional $2.44 billion? Yet Chloe and Marama seem to think so! Is a marae near you truly the “living heart of your community”?
While the Green leadership dresses this up as a “community investment”, it looks like nothing more than an expensive vote-catcher.
But whose votes are they actually chasing? The only real question left is which electorate they are trying to buy? Their own or the Māori Party’s?
This $2.44 billion “donation” isn’t about community infrastructure is it: it’s a desperate, taxpayer-funded undertaking to buy votes.
Why aren’t the media asking the Greens if they are serving New Zealanders, or just subsidising and aligning themselves with the Māori Party’s agenda?
Make no mistake, many, mainly left-wing, faithful, will still defend and praise this blatant political bribe.
If you vote Green expecting genuine environmental policy, you should feel short-changed. This isn’t environmental leadership: it is a cynical, socialist, multi-billion-dollar surrender of the Green identity to affiliate with radical coalition partners!
Ahh, I see it now! This is part of the Greens wealth-redistribution scheme, in this instance, only a certain ethnicity benefits!
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics/945925/greens-propose-2-point-4b-funding-to-back-critical-marae
The Green Party is campaigning on establishing a $2.4 billion trust dedicated to marae.
Co-leader Marama Davidson said marae were critical infrastructure and needed funding certainty to continue their work responding to weather emergencies and supporting communities.
Te Rangatiratanga Trust would be owned and governed by hapū and iwi, with $2.44 billion of government investment over four years.
There would be two funds within that: the $2 billion Te Tōtara Haemata Intergenerational Fund, dedicated to long-term investment in marae and their communities; and the $400 million Te Rākau Whakarauora Restoration Fund, which would provide immediate access to funding for urgent needs.
The trust would cost about $40 million to set up and run.
https://www.greens.org.nz/green_party_announce_marae_funding_policy_te_waonui_a_taane
The Green Party has announced its 2026 Tiriti policy Te Waonui a Tāne: Thriving Marae and Thriving Communities.
“When marae are strong, communities are stronger. The Green Party policy Te Waonui a Tāne will recognise and resource marae to keep our communities connected and safe, for all of us,” says Green Party Co-leader Marama Davidson.
“We can ensure our mokopuna inherit vibrant, resilient, and self-determining communities. Marae are the living hearts of our communities.
“Current funding for marae creates uncertainty as it’s based on the priorities of the government of the day. Our marae are too important for that level of uncertainty.
“Te Waonui a Tāne is the Green Party’s plan to create an ongoing and protected source of funding for marae, hapū, and the communities around them.
“Te Waonui a Tāne will operate through two complementary funds. Te Rākau Whakarauora Restoration Fund will provide immediate access to funding for urgent needs. Te Tōtara Haemata Intergenerational Fund is an enduring investment fund that delivers long-term returns for generations to come,” Davidson says.
Green Party Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick says “Marae plan for generations, not election cycles. Politicians come and go, but te Tiriti is forever. Today we are announcing the pūtea and plan to honour that partnership.
“When the roads are closed, marae stay open. Marae are essential, critical infrastructure like hospitals and schools, and require dedicated, sustained resourcing like we are announcing today.
“Climate adaptation requires investment in our resilience. Social cohesion requires spaces to bring people together and celebrate our unique identity. This is Te Waonui a Tāne: for, by and of Aotearoa New Zealand,” says Swarbrick.
This article was originally published by No Minister.
