MEDIA STATEMENT
23 February 2022
Government funding to create new environmental jobs for Ngāti Tūwharetoa
The government is to provide funding to Ngāti Tūwharetoa which will lead to the creation of new jobs for the iwi in the natural environment in the Taupō and Tūrangi district.
Conservation Minister, Hon Kiritapu Allan, has announced that Ngāti Tūwharetoa will receive $500k, over a two-year period, as part of the government’s Mahi mō te Taiao / Jobs for Nature programme. This is administered by the Department of Conservation, Te Papa Atawhai.
The Ngāti Tūwharetoa project, will be known as Oranga Taiao, Oranga Tūwharetoa. It will create fulltime employment for about five people and have a Tūwharetoa tikanga focused approach.
Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board CEO, Rakeipoho Taiaroa has welcomed the Minister’s announcement.
“Ngāti Tūwharetoa have long been the kaitiaki of our whenua, upholding the tikanga of our old people. The Oranga Taiao, Oranga Tūwharetoa project provides us with further capability and resource, to maintain and uphold our responsibilities as kaitiaki.
It also enables us to create fulltime employment for our people, at a time of uncertainty in the COVID-19 environment.
The Trust Board, on behalf of Ngāti Tūwharetoa, appreciates the government’s support. We look forward to providing further support to our people and in strengthening the iwi-DOC relationship through the project.”
ENDS.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board
Phone: 07 386 8832 Email: info@tuwharetoa.co.nz
Click here to view pdf of the media statement
Click here to view release from Hon Kiritapu Allen