Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Dr Shane Reti. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
New Zealand's Pacific peoples minister says Pasifika people should see themselves in the Government's 2025 budget.
It comes amid disappointment in the financial plan from several quarters, including from a Tongan Auckland community leader and from the opposition's Pacific peoples spokesperson, Carmel Sepuloni.
The Budget included a funding cut for the Ministry for Pacific Peoples (MPP) of nearly NZ$36 million over the next four years - equating to $9m annually - and the closing of the Tauola Business Fund which will save $3.5m a year.
But Dr Shane Reti told Pacific Waves the benefits set to come from the Budget will also benefit Pasifika in Aotearoa.
Asked what he would say to people who are still reluctant or still doubtful about what this budget can deliver for Pacific peoples, Reti said: "I think what I'd say to them is look at the plan for growth.
"It is an economic growth agenda. As inflation comes down, cost of living improves. Pasifika people benefit from that," he said.
"As inflation comes down, interest rates come down; mortgage rates come down. Therefore it's an easier pathway into housing - that's got to benefit Pasifika people.
"And the extra 240,000 jobs, Pasifika people will participate in that.
"So I would anticipate that Pasifika see themselves in this budget. It is an economic growth agenda and Pasifika people will benefit from economic growth."
Dr Reti said he has "complete confidence" that MPP will still be able to deliver its core services.
"We need to understand that any reductions in budget are spread out over four years.
"Our Toloa scholarships used to be completely managed - that is that alignment between applicants and the mission for the Toloa fund used to be managed by MPP. That is now outsourced to a specialist agency who, more effective and more efficiently is able to help us find the 300 people roughly that we're looking to support each year through the Toloa STEM scholarships. So that's an example of MPP becoming more effective, more efficient and better using the funding that it does have."
On Wednesday, Dr Reti announced NZ$1 million over four years for the Auckland Pacific Wardens Trust.
The funding is for established wardens in Auckland and South Waikato but Reti said he would like to see the initiative expand to other parts of the country.
Reti said Pacific Wardens are a trusted and vital presence in communities.
