YOU SPIN IKAROA-RAWHITI RIGHT ROUND, BABY RIGHT ROUND, LIKE A RECORD BABY, RIGHT ROUND, ROUND, ROUND

Te Hamua Nikora – “It was Dead or Alive that said it best when it comes to the Maori Party and Labour’s plan to address youth unemployment in Ikaroa-Rawhiti; you spin Ikaroa-Rawhiti right round, baby right round, like a record baby, right round, round, round” says MANA Candidate for Ikaroa-Rawhiti Te Hamua Nikora.

Official unemployment figures show that under the National-Maori Party government, the rate of Maori youth unemployment has nearly doubled since 2008.

“The Maori Party has been busy telling Ikaroa-Rawhiti voters that they’ve plugged an extra $47 million into trades training schemes and cadetships to address the situation. And yet when I checked the actual budget book I see the amount for Maori and Pasifika trades training is a piffling $3 million. And you know what? It’s the same $3 million from last years ‘Training for Designated Groups’ scheme that got axed”.

“What that means is that there’s no new money for Maori trades training. And the Maori Party’s spin to make it look like they’re doing something doesn’t do anyone any favours, least of all the estimated 5000 young people in Ikaroa-Rawhiti who’re desperate for an opportunity to work”.

“Let’s be real about the situation – Maori youth unemployment is a crisis that needs urgent attention and significant investment, not just here in Ikaroa-Rawhiti, but all around the country. MANA’s plans include the development of a community work programme which would see tens of thousands of jobs created in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and marae, giving youth much needed work experience and training”.

“Labour can hardly crow about reducing Maori youth unemployment, because under their watch the rate was still three times higher than Pakeha. Labour wants to direct 2000 Maori trades training graduates towards their ‘Kiwibuild’ scheme to build 100,000, half million dollar homes, in Auckland. With the number of Maori unemployed at 40,000, that means 38,000 of our people are still unemployed. When it comes to Ikaroa-Rawhiti, there are no guarantees that some or all of the 2000 Maori trade training placements are for rangatahi in Ikaroa-Rawhiti. For the Maori Party, again there are no guarantees that some or all of the 3000 Maori trade training placements will be for Ikaroa-Rawhiti and that still leaves 37,000 Maori unemployed”.

“Spin won’t work in this campaign and the truth is known by many of the voters of Ikaroa-Rawhiti who face the cold harsh reality of being in the dole queue everyday”.

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