95bFM Te Pāti Māori’s Takutai Kemp: Auckland Council budget cuts will affect those relying on essential services
27 March, 2023
Interview by Hanna Thompson, adapted by Ashley-Rose Redstone
Te Pāti Māori’s Takutai Kemp warns that the Auckland Council’s proposed cuts to essential services will be detrimental for Māori, low-income earners, and working families. Photo: Unsplash
The Auckland Council’s annual budget which proposes cutting funding to several community services including public transport, the Citizens Advice Bureau, and homelessness initiatives is currently up for public consultation.
Takutai Kemp from Te Pāti Māori told 95bFM’s The Wire that these cuts would be disadvantageous to Māori.
“These budget cuts affect us, they affect our communities, they affect the oranga of our people and their wellbeing.”
Kemp argued that the cuts would also be detrimental to low-income earners and working families who rely on essential services.
“The services that are available at Citizens Advice Bureau, if those are gone, there is no access to advice or support for whānau.”
“Over 1000 buses off the timetable a day will affect our students, our Māori students, and our whānau that catch buses or public transport.”
Despite the council opening the budget to public feedback, Kemp said that historically, change from public consultation is often futile and does not accurately reflect the voices of whānau.
“We've been doing it for years, we've been filling up the submissions, and it doesn't happen. So even though we are continuing to push and ask our people to fill out their submissions, we hope that change comes, but in past years, that has never happened.”
You can have your say on the Auckland Council’s budget, by making a submission on the council’s website before 11pm on 28 March.
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