Mahuta: ‘no one wants to be poor’

Nanaia Mahuta will be taking a strength-based approach to her new portfolio of Ma¯ori Development.

The Hauraki-Waikato Labour MP is the first Ma¯ori woman to be appointed the Ma¯ori Development ministerial position.

She has the Local Government portfolio, which she first obtained in the 2005-2008 Labour Government and is also the Associate Minister for the Environment.

There’s a lot of ground to cover and Mahuta is aware there will be obstacles along the way.

‘‘The challenge we face is matching our ambition, with the reality of the government machine,’’ she said.

‘‘I have high ambitions in terms of this region and what can be achieved in our time in government, but that does mean doing things differently.

‘‘There’s no doubt we will have our challenges, but we’ll meet each challenge one day at a time.’’

Mahuta’s goals for the next three years for Hauraki-Waikato include improving regional development, infrastructure, funding and finance and democratic participation.

‘‘The first thing we can do is foster a collaboration across our ministerial team on a number of issues. The prime minister has identified reducing child poverty as a key aim and tackling issues around equality and poverty.

‘‘People are sick of being poor and having opportunities limited because they don’t have the skills or the work isn’t available. No one wants to be a long-term beneficiary but there are so many challenges.’’

New Zealand has areas in need of improvement, she said.