Māori Party negotiates UFB - another means of hearing the Maori voice

Te Ururoa Flavell, MP for Waiariki, is thrilled that Nga Pu Waea, the Maori working group set up to look after Maori interests in broadand, has had its mandate extended to include the urban Ultra Fast Broadband.

“The extended powers of Nga Pu Waea means that marae, kohanga, kura, wananga, iwi runanga, Maori health and urban social service providers in urban areas will also benefit from the rollout of ultra-fast broadband (UFB)”

“Last week I had some rangatahi in my office, and I was amazed at their mastery of the online realm" said Mr Flavell.

"The rollout of UFB across the country will provide extra opportunities in IT, Nga Pu Waea will be there to ensure that these opportunities are provided to tangata whenua, and that our rangatahi have the opportunity to further their skill in the digital world.”

"It is great timing that in Youth Week, which has the theme of 'step up, be heard, take responsibility' we have been able to step up to advance an amazing IT highway ahead, which can certainly help carry the voice of youth - and indeed the voice of all our people - that much quicker" said Mr Flavell.

The extension of the powers of Nga Pu Waea into Ultra Fast Broadband in urban areas was negotiated by Maori Party Co-Leader Hon Dr Pita Sharples and the Minister of Telecommunications and Information Technology.

“Nga Pu Waea is the result of a submission by the Maori Economic Taskforce and shows the confidence the Government has in its recommendations- and in having the Maori Party voice right there at the top table .”