The Crown is being asked to commit $1 billion to Maori social services.
Neville Baker. Photo: RNZ
Waiwhetu Marae in Lower Hutt says Treaty settlements have dealt with historical breaches, but not social grievances.
It says if organisations were given the money to try to stop offending, the Government wouldn't need so many jails.
Marae chair Neville Baker says there have been some discussions about taking a contemporary claim to the Waitangi Tribunal. The first step, he says, would be to sit down with the Crown to develop an apolitical plan.
Mr Baker says there's usually no better time to talk to a government than during an election year.
