12 Dec 2011

Maori won't benefit from poverty committee - Greens

9:06 pm on 12 December 2011

Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei says the Maori Party's deal with National to tackle poverty will not bring great benefits for whanau Maori.

Reducing poverty is one of the policies the Maori caucus has signed up to, in a confidence and supply agreement with the National Party.

It will result in a Ministerial Committee being set up, to examine how environment, housing, employment, training and education policies can help alleviate poverty.

Ms Turei says the deal will not provide real advantages for Maori families.

She says the agreement is really a ploy for the National-led government to win the Maori Party's vote on crucial matters.