Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland Council has released its Māori Outcomes Report for 2023/2024, celebrating significant achievements while outlining the council’s ongoing commitment to fostering and supporting Māori identity, culture, and wellbeing throughout Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
Cr Kerrin Leoni, Māori Outcomes Portfolio Lead emphasises the importance of this report and celebrates the successes while acknowledging the challenges we faced.
“This year, we successfully secured an additional $21M for Māori outcomes over the next decade, starting in mid-2027. This funding will support crucial projects that significantly impact our Māori communities, from environmental initiatives to empowering grassroots Māori businesses and groups. The Ngā Hapori Momoho / Thriving Communities Grants programme has been particularly impactful over the past 12 months – with community-led projects benefiting Māori receiving 32 per cent of the funding in the latest round,” says Cr Leoni.
“While we celebrate these achievements, we must acknowledge that there are challenges that remain. However, despite some setbacks, I hold a strong sense of hope for the future of Tāmaki Makaurau. Our journey towards a more inclusive society demands that we break down barriers and foster genuine collaboration across the organisation and with Māori throughout the region.”
Cr Richard Hills, Chair of the Policy and Planning Committee emphasises the importance of this report, and the positive impact our collective efforts have had on promoting Māori identity and wellbeing.
“The report offers valuable insights into Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland Council’s commitments to enhancing Māori outcomes, especially for our tamariki and ensuring they see themselves as part of our city. We’ve seen some great successes, like the $150M Māori Outcomes Fund, which has enabled us to support key projects that are transformative for Māori communities including enhancing marae infrastructure and backing Māori-led environmental initiatives,” says Cr Hills.
“There’s more work to be done but by acknowledging the unique needs and aspirations of iwi, hapū, and mātaawaka group, we can continue to work together to shape a Tāmaki Makaurau that we can all be proud of and move forward with determination and unity.”
This year's report highlights the progress made under the council’s strategic framework, Kia Ora Tāmaki Makaurau, which prioritises ten key mana outcomes vital to Māori in Auckland.
Key highlights:
- Increased Funding for Māori Outcomes: In the 2024 Long-term Plan, Auckland Council secured an additional $21 million for Māori outcomes, ensuring the growth of projects that support environmental restoration, cultural revitalisation and economic empowerment.
- Success across the Māori Outcomes Fund: The central Māori Outcomes Fund has supported a range of impactful projects, including enhancements to marae infrastructure, initiatives to encourage Māori businesses and youth-focused programmes that promote cultural identity and language revitalisation. Notably, the Marae Infrastructure Programme has provided critical support, enhancing these vital community spaces as hubs for Māori and the wider community.
- Strengthening Partnerships and Decision Making: Auckland Council continues to work closely with mana whenua and mātaawaka to include and embed Māori perspectives at all levels of decision-making. The ongoing development of robust and inclusive partnerships and approaches to decision making ensure that Māori voices can provide a guide to the future of Tāmaki Makaurau’s natural and built environments, for the betterment of all of our communities.
- Promoting Te Reo Māori and Cultural Capability: The council continues to deliver a wide range of initiatives to ensure that Te Reo Māori, is seen, spoken and heard throughout the region. Initiatives include Te Kete Rukuruku - a programme to ensure Māori names and stories are featured in our many parks and green spaces and a te reo Māori virtual reality experience in libraries. This coupled with a targeted cultural capability programme to enhance cultural competency at the right levels of staff within the council and ensure the visibility and use of te reo Māori across council activities.
- Supporting Community Resilience: The Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Office has collaborated with mana whenua to support communities affected by the 2023 storms. A newly implemented navigator service, in partnership with iwi and community organisations, connects affected whānau with essential resources, ensuring Māori communities can effectively navigate recovery processes.
Looking forward
Auckland Council remains committed to working alongside Māori communities and stakeholders, with plans to refine the Māori Outcomes Fund and the Kia Ora Tāmaki Makaurau framework to better meet the needs of the growing Māori population in Auckland.
Tumuaki Huanga Māori Nick Turoa, who leads the council’s Ngā Mātārae (Māori Outcomes) directorate, expressed optimism, noting that continued collaboration will help shape an Auckland that honours Māori heritage and supports inclusive prosperity.
“We’re inspired by the positive impact that our collective efforts are having, and we look forward to driving further innovations in Māori outcomes, with the goal of creating a thriving Tāmaki Makaurau for all,” he says.
About the report
The Māori Outcomes Report 2023/2024 is the sixth in an annual series that tracks Auckland Council's progress in achieving Māori outcomes, wellbeing and cultural aspirations across the region. With a focus on transparency and accountability, each report offers insights into the council’s achievements, challenges and future directions.
Read the full report: Te Pūrongo a Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau Ngā Huanga Māori 2023-2024: Auckland Council Group Māori Outcomes Report.
