Te Ao Māori

Auckland Maori project spending lags

07:18 am on 9 May 2014

The chair of the Independent Maori Statutory Board in Auckland says Auckland Council isn't spending the money it needs to fulfil Maori projects.

The council's budget committee agreed on Thursday that its six top Maori projects were all on track.

They include developing a signature Maori event, adding Maori signage or artwork to walking and cycling routes and setting up a Maori initiative.

Board chair David Taipari said the projects were not on track.

Four out of six of the projects didn't spend their target in the last annual budget.

He said expenditure relating to these activities wais under budget which meant the council had not been spending to achieve.

Mr Taipari said a plan to develop a signature Maori event had been on the cards for three years now, and was still not complete.