29492 (2026). Debbie Ngarewa-Packer to the Minister of Climate Change

29492 (2026). Debbie Ngarewa-Packer to the Minister of Climate Change: What alternative funding mechanisms, if any, does the Government intent to provide to support marae climate-resilience initiatives previously funded through the Māori Climate Platform?

Hon Simon Watts: The Government recognises the role marae play in supporting community resilience. Marae and Māori communities can access existing funding mechanisms to support climate resilience, including the following: • The Māori Development Fund received $5.3 million in Budget 2026 and is administered by Te Puni Kōkiri. The fund provides grants to support iwi, Māori organisations, and whanau-centred initiatives to support infrastructure, capability, and resilience outcomes. Funding can be used for projects that strengthen community resilience, including marae-based infrastructure and preparedness initiatives that support social, cultural, and economic outcomes. • The Civil Defence Emergency Management Resilience Fund is administered by the National Emergency Management Agency and supports projects that improve local and regional resilience to hazards, including preparedness, response capability, and community-led initiatives. The fund prioritises projects that strengthen community resilience and emergency management capability, which includes marae as community hubs. These funds operate alongside other local and central government programmes that support infrastructure upgrades and community preparedness for climate-related hazards. The Government continues to consider how existing funding tools and future policy settings can better support resilience outcomes for marae and Māori communities.