53130 (2025). Debbie Ngarewa-Packer to the Minister for Social Development and Employment

53130 (2025). Debbie Ngarewa-Packer to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What support, if any, is the Government providing to ensure the continuity of Māori-led food and wellbeing initiatives such as Te Whare Pūkai, which were established in response to COVID-19 and have continued to serve vulnerable communities?

Hon Louise Upston: As per Ministry guidance, MSD, in its mandate as a social development agency, has been supportive of Māori-led initiatives. Specifically focusing on food support, the Food Secure Communities (FSC) Programme delegates flexibility to its providers and partners to lead initiatives that work best in serving the specific needs of vulnerable populations in different regions in New Zealand. In relation to food support, and initiatives such as Te Whare Pūkai, the Government reprioritised $15 million through Budget 2025 to support the maintenance of the existing community food distribution infrastructure at national, regional, and local levels.