Greens propose $2.4b marae fund: 'When roads close, marae stay open'

<p>Marae would receive funding through a $2.44 billion permanent trust owned and governed by hapū and iwi under a Greens policy which the party says would end reliance on short-term government funding cycles.</p> <p>Te Waonui a Tāne, the party's proposed 2026 Tiriti policy, would create Te Rangatiratanga Trust with dedicated Crown funding of $1.22 billion a year paid over two years.</p> <p>The trust would run two complementary funds. Te Rākau Whakarauora Restoration Fund would receive $400 million over four years for priorities such as restoring buildings, emergency preparedness, climate adaptation and protecting taonga and wāhi tapu.</p> <p><b></b><a href="https://www.tvnz.co.nz/player/newsclip/greens-pitch-24b-marae-fund-for-emergency-response-and-investment" target="_blank"><b>Greens pitch $2.4b marae fund for emergency response and investment - Watch on TVNZ+</b></a></p> <p>The party pointed to marae opening their doors during crises, from the Christchurch and Kaikōura earthquakes to severe weather in Gisborne and Northland, while facing ageing buildings and fragmented funding across multiple agencies.</p> <p>A further $2 billion would…