Mana food costings way too low
Tuesday, 21st November, 2011
Don't send Hone Harawira to do your grocery shopping.
That's the warning from Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples.
On Radio Waatea yesterday, Mr Harawira said Man's plan to feed every child in decile one to five schools would cost $38 million a year.
Dr Sharples says the cost for the 300 thousand plus students is closer to $500 million a year.
He says the money spent turning schools into food banks would be better spent setting up families to care for the well-being of their tamariki.
Dr Sharples says for just $1 million, his ministry has established more than 500 maara kai or community gardens so people can rediscover the skills of growing their own food in a Maori way.
He says Maori have to move out of the deficit thinking where families abdicate their responsibilities and let the state take over the basic functions of family life.
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