South Aucklanders share opinions on Government spending ahead of Budget Day

Health and education are at the top of the list of concerns for voters in South Auckland ahead of Budget Day, with experts pessimistic about targeted support for Pacific communities.

In interviews with PMN News, people have shared their views on what the Government should be spending its money on, with the majority emphasising a need for housing security and healthcare.

Some South Aucklanders argue that the Government should do more to support communities experiencing hardship, and that targeted support for young people should be a priority.

A young Mangere resident says they do not think the Government has done enough to address homelessness, and says young people should be an ongoing focus.

“The Government should be spending their money on the younger generation,” she says.

A stay-at-home mum says stable access to healthcare and income support are a priority, citing the cost of living as a cause of increased pressure.

“Being a stay-at-home mum at the moment and living on one income from my partner, it is really difficult to make everything stretch, even when you have free healthcare for bubs.”

A Manukau resident adds that it is crucial to find homes for homeless people.

“The price of homes needs to come down so we can all afford it, because at the moment, you know, it's ridiculous.”

Meanwhile, young people overwhelmingly believe in the importance of education, with one individual from Onehunga stating that a robust education system is integral to New Zealand’s future.

“I think the Government should spend money on education because it is the foundation of a country and how the country will develop in the coming years.”

Watch the full pre-Budget perspectives below.

Richard Pamatatau, Senior Lecturer in Social Sciences and Humanities at Auckland University of Technology, says the lack of Pacific advocacy in the Coalition Government will speak volumes on Thursday.

“I don't think there will be much in this Budget for the Pacific population, specifically because there doesn't seem to be some strong advocacy within the National-led coalition for the Pacific population,” he says.

Repeka Lelaulu, President of PACIFICA Inc., spoke with John Pulu on Pacific Mornings about the Government's amendments to the Equal Pay Act and its impacts on Pacific women, and provided some pre-Budget Day insights.

Lelaulu says the Government must endeavour to work with Pasifika to ensure the best outcomes, citing the Equal Pay Amendment Act as a significant step back for Pasifika women.

“They need us to be there with them, and they need to show some compassion and empathy towards us,” she says. “We're the workforce.”

Equal pay was a concern cited by an individual interviewed, who noted that it is an important area of discussion, especially since Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the amendment could save the government ‘billions’.

Watch Repeka Lelaulu's full interview below.

Lelaulu, critical of the Government's recent actions on pay equity, says its actions foretell a waning commitment to Māori and Pacific communities.

“They've been very clear with their message and how they feel about our Pacific communities, not only the Pacific communities, but the Māori communities and other ethnic groups,” she says.

Last week, the Government announced that $140 million will go toward addressing high rates of truancy in schools.

Pamatatau says the ongoing focus should be on why chronic absenteeism occurs, noting that some children may have to fulfil other household responsibilities, including supporting their families through work.

“We need to take into account that some of those kids who are not going to school might be doing other duties if their parents are working a couple of split shifts,” he says.

“Their lives are much more complicated, and getting them to school is not the answer on its own. There are lots of cross-cutting issues that need to be sorted.”

Listen to Richard Pamatatau's full interview below.

The investment in truancy will be allocated to providing need-based support services and individual case management, as necessary.

Pamatatau criticises the Government's rhetoric in the lead-up to Budget Day, arguing that it is misleading for the Government to equate government debt with household debt.

He says the Government should stake an alternative vision, but adds this will not come while the Finance Minister prioritises a budget surplus.

“Willis often talks about the Government trying to do things just as a family balances its budget. The function of government is not the same as a family, so I would like to see a more inspirational approach, a more imaginative approach to things.”