New Zealand's Finance Minister has told a gathering of Pasifika and Maori business people they can expect more assistance in future budgets.
On Tuesday, Grant Robertson attended a post-Budget brunch with members of Wellington's Maori and Pasifika business networks.
Mr Robertson told them that his first budget, released last month, was about rebuilding critical public services.
Finance Minister Grant Robertson addresses the Wellington Pacific and Maori business community Photo: RNZ Pacific / Moera Tuilaepa-Taylor
However he said while there wasn't specific assistance towards Pasifika business, their communities would be affected by universal programmes like the Families Package which aims to improve incomes for low-and middle-income families with children.
"While we call something like the Families Package universal, actually Maori and Pasifika whanau will actually benefit from it far more than non-Maori and Pasifika whanau so that actually, while it is a universal programme, has a targeted impact," Mr Robertson said.
The Families Package includes tax credits for young families, winter energy payment programmes and an increase in various benefits as well as paid parental leave.
Mr Robertson said more assistance would follow over the next few years.
"Rome was not built in a day.
"This is the first of three budgets this term and I hope more in the next terms to come. I am a fan of cricket and in particular test cricket and governing is test cricket," the minister said.
"It is not Twenty-20, it is not a One Day International, it is about building strong foundations and following through on that during a sustained period of time."
The post-Budget meeting was organised by the Te Awe - the Wellington Maori Business Network and the Wellington Pasifika Business Network.
