Post by Roderick on Oct 26, 2009 10:40:10 GMT 12
By TIM DONOGHUE - The Dominion Post Last updated 05:00 26/10/2009SharePrint Text Size Relevant offers
Maori have set up their own construction company to negotiate major contracts and cash in on the millions of dollars in construction work flowing from Treaty of Waitangi settlement deals.
But established contractors fear the new company could be awarded sweetheart government and local government contract work.
Former rugby league player Tawera Nikau has set up Aotearoa Construction and aims to have his company obtain Housing New Zealand, Work and Income and Economic Development Ministry contract work.
This was confirmed in promotional material distributed to delegates at the Federation of Maori Authorities (Foma) meeting in Wellington at the weekend.
His company would push for work under a Local Government Act clause that requires local authorities to consult with Maori and involve them in decision-making processes.
The former Kiwis star anticipated working with iwi on the construction of schools, hospitals, Maori state homes, medical centres and local government facilities.
Major construction contracts tied to Maori development tended to be directed towards the established players in the construction industry.
But Mr Nikau aims to change this so Maori have more employment opportunities and can participate more fully in the industry.
Contractors Federation president Dave Jewell said members of the Maori community were already a valued and respected mainstay of the construction industry.
"If they are talking about doing sweetheart deals it would be an absolute distortion to an industry which is renowned to be competitive and fair. Our federation would be vehement in our opposition to such a thing.
"We have a healthy tender process which makes sure local government and central government get good value for money out of tendering," Mr Jewell said.
Mr Nikau's promotional material says strategic partnerships with Maori organisations would provide greater employment and self-determination opportunities.
"Aotearoa Construction will be a natural partner in these ventures," the promotional material says.
"There is currently no Maori construction provider for councils and government to consider for tendering and delivering on performance."
Foma's new chief executive, Rino Tirikatene, said the creation of a Maori construction company made sound economic sense. He envisaged such a company being able to work closely with such organisations as the Wellington Tenths Trust and the Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust.
Both organisations owned substantial land assets and had close government and local government contacts in the Wellington region.
A Maori construction company would also be well placed to capitalise on possible future central North Island construction project work following the July 1 $500 million Treelords settlement.
...and now we get screwed
Maori have set up their own construction company to negotiate major contracts and cash in on the millions of dollars in construction work flowing from Treaty of Waitangi settlement deals.
But established contractors fear the new company could be awarded sweetheart government and local government contract work.
Former rugby league player Tawera Nikau has set up Aotearoa Construction and aims to have his company obtain Housing New Zealand, Work and Income and Economic Development Ministry contract work.
This was confirmed in promotional material distributed to delegates at the Federation of Maori Authorities (Foma) meeting in Wellington at the weekend.
His company would push for work under a Local Government Act clause that requires local authorities to consult with Maori and involve them in decision-making processes.
The former Kiwis star anticipated working with iwi on the construction of schools, hospitals, Maori state homes, medical centres and local government facilities.
Major construction contracts tied to Maori development tended to be directed towards the established players in the construction industry.
But Mr Nikau aims to change this so Maori have more employment opportunities and can participate more fully in the industry.
Contractors Federation president Dave Jewell said members of the Maori community were already a valued and respected mainstay of the construction industry.
"If they are talking about doing sweetheart deals it would be an absolute distortion to an industry which is renowned to be competitive and fair. Our federation would be vehement in our opposition to such a thing.
"We have a healthy tender process which makes sure local government and central government get good value for money out of tendering," Mr Jewell said.
Mr Nikau's promotional material says strategic partnerships with Maori organisations would provide greater employment and self-determination opportunities.
"Aotearoa Construction will be a natural partner in these ventures," the promotional material says.
"There is currently no Maori construction provider for councils and government to consider for tendering and delivering on performance."
Foma's new chief executive, Rino Tirikatene, said the creation of a Maori construction company made sound economic sense. He envisaged such a company being able to work closely with such organisations as the Wellington Tenths Trust and the Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust.
Both organisations owned substantial land assets and had close government and local government contacts in the Wellington region.
A Maori construction company would also be well placed to capitalise on possible future central North Island construction project work following the July 1 $500 million Treelords settlement.
...and now we get screwed
