Green Party Proposes $2.4 Billion Permanent Infrastructure Fund for Marae

The Green Party has announced one of the most significant Māori infrastructure proposals for the upcoming Election 2026, pledging a $2.4 billion permanent fund to support marae across Aotearoa. As reported by Waatea News on 15 August 2026, the 'Te Waonui a Tāne: Thriving Marae and Thriving Communities' policy seeks to move marae away from a reliance on temporary government grants toward a model of self-sustaining financial independence. The proposal is structured around two distinct pools of capital. The first, known as the Te Rākau Whakarauora Restoration Fund, is designed to address immediate needs such as building upgrades, emergency preparedness, and the protection of wāhi tapu. The second and largest component is the $2 billion Te Tōtara Haemata Intergenerational Fund. This seeded investment fund would be owned and governed by hapū and iwi, with the goal of generating long-term returns to support marae operations for decades to come. According to the Green Party's modelling, the $2 billion investment could grow to approximately $3.8 billion by the 2039/40 period, potentially distributing between $47 million and $118 million annually to Māori communities. This shift represents a move toward treating marae as essential national infrastructure, acknowledging the critical role they play as emergency centres during natural disasters and climate-related events. Matthew Tukaki, reporting for Te Kaupapa, notes that the policy highlights the urgent need for climate adaptation. Current data suggests that approximately one in three marae face significant flood or landslide risks. By establishing a permanent trust rather than a Crown-administered grant system, the policy aims to ensure that those who maintain these vital community hubs have the resources to protect their whakapapa, reo, and tikanga against future challenges.