Budget 2021

Manatū Wāhine Ministry for Women has received additional funding in Budget 2021. This additional funding will be used to support claimant funding with the hearings of the Mana Wāhine Kaupapa Inquiry (3.75 million over three years); partly fund the Gender Pay Taskforce ($2 million over five years) and support IT and accommodation and costs ($2.1 million over five years).

The current Waitangi Tribunal tūāpapa (contextual) hearings relate to the Mana Wāhine Kaupapa Inquiry where claimants present their evidence as part of this formal inquiry process. This claimant funding initiative provides financial support for claimant witnesses and support people to attend the hearings. 

The Ministry contributes to the programme of addressing pay equity and reducing the gender pay gap in the public service by continuing to fund the Gender Pay Taskforce in partnership with Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission.

The Ministry faces cost pressures relating to increased accommodation and IT costs due to increases in rents and funding improved reliability and security for IT services. These costs are unavoidable for the Ministry to ensure it meets government security and building requirements.

The additional Budget 2021 funding will be in the Ministry’s budget from the 2021/2022 financial year and the Ministry will implement each of these initiatives within its work programme and operations.