Breaking Views: Mole News Archive

From the NZCPR archives by Dr Muriel Newman
Race-based Water Rights a Step Closer
Water is being targeted by the Maori elite as the next resource to control. The influential Iwi Leaders Group is pushing ahead with their demand for a proprietary right to freshwater. They want a preferential allocation – in perpetuity – that can be commercialised. They say it’s their right under the Treaty of Waitangi. But it’s not – it’s just another attempted money grab and unfortunately our political leaders are allowing them to get away with it.

Ngapuhi’s David Rankin expresses it this way, “Prior to the arrival of Europeans in New Zealand, Maori never owned water. And even after Europeans arrived, Maori never owned water. So there is no cultural basis or historical precedent for the claim. Neither is it a Treaty right.

“This is just a case of opportunism, and on the basis of the foreshore and seabed issue, Maori have learned that if we keep pushing for the right to something, eventually, a weak Government will give in and hand it over to us. This is how iwi corporations have secured Auckland’s mountains, national parks, the foreshore and seabed, mining rights, forestry rights, and radio frequencies.”

The current situation is that while the Prime Minister continues to reassure the public that, “In terms of ownership of water, the Government’s position is very clear – no one owns water”, government Ministers are planning on giving iwi special rights over water that are tantamount to ownership.

What’s worse, they intend passing the responsibility for such allocations on to Regional Councils – no doubt in the hope of avoiding a political backlash: “In a Cabinet paper, Nick Smith points to possible ‘catchment by catchment’ deals at a regional government level. The Crown has acknowledged Maori interests and rights in freshwater but their extent and nature is at issue. The Government may set criteria by which local iwi can get preferential access to water, catchment by catchment.”

The reform of freshwater management was first put on the political agenda by the former Labour government in 2006 through their Sustainable Water Programme of Action. It has been continued by National’s Land and Water Forum…..
Continue reading HERE
April 19, 2015

Maori language bill passes final hurdle: what does it do?

So could this stop the downward spiral? Let's look at what the bill will do...

It affirms Te Reo Maori as a taonga (treasure).

The bill acknowledges how the Crown has historically "denied and suppressed" the right of Maori to use their own language, said Flavell.

Now the language is formally valued by the nation.

It also highlights iwi and Maori as official kaitaki (guardians) of the language.

It sets up a new independent Maori language entity.

Te Matawai will help the Government develop Maori language strategies to increase uptake. This means focusing on increasing fluency as well as the number of people who speak it.

There will be 13 members on the board: seven from iwi, four from Maori language stakeholder organisations, and two chosen by the Maori Development Minister.

Government ministers of Maori Development, Education, Finance and Culture and Heritage would meet with iwi stakeholders to discuss priorities.

Te Matawai will control some functions of other Maori agencies.

Te Matawai will take over its functions from the Maori Television Electoral College, which manages stakeholder interests in Maori Television.

The Maori Language Commission will still exist to focus on Government initiatives. However, the responsibility for $7.5million funding of community programmes research will eventually move to Te Matawai.

The Maori broadcasting funder, Te Mangai Paho, will have recommendations on three out of five board members to be nominated to the Minister by the new agency. Its functions remain the same.

Stakeholder interests in Maori Television will be managed by the new agency, taking over from Te Putahi Paoho (the Maori Television Electoral College). It will be disestablished…..

See full article HERE

A futher article on the above HERE

NZers should have free entry to Treaty Grounds - Peters

NZ First leader Winston Peters says New Zealanders should not have to pay to visit the Treaty Grounds at Waitangi.

The Waitangi National Trust charges $20 a head for a day pass, which includes a guided tour and cultural performance.

Overseas visitors pay $40.

Mr Peters told a Greypower audience in Kerikeri today that Waitangi was the country's most historic place, and entry for New Zealanders should be free….

See full article HERE

'If we don't act now the Māori language will die'

Te reo ki tua, the Ngāti Kahungunu Māori language symposium, is a new initiative to further enhance the tribe's Māori Language strategy.

Ngāti Kahungunu hopes to revitalise the Māori language by 2027.

The number of Māori able to hold a conversation in te reo was down 3.7 percent from 1996 to 2013. Many of those who could speak te reo were older, with 43 percent of Māori aged 75 and over able to speak te reo, compared to 20 percent of those aged 15 to 29……

See full article HERE

Tribunal silenced on land law reform

Waitangi claimants have been left fuming after Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell introduced the Ture Whenua Maori Bill shutting down any further opportunity for the Waitangi Tribunal to scrutinise the proposed reforms.

The tribunal started a judicial conference yesterday on whether it should grant urgency into a claim about the government’s response to last month’s tribunal report on the land law reform package.

Deputy Chief Judge Patrick Savage adjourned it for a day when lawyers for the crown said they could not say when the bill would be introduced.

Four hours later Mr Flavell tabled the bill in parliament, meaning the tribunal is barred from considering it…..

See full article HERE

John Tamihere, CEO Waipareira Trust, Maori Televison Board member.

John Tamihere says charter schools allow Maori to demonstrate how they want mainstream education to change.

A bill by Labour’s Education spokesperson Chris Hipkins to abolish the charter school model has been drawn from the ballot but John Tamihere says charter schools allow Maori to demonstrate how they want mainstream education to change….

See full article HERE

Pukeatua quarry applicant's resource consent rejected

A resource consent applicant is stunned his proposal to reopen a historic quarry was rejected on the strength of oral history.

Palmerston North's Dr Don Stewart was scathing regarding the decision by independent commissioners for the Waikato Regional Council to decline his proposal to mine for blue metal aggregate at the Pukeatua quarry south of Cambridge.

"I am stunned and shattered that it was made on that basis . . . that in spite of archeological and other evidence that we've gathered from experts and some documentary evidence, oral history from Maori with mana must take precedence over any other evidence," Stewart said.

But oral history is an important part of Maori knowledge transmission, said Ngati Koroki Kahukura spokesman Rahui Papa…..

See full article HERE

Waikato-Tainui release their first iwi education strategy

In a first, Waikato-Tainui have signed an education covenant with some mainstream secondary schools within its wider region. Te Arataura chair says today marks an important step towards fulfilling the tribe's education strategy, for all its members 15 years and over, to have an education qualification by 2050.

The start of a new partnership between Waikato-Tainui and these 14 mainstream schools.

The schools come from within the wider Waikato-Tainui region, such as Papakura High in the north, down to schools in Hamilton, including Raglan area school in the west and Matamata High School in the east.

“We will supply teaching resources for the schools that align firstly with the New Zealand curriculum, secondly with our iwi curriculum, which we've developed,” says Papa.

A total of 27 schools are here today. The desire from those who are not a part of the covenant, is to join as soon as they can.

In time, the tribe hopes all 35 secondary schools within its boundary, will be a part of the initiative….

See full article HERE

Futher article on the above - HRC welcomes partnership between Waikato Tainui and local schools HERE

Board role best way to influence curriculum

Education Minister Hekia Parata says if Maori want their history to be taught in schools, they should stand in next month's school board elections.

Ms Parata says many people don't understand New Zealand's self-managing approach to education, where the curriculum identifies basic values and learning areas, and schools make their own decisions about how to achieve the desired outcomes.

"One of the ways that local whanau, hapu, iwi can be more directive in the sorts of topics that might be taught at their kids' schools is to run for the board. It happens every three years. I have now twice encouraged Maori to get involved in their local board election, get on the board, to be get involved in the discussion about what is taught, what they want to see happening and how they can help that occur," she says….

See full article HERE

Maori are least likely to get professional post-natal support

Maori are less likely to receive the post-natal support they are entitled to than other groups of New Zealanders, a seminar at Parliament hosted by Green MP Marama Davidson will be told today.

“The report Maori Narratives of Poverty and Resilience, which we will release at Parliament, tells us that while Maori struggle with poverty, Maori cultural values are very central to their sense of wellbeing. When relationships in the whanau are harmonious, when they focus on Maori culture and language, then they have a sense of wellbeing.

“Our hope is that heath services will take the findings of the report to help them shape their services, so that they are more responsive to Maori.”

Dr Carla Houkamau from the University of Auckland is one of the authors of the report. She says that unconsciously health services make assumptions about what is best for Maori.

“The concept of Unconscious Bias is starting to circulate in New Zealand following admissions by the New Zealand Police that they demonstrate an unconscious bias towards Maori,” Dr Houkamau said today.

“We need to expand discussions of Unconscious Bias into the health sector. Unconscious Bias occurs when a health care provider automatically or unconsciously classifies a patient as a member of a group, applies stereotypes to the patient based on their group membership, and makes decisions based on those biases.”

Dr Houkamau told the seminar that the government needs to invest in Unconscious Bias training for health providers so that health workers can develop new strategies to work with Maori and a range of other cultural groups….

See full article HERE

The Labour Party has joined the Maori Party in reconsidering its support for a law change which will establish a massive marine sanctuary in the Kermadec Islands.

Labour leader Andrew Little said his party was "very concerned" about a legal challenge by Maori fisheries group Te Ohu Kaimoana, which said the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary breached a historic fisheries agreement between iwi and the Crown.

"We haven't got to the point of withdrawing our support but we certainly ... share those concerns," Mr Little said at Parliament today.

Co-leader Marama Fox reiterated today that its support for the bill was not guaranteed. The party was talking to iwi with interests in the Kermadecs before it determined its position.

"We supported the idea of a sanctuary," she said. "But the Government has been negligent in getting consent and getting consultation with all of the iwi involved."

The Act Party has also said that it could vote against the bill, on the grounds that the no-take reserve infringes on fishing rights without offering compensation.

If Labour, the Maori Party, and Act withdrew their support, National could still pass the bill with support from the Greens, United Future, and New Zealand First.

Prime Minister John Key yesterday said that the Government intended to press on despite the court action. The sanctuary was expected to be in place by November…..

See full article HERE

Status quo working, Maori say

Local Maori and Dunedin's mayor believe the council's present arrangement works better than the Maori Party's proposal to establish mandatory Maori wards on every district and city council.

However, Te Runanga o Otakou kaumatua Edward Ellison said the establishment of a mandatory Maori ward on the Dunedin City Council could have unintended negative side-effects.

‘‘One person within whatever size of that council isn't very effective,'' he said.

‘‘That doesn't do much, in my view. You would need more than one.''

The establishment of such a ward could also meet with a negative public response and compromise the working arrangement between Maori and the council.

‘‘The principles behind it are right, but the practicalities of these things are a much different matter,'' he said.

‘‘Currently, we are favouring the working relationship.'' …

See full article HERE

Maori ward polls racist

"Why is it Government that when a council resolves to establish a Maori ward, that decision goes to a binding petition and a poll. Other wards that councils resolve to establish don't. That is what has taken me through to the United Nations to challenge because it is not only divisive and unfair, it can be racist," Mr Judd says……

See full article HERE

NZ First pulls Kermadec sanctuary support

New Zealand First says it will no longer support a law change to create an ocean sanctuary around the Kermadec Islands.

The New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says the sanctuary breaches a 1992 Māori Fisheries Settlement and he does not support the Government breaking its word…..

See full article HERE

Iwi want first right of refusal on land sales

Tauranga Maori iwi and hapu groups are seeking the right of first refusal whenever the city council wants to dispose of surplus land.

The rewording of a council policy making it clear there would be no right of first refusal granted to tangata whenua met with resistance from prominent Maori yesterday.

Four representatives put their views to councillors during the hearing of submissions on the draft policy that sets out how the council would handle tangata whenua approaches for its surplus land.

The policy was triggered by Maori seeking ownership of the reserve at the base of Mauao holding the Mount Hot Pools, the Beachside Holiday Park and the Mount Surf Live Saving Club's pavilion.

Puhirake Ihaka of Tauranga's Tangata Whenua Collective said it was their understanding that tangata whenua would be given the right of first refusal on land that was special to Maori and land that was not so significant……

See full article HERE

Government to consider petition for Maori seats on all district councils

Should there be a Maori seat on each district council?

The Maori Party will present a petition that calls for laws to be reviewed in an effort to have better Maori representation in local government.

The party's co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell supported the petition brought by New Plymouth mayor Andrew Judd….

See full article HERE

Ad asking whether one race should control fresh water labelled as 'nonsense'

Should one race control New Zealand's freshwater? That was the question asked by an ad in Saturday's Weekend Herald.

It goes on to say that it's only a matter of time before iwi demand a royalty every time a tap is turned on.

The advertisement asks whether one race should control New Zealand's freshwater.

So what does the co-chair of the Freshwater Iwi Leaders group make of the ad?

Sir Mark Solomon says, "It's nonsense, there has never been a proposal put on the table by either side that iwi have the total right of veto against all water."

Authorised by the New Zealand Centre for Political Research (NZCPR), the ad is the most recent of 21 that have been published throughout the country since November last year.

At the helm of the advertisement is former ACT Leader Don Brash who attacked Māori in a provocative speech at Orewa in 2004.

Don Brash says, "It's not racist at all, on the contrary what we're saying is the Government itself is proposing a policy which is racist by giving a particular group based on race a right to allocate water. We think that's totally contrary to what everything New Zealand Stands for."

However according to Brash, "It is not misinformed and it is not nonsense. I mean the Government has made it quite clear that they want to involve iwi in the decision making about the allocation of freshwater."

See full article HERE

Flavell's Petition: Serious Departure From Democracy

In response to Maori Party Co-Leader Te Ururoa Flavell’s call for mandatory Maori wards on every district council in New Zealand, Democracy Action Chair Lee Short says:

“Mr Flavell’s petition calls for a serious and unwelcome departure from New Zealand’s democratic and egalitarian principles.”

“Such arrangements, whereby our elected representatives, who are accountable to the public, share rights and powers with a group of non-elected citizens, undermines the foundations of elective democracy and equality between members of society,” Mr. Short says.

“This proposal would further entrench separatism whereby different ethnicities, based on heredity, enjoy unearned privileges which are not available to all New Zealanders."

"Mr Flavell is reported in this morning's NZ Herald as saying 5% of the voting public can challenge any decision related to Maori representation. That is simply not true. The 5% he is referring to is what was necessary to get the opportunity to have a referendum to vote on Maori wards."

"When the citizens of New Plymouth last year voted on the council's decision to introduce a Maori ward, this was overturned in a landslide vote, with 83% of voters voting against the creation of the ward. There is a stark difference between 5% and 83%. It would be appreciated if Mr Flavell would stop manipulating statistics."

"Mr Flavell’s petition suggests a bypass of democracy’s prospect of ejection of the powerful by those subject to the power, for non-performance or abuse of that power.”

“One of the most precious gifts entrusted to our elected representatives is that they respect our democracy, and the equality of citizenship on which it’s based.”

“Issues of significance to Iwi deserve all due respect, but they must not be used as a vehicle to gain undemocratic privilege over other citizens.”

See full article HERE

MP adds voice to call for dual language signage

Waiariki MP Te Ururoa Flavell backs a call for the Government to introduce mandatory Maori and English signage at places such as banks and airports.

Te reo Maori group Umere wants Maori and English signposting to be used in locations to give effect to Maori as an official language.

See full article HERE

Inquiry to review tūpāpaku processes

A Parliamentary inquiry is to look into how dead members of Māori families are handled.

It comes after many whānau said they are not getting timely access to their tūpāpaku, or dead, before burial.

The Māori Affairs Select Committee will conduct an inquiry into whānau access to, and treatment of, tūpāpaku under the current laws…..

See full article HERE

Ngāpuhi elders discuss potential changes at Waitangi celebrations next year

Ngāpuhi elder Kingi Taurua says he's willing to step down from his roles at Te Tii Marae so Waitangi Day welcomes can run smoothly.

The decision follows a recent meeting of Ngāpuhi leaders.

Kingi Taurua admits he caused a huge stir at Waitangi this year…

See full article HERE

Maori pattern on new $100 note significant to Nelson iwi

The pattern, or kowhaiwhai, on the side of the note is featured inside the wharenui and represents the unity and consensus of the six iwi of the marae in Nelson.

Former Wakatu Marae chief executive Trevor Wilson said it was a "real privilege" for local iwi to be represented on the note and he had been involved in the redesign process which began six years ago…..

See full article HERE

Kaitiakitanga - leaving something for future generations

“Te Ohu Kaimoana’s fight to stop a marine sanctuary in the Kermadec waters fails to understand this is about preserving something for future generations,” says former Minister of Conservation and Associate Maori Affairs, Sandra Lee.

"Te Ohu Kaimoana have a poor conservation record. They openly supported illegal Japanese whale hunting in the United Nations Southern Ocean sanctuary when I was Minister and probably still do. Perhaps they could focus their energy on helping our own unemployed rangatahi to get on the water fishing their own quota instead.” ….

See full article HERE

White water guardians receive blessing

It's a mammoth task for South Auckland's mana whenua to karakia to bless 48 pou whenua and an office block, at the new Vector Wero White Water Park in Manukau.

The pou whenua are situated on both sides of the two rafting courses and will act as guardians for all who use it.

The water that runs throughout the white water facility is from the Waikato river.

The official opening will take place on April the 26th, where the Prime Minister John Key and the Māori King, Kīngi Tuheitia will unveil a plaque….

See full article HERE

Māori Party Leading Its People Astray

The Māori Party’s latest call to establish Māori wards on every district council is simply further leading its people astray, says New Zealand First Leader and MP for Northland Rt Hon Winston Peters.

“Co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell is to present a petition to Parliament from New Plymouth Mayor Andrew Judd to create a Māori ward in New Plymouth.

“This petition is not supported by the New Plymouth people and found no favour in a big public meeting debate last year in which Mr Flavell’s colleague Marama Fox argued for it.

“There are numerous councils around New Zealand, with Māori, Pacific, Chinese and other ethnic backgrounds serving as councillors and mayors, who got there democratically and without tokenistic assistance.

“What the Māori Party advocate is separatism, second class citizenship, tokenism, pigeon holing, and privilege for a Māori elite whilst the mass majority of Māori get nothing from the party’s perverted view of how representation should work….

See full article HERE

Tainui writes history lessons

The government may not be interested in making sure young New Zealanders know their history, but one tribe is determined schoolchildren in its rohe learn about the events that have shaped their social and cultural landscape.

Waikato Tainui chief executive Parekawhia McLean says the iwi will this month sign a partnership agreement with 14 secondary schools in Waikato and South Auckland setting mutual education objectives.

The Education Ministry has ruled out making the New Zealand wars of the 19th century part of the curriculum, because they say schools must be free to choose what they teach.

Ms McLean says the iwi will make that choice easier.

" We’re developing a resource which we hope to launch in partnership with our Kawenata Schools, which will be used for curricula, so it will be our own Waikato Tainui raupatu, Kingitanga korero which those schools will then use in their own history curricula, social studies and so on, so we're not waiting for the government, we're getting on with it," she says.

Parekawhia McLean says more than 80 percent of Waikato Tainui children will go through mainstream secondary schools, so that’s where the effort needs to go to lift achievement.

See article HERE

Ngāti Paoa plan to build marae in East Auckland

Ngāti Paoa are planning to build a new marae at Pt England, East Auckland. The tribe’s treaty negotiator, Hauāuru Eugene told Te Kāea exclusively, this will be part of the redress under their claim, which is close to being finalised.

This is where Ngāti Paoa plan to build a new marae as part of their tribal strategy.

Two hectares of land will be ear marked as a part of the tribes treaty claim.

“Firstly, we want to have the land returned to us. Secondly are working with the community, council, government and all sectors surrounding the marae,” says Rawiri.

Ngāti Paoa have three marae. Wharekawa Marae in Kaiaua, Waiti Marae in Tahuna, and Makomako Marae in Pukorokoro near Miranda. This will be the first based in Auckland.

Rawiri says, “Our ancestors resided there. Our ancestor Paoa envisioned that his descendants would return to live there. We also know that people from different cultures live there, that's okay. What can we do to help them achieve their aspirations and businesses, all those things.”

Hauāuru estimates the cost to build will be more than half a million dollars - that will also be a legacy for future generations…..

See full article HERE

Funding boost for Omaka Marae in Marlborough

A funding boost will help Omaka Marae, in Blenheim, investigate options for setting up a school at the marae.

Seven new roles have been established at the marae with seed funding from Te Putahitanga o Te Waipounamu, the South Island Whanau Ora commissioning agency.

The new jobs are all on a part-time or contract basis and include two new roles established to look at the possibility of setting up a Maori school at Omaka Marae….

See full article HERE

Maori come together against Kermadec sanctuary

A group of high profile Maori elders are fighting back against the Government's plan for an ocean sanctuary in the Kermadec islands -- and are taking the issue to court.

Led by Sir Tipene O'Regan, the group says the sanctuary removes fishing rights promised under a Treaty settlement in 1992.

That settlement allows Maori to fish in the 620,000sqkm area -- a right the elders say will be removed under the proposed sanctuary….

See full article HERE

The Maori Party is calling for a "long overdue" law change to establish Maori wards on every district council in New Zealand.

Co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell will present a petition to Parliament at the urging of New Plymouth Mayor Andrew Judd, who championed the creation of a Maori ward in his city - a move blocked by a public vote last year.

Under existing legislation, councils can choose to establish Maori wards. However, if 5 per cent of voters sign a petition opposed to such a move, the decision then goes to a binding referendum.

Maori representation on local government has been a heated issue at times, with parties divided at the last general election.

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters said Maori wards were separatist - a stance backed by the Act and Conservative parties - while National and Labour were not opposed to councils establishing Maori wards if they wished……

See full article HERE

Māori urban design expert joins the council

This week Auckland Council welcomed new staff member Phil Wihongi. Phil joins the council as the Māori Design Leader for the Auckland Design Office

Phil's role will include working with the Auckland Design Office, council-controlled organisation collagues, mana whenua and Māori design industry professionals to incorporate Māori design into the heart of the organisation and the fabric of Auckland.

This role has been advocated for quite some time by mana whenua and the Māori
design community. Having someone in this role will provide a face and contact within Auckland Council for these groups and will establish a Māori design champion within the Auckland Design Office

This role is the first of its kind in this country, and is an exciting moment for Māori….

See full article HERE

NZ Land Wars not compulsory learning - Minister

It should not be compulsory for the history of the land wars to be taught in schools, Education Minister Hekia Parata says, because "it is not the New Zealand way".

The petition attracted 12,000 signatures, but the Ministry of Education responded by said that schools already had the tools they needed.

Today Education Minister Hekia Parata, speaking to RNZ's Maori issues correspondent Mihingarangi Forbes on TV3's The Hui - maintained that position….

See full article HERE

Taranaki woman appointed as student editor of 2016 Maori Law Review

A Taranaki law student has been appointed to a role to help put together a monthly Maori legal publication.

Indiana Shewen, of Te Atiawa and Ngati Mutunga, is the 2016 student editor of the Maori Law Review, which looks at how legal issues affect tangata whenua.

Shewen said the role meant a lot to her and was a chance to use her knowledge to develop a deeper understanding of the legal issues which impacted on her culture…..

See full article HERE

Pa-wrecking quarry shut down

Independent commissioners acting for Waikato Regional Council have turned down an application for consents to re-open a quarry local iwi say is on an historic pa site.

Commissioners Peter Crawford and Shane Solomon said it was highly probable Hangahanga Pa was located within the Pukeatua quarry site just south of Maungatautari.

Raukawa Charitable Trust, Parawera Marae, Ngati Koroki Kahukura and Ngati Haua opposed the consents….

See full article HERE

Urgent hearing sought before Waitangi Tribunal

Urgent hearing sought before Waitangi Tribunal on Government’s response to report on Crown Maori land reform

An urgent hearing has been sought before the Waitangi Tribunal by 15 individuals on behalf of their hapū and whanau in response to the Crown’s lack of response to the Tribunal’s report on the government’s controversial proposed repeal and replacement of the Te Ture Whenua Maori Act 1993.

The report, released on 11 March 2016, found that the Crown’s proposed bill did not comply with the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi both as to the process the Crown used to develop it and its substance. The Tribunal found that the Crown had not engaged in adequate consultation with Maori. It specifically found that on something as important to Maori as land, it should not be pressing forward without widespread support of Maori.

The claimants say that landlocked land, public works takings, unreasonable rates and poor quality land are the barriers to improved Maori land production and these issues are not addressed by the Crown’s Bill….

See full article HERE

Hawke's Bay Airport name to remain the same until 2018

The contentious name change planned for Hawke’s Bay Airport has been delayed, along with the redevelopment of the airport’s terminal.

The airport’s official name change to Ahuriri Airport Hawke’s Bay – approved after a request from claimant group, Mana Ahuriri – had been scheduled to occur when the $6m-$8million terminal redevelopment was completed, originally scheduled for early next year….

See full article HERE

Kiwibank important to Maori economy

Maori Party co-leader Marama Fox hopes Kiwibank's new part-owners won't change its approach to Maori banking.

The Accident Compensation Corporation and the New Zealand Superannuation Fund are taking a 45 percent stake in the bank for $495 million.

Ms Fox says in 14 years since it was set up the Kiwibank has become important to the Maori economy.

"Kiwibank is the only bank where Maori can get loans for communally-owned land. It is our only state-owned bank. It is one of the last kiwi-owned banks," she says….

See full article HERE

Tainui sells half of The Base

A New Zealand property company has bought half of the country's largest retail centre - Hamilton's The Base - for $192.5 million.

The chairman of the tribe's executive committee, Rahui Papa, said Waikato-Tainui would continue to own the underlying land, and the agreement is that the centre will be returned to the iwi at the end of the 120-year ground lease.

He said it is important that iwi members know that there will be no alienation of tribal land, as the deal was talking about the management of the buildings of the base.

"The whenua or the land is not touched, that remains in Pootatau Te Wherowhero title and as such is owned by Waikato-Tainui….

See full article HERE

DHB head upbeat on changes for mental health unit

An external review of Northland's mental health services has found Whangarei Hospital's Tumanako Inpatient Unit is crisis-driven, practises a medication-driven model of care and staff feel overworked, undervalued and unsafe.

When it came to Maori mental health the DHB should consider having a Maori development leader and for the mental health and addiction team to undertake Maori/cultural responsiveness training…..

See full article HERE

Unlikely alliance over Maori and RMA

Don Brash and Winston Peters formed an unlikely alliance today in protest against what they believe is "preferential treatment" for Maori in new planning laws.

The pair - once sworn enemies - united in criticism of proposals to change the way iwi are consulted in the resource consent process.

He said radical reforms of the RMA would do more than any other single measure to improve New Zealanders' standard of living.

However, the National-led Government's proposals were "pitifully limited" and "barely scratched the surface of what was needed".

The "cost" of progressing these "modest changes" was a significant expansion of iwi rights, he claimed. The bill would "vastly extend" Maori involvement in the planning process by requiring councils to invite Maori to enter into what are known as "iwi participation agreements".

"This is surely a recipe for further delay, for corruption and for anger on the part of the rest of the community," Dr Brash said.

His old party had persisted with the changes despite being offered a "vastly better alternative" by Mr Peters.

The New Zealand First leader has offered to support broader RMA reforms in exchange for removing any iwi-specific provisions. It was "incomprehensible" that Mr Peters' offer was not taken up, Dr Brash said…..

See full article HERE

No iwi involvement in new Special Housing Areas (SHAs)

Housing Minister, Nick Smith has announced 36 new Special Housing Areas within Auckland. Treaty Negotiator for Ngāti Paoa, Hauāuru Rawiri says they will look at the government's latest housing developments and any areas that affect their claim.

The latest 36 Special Housing Areas (SHAs) and last allocation under the Auckland Housing Accord has no iwi involvement.

Minister for Building and Housing Nick Smith says, “In the decision making around Special Housing Area, the ownership is irrelevant, it's a decision about the planning rules that should rightly be blind to the ownership structure.”

But Ngāti Paoa Treaty Negotiator, Hauāuru Rawiri disagrees.

“First of all, the government needs to talk to us, all mana whenua.”…..

See full article HERE

Iwi wants Goldie painting to stay in NZ

Descendants of a Maori chief whose portrait by Goldie was sold for $1.175 million fear the painting will be taken outside of New Zealand.

Ngāti Manawa elder Pem Bird said he received a number of calls yesterday from descendants of Wharekauri Tahuna.

There was a feeling of shock, horror and hurt, he said.

"This is all about money and investment and the question is, do our paintings, do our images, do they belong in that world? Not for us."

The koroua was a special man, a tohunga or expert in karakia and was one of the last in the area to bear a full facial tāmoko, Mr Bird said.

There were fears amongst the whānau that the portrait would be taken overseas.

The Ministry for Culture and Heritage said it would only be involved after the sale because it was a private sale to a private buyer.

But spokesperson Tony Wallace said the piece fell under the Protected Objects Act, which meant a buyer would have to apply to the ministry and receive permission before it could take the work out of the country….

See full article HERE

Don Brash attacks 'preferential treatment' for Maori in RMA reforms

Plans to streamline the Resource Management Act (RMA) are "pathetically limited" and would come at the expense of extending preferential treatment for Maori, former National Party leader Don Brash claims.

NZ First leader Winston Peters again offered to work with the Government on proposed RMA reforms instead of the Maori Party, after Brash addressed Parliament's local government and environment committee on Thursday.

Concessions made by the Government to win Maori Party support for the reforms include giving iwi the right to be consulted "at the front end" of resource management and council planning through Iwi Participation Agreements.

Brash, best known for his controversial Orewa speech in 2004 arguing against special status for Maori, told the committee that the National Party had always accepted fundamental reforms to the RMA were needed.

"If I was asked what single measure the Government could take to raise living standards in New Zealand, I would without hesitation answer, 'Reform the RMA'."

Brash said Peters, who has attacked the Government's compromise with the Maori Party and made overtures to back separate RMA reforms, offered a "vastly better alternative". ….

See full article HERE

Blue Springs supporters apprehensive about café plans

An application to build a cafe on private land near Putaruru's Blue Springs has caused conflict in the small community. Raukawa Settlement Trust has been considering Cheryl Waite's proposal for six-months, but with the increase in visitor numbers, it says it is concerned about the bigger picture and the impact on the environment.

The pure waters of the Blue Springs. Its waters are the reason why the iwi has delayed its response to a cafe application.

The Chair of the Raukawa Settlement Trust, Vanessa Eparaima says, "We absolutely will come back in terms of a response to that application, but let me say, that's part of the bigger picture. The bigger picture is the damage being done to this beautiful pristine area."

Cheryl Waite wants to build a cafe on her private land, a 15-minute walk from the Blue Springs.

"A lot of people would say, let’s go for a swim at the Blue Springs and hopefully have something to eat before we drove home, that was mainly what it was all about. I hope that it provides jobs and that people enjoy it, nice atmosphere."

Last week, a petition against the cafe was started on change.org and has received more than 2500 signatures.

Te Kāea interviewed visitors from the Blue Springs who said they were fifty-fifty about the proposal, while some say a café is a great idea, they also agreed it was nice to have a secluded spot….

See full article HERE

More protection for young in CYF overhaul

Sixty per cent of the 5139 children in state care at the end of 2015 were Maori. More than one in every three (35 per cent) of Maori children born from 2005 to 2007 were reported to CYF before reaching school age, compared with 11 per cent of non-Maori children…..

See full article HERE

Art for clean water at Whangarei

The artist Tawera Tahuri joined nine young people between seven and 16, and others from Gisborne, in the hikoi to the Beehive late last month.

They met environmental activist Mike Smith, who is known for chopping down a protected pine tree on One Tree Hill in Auckland in protest at government limitations on Maori treaty settlements.

He shared his experiences and spoke to them about tikanga and its importance in Maori activism, she said….

See full article HERE

Land offer after iwi deal labelled racist

A proposed local bill designed to allow leasees to freehold the land under their homes is racist, a leaseholders' representative says.

Waitara Leaseholders Association secretary Eric Williams said the deal the New Plymouth District Council offered to Te Atiawa for the 700 sections in 2014 was far more attractive than the one now being offered to leasees.

"They are talking about unimproved value, which talking to them is government valuation, and that means it will cost me $100,000 [to freehold] and that's the same land they offered to iwi at under $30,000.

"And as far as I'm concerned that is just a racist thing."….

See full article HERE

Bill change recognises Crown's damage to Te Reo

There's support for a change to a Government Bill to acknowledge the damage of past Crown policies and stance around the speaking of Te Reo Māori.

Mr Flavell says it will show the Crown recognises it "contributed to the decline in Māori language and its previous actions have had a negative impact on our language and culture".

"Māori are familiar with the painful memories recalled by our grandparents' and parents' generations who were discouraged, and in some cases physically abused, for speaking Te Reo Māori at school or in public places.

"I hope the statement goes some way to acknowledging the pain and loss suffered as a result of successive Crown policies that have denied and suppressed our right to use Te Reo Māori," Mr Flavell says.

Attorney General and Minister in charge of Treaty of Waitangi negotiations Chris Finlayson says he's happy with the proposal, but thinks a blanket apology undermines the individual ones he's delivered to iwi when they reach settlement.

"You don't need a generic apology in the Māori Language Act because the apologies are drawn from particular historical events I've covered in deeds of settlement and in particular settlement legislation.

"I'm pleased with the acknowledgement and with the forward-looking statement in the Māori Party amendment."

He believes the best way is to apologise on an individual basis.

Prime Minister John Key says the amendment is recognition the Crown hadn't met its obligation in terms of preserving the language.

The amendment has also been welcomed from Labour's Māori development spokesman Kelvin Davis, who said there should be an apology for the way Māori were punished for speaking their language.

"I don't think necessarily the iwi-by-iwi approach actually apologises directly for what's happened in terms of Te Reo and that's what this Bill is about."

He says the policies contributed to a "forgotten generation" of Te Reo speakers, and says being able to speak the language is vital to Māori.

"If we don't have Māori as a language then we really aren't Māori. I think it's essential; it's just the life-force of being Māori. If the language dies then the world has lost a taonga, a treasure."

He maintains the proposed change isn't a way to address all historic grievances around Te Reo Māori, but is more "forward-looking"….

See full article HERE

Maori language on 'life support'

"If you compared the language now to a patient you would have to say it is still on life support," says Prof Moon.

While Prof Moon told the Paul Henry programme a national effort is needed to get it back on its feet, he warns making it compulsory to learn the language won't work.

"Compulsion never works. If you're relying on that you are saying we are giving up on any other hope that anything else is working," he says.

"It needs to be a coordinated approach and also it needs to be based on a desire to learn the language rather than people being forced into it."…

See full article HERE

Fresh water issue of the year

Labour MP Kelvin Davis is picking fresh water ownership as having the potential to turn into this government’s foreshore and seabed debacle.

He says the emails are starting to come into his office declaring no one owns water or they don’t want race-based ownership.

He says the way water is given away for free to bottling companies and others who then commodotise it shows it is already treated as a property right.

"Obviously at some stage people can own water. People just don't want Maori's to own water. I really think this is the big discussion of this year and possibly next year. It needs to be sorted out and I think as Maori we have rights. Councils are allocating water, just not allocating it to Maori, and other people are getting rich from it," Mr Davis says……

See full article HERE

App to change the way employees engage with Māori economy

A new bi-lingual mobile app developed by Callaghan Innovation and Auckland technology company Kiwa Digital is set to change the way employees learn te reo Māori and interact with the Māori economy.

Callaghan Innovation has launched a new app, Te Pou Herenga, that includes key Māori values, concepts and protocols that allow users to improve their knowledge and understanding of Te Ao Māori (The Māori world). Interactive features include pronunciation, maps with Māori names and tribal groups, values and principles, mihimihi / pepeha, whakataukī / proverbs, greetings, farewells, waiata, and the organisation’s own haka….

See full article HERE

School kids help to sell North

A Whangarei charter school has brought its knowledge of Northland and Maori culture to a tourism project that will be seen around the world.

"They wanted an authentic feel to Aotearoa and to give people a glimpse of our way of living," Miss Mokaraka said.

"We got to do things like make harakeke putiputi (flax flowers) with weavers, we didn't have to try too hard," Miss Mokaraka said….

See full article HERE

Crown acknowledges its role in te reo Māori struggle

The Māori Development Minister will move an amendment to the Māori Language (Te Reo Māori) Bill today to acknowledge that the Crown’s past policies and practices concerning the Māori language have had a detrimental effect on generations of iwi and Māori.

“The Crown acknowledges it has contributed to the decline in Māori language and its previous actions have had a negative impact on our language and culture”, says Te Ururoa Flavell.

“Māori are familiar with the painful memories recalled by our grandparents’ and parents’ generations who were discouraged, and in some cases physically abused, for speaking te reo Māori at school or in public places.

“I hope the statement goes some way to acknowledging the pain and loss suffered as a result of successive Crown policies that have denied and suppressed our right to use te reo Māori”, he says.

“Those Treaty settlement deeds include powerful accounts about how Crown policies and practices have eroded a tribe’s ability to keep our language and culture alive.”

Mr Flavell says this amendment is not an attempt to address all historic grievances around te reo Māori.

“Importantly, the amendment to the bill is also forward-looking. It expressly states the Crown’s commitment to work in partnership with iwi and Māori to actively protect and promote te reo Māori.

“We need a collective effort from the Crown, iwi, Māori and the general public if te reo Māori is to thrive in the future.”

See full article HERE

UN concern at Maori in prison

The United Nations Human Rights Committee has criticised New Zealand’s record on Maori unemployment, imprisonment, the foreshore and seabed and the Trans Pacific Partnership….

See full article HERE

Power plants get green light

A $300-million geothermal power station expansion near Kaikohe that could provide all the Far North's electricity needs will go ahead after an appeal to the Environment court over the plan was dropped.

However, yesterday the two parties announced they had reached an agreement and the appeal had been dropped to allow the scheme to go ahead. The project will make the Far North a power exporter and, thanks to surplus heat and steam, could attract industries such as milk and timber processing to an area starved of jobs.

Top Energy has made concessions to the group and agreed not to cause or contribute to any adverse effects on the pools and the company will provide funding support for the development of Nga Waiariki pools area which are a popular tourist destination and a valuable local resource for the community.

Parahirahi C1 Trust chairman, Te Tuhi Robust described the agreement as an excellent outcome which provides more gains around technical issues within the consent. "There is nothing within the agreement that sits at odds with the law or cultural integrity for us

As part of the agreement, Top Energy has agreed not to cause or contribute to any adverse effects on the pools, which will require an independent monitoring programme to monitor fluids reinjected into the reservoir, including controls on the contents of that fluid to eliminate waste, and to ensure reinjection procedures reflect best practice.

Another condition is the appointment of a kaitiaki advisor who will advise an independent peer review panel and who will be consulted as part of Top Energy's cultural indicators monitoring programme. In addition, Top Energy will also support the trust in undertaking an annual independent scientific audit….

See full article HERE

A hundred years on, Rua Kenana raid marked

A commemoration to mark 100 years since armed police raided Rua Kēnana's settlement in the heart of Te Urewera has sparked calls for the prophet to be pardoned.

On 2 April 1916, the pacifist prophet Rua Kēnana was arrested and his son Toko and Toko's uncle Te Maipi were shot dead during the police operation at Maungapōhatu

It's not clear who fired the first shot but the late historian Judith Binney said the evidence suggested it was the police.

Rua was later cleared of sedition charges but found morally guilty of resisting arrest. The jurors failed to reach a decision on charges of counselling others to murder….

See full article HERE

Hopes harbour plan will revive eastern BOP economy

A project it is hoped will transform one of the country's most deprived regions is moving closer to becoming a reality.

Expressions of interest for a design and construction partner to build a year-round navigable harbour entrance in Ōpōtiki close today.

The $50 million project is seen as crucial to developing an aquaculture industry in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, that could help generate hundreds of jobs and about $33 million per year for the local economy.

Ms Farrar said the iwi's goals for the developments were the creation of more than 400 jobs, that would help bring its people home and restore the iwi to the position it enjoyed in the early days of colonisation, when it operated 13 trading ships.

"We've always traded, we were quite a wealthy tribe, a very wealthy tribe pre-1800. We want that again for our people. We want to contribute meaningfully to this community. We don't want to be a statistic."…

See full article HERE

University and Kura experiment with science in te reo Māori

Experiments that extract DNA from saliva and use disclosing tablets to look at plaque on teeth may not be new, but the University of Otago, Wellington, (UOW) and Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngā Mokopuna are doing these experiments in te reo Māori.

Staff from the Department of Pathology at UOW recently worked with a group of 13 and14-year-old students from the Kura for a day of science, exploring how bacteria grow in your mouth.

The day was held primarily in te reo Māori, and the wānanga is part of the ongoing partnership between the Kura and the University of Otago, Wellington. Students gain NZQA credits, while UOW staff gain an appreciation of how science can be taught with te reo…..

See full article HERE

Council wary of planned Māori freshwater role

The Northland Regional Council is uneasy at plans to give Māori more authority over freshwater.

The government is consulting on plans to amend the Resource Management Act to allow iwi and councils to work together on bylaws, consents and other statutory responsibilities.

Northland council chair Bill Shepherd said his councillors were not averse to Māori involvement but they were adamant decision-making was the job of elected councillors.

He said the council had created a Māori Advisory Committee, and took advice from it as a part of the community.

But there were many other members of the community and the ultimate authority must remain with elected members, he said.

Mr Shepherd said the government's use of the word 'iwi' in consultation documents was also problematic for Northland, where the landowners were primarily hapū - and there were 190 of them.

See full article HERE

Maori Party commemorate 100 years since the invasion of Maungapohatu

Maori Party Co-leader, Te Ururoa Flavell, who is attending the commemoration ceremony at Maungapahatu Marae says "I am here to join with Tamakaimoana and Tahoe to remember the events that unfolded and the impact it has had on the people economically and socially."

"The re-enactment of the events of the invasion have exposed spectators to the realities Rua Kenana’s people faced a century ago and gave them a personal connection to the mistreatment, deceit and destruction that took place. As a country, we turn a blind eye on our history and that needs to stop," he says.

Maori Party Co-leader, Marama Fox, says it is important New Zealanders know the history Aotearoa is founded on.

"We celebrate things such as Halloween and Guy Fawkes, which are huge money makers for retailers, yet our tamariki do not have the option of learning about the historic events that shaped Aotearoa. It saddens me that not all New Zealanders know about our past, both good and bad," she says.

The Maori Party supports the Land Wars petition presented to Parliament by students from Otorohanga College.

"We are committed to seeing Maori history and Te Tiriti o Waitangi taught in schools. As part of our policies moving forward, we are devoted to supporting civics education and Maori history being made compulsory subjects," says Mrs Fox….

See full article HERE

Iwi Unanimous in Supporting Legal Action Against Crown

Iwi organisations named in the Māori Fisheries Act have pledged their unanimous support for legal action being taken by Te Ohu Kaimoana (Māori Fisheries Trust) against the Government’s proposed Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary.

At the 2016 Hui a Tau (Annual General Meeting) of the Māori Fisheries Trust yesterday, iwi unanimously agreed a resolution supporting the legal action against the Sanctuary and for Te Ohu Kaimoana to continue protecting Māori fishing rights in the region.

“The role and meaning of the Fisheries Settlement between Māori and Crown is not lost on iwi. The Settlement is full and final, not only for iwi members today, but for generations to come. If they allow the government to unilaterally take away their access to fisheries piece by piece, it’s only a matter of time before the value of the Settlement is completely gone,” Te Ohu Kaimoana Chairman Jamie Tuuta said.

All iwi – not only those located in Northland – have fishing rights in FMA10, specifically including development rights to particular fisheries. These rights – like all quota rights – endure and are not limited in time irrespective of whether iwi have or have not fished in the area…

See full article HERE

Got a job working with children? Time to learn Te Reo and diagnose rheumatic fever

Being fluent in Maori, well-versed on the Privacy Act and diagnosing rheumatic fever are just some of the things those working with children would be expected to know under a new Government proposal.

For example, those with the least child contact are expected to recognise New Zealand's bicultural partnership, those in the next tier (including teachers, nurses and doctors) would be expected to be "able to use significant kupu Maori throughout their interactions with Maori".

The next level, for those who are in senior practice positions such as school deans, the expectation is that they will be "able to use Te Reo Maori throughout interactions with Maori in a respectful, brave and deliberate way"…..

See full article HERE

Ngai Tahu buys half of South Island rural transporter Hilton Haulage

Ngai Tahu has bought a half share of the South Island transport firm Hilton Haulage.

The company is Ngai Tahu's second investment in the transport industry after combining with central North Island iwi Tainui to buy Go Bus for $170 million two years ago….

See full article HERE

Ministry of Justice supports greater use of te reo Maori in courts

Te reo Maori is stepping up to the bar in community law.

The Ministry of Justice has announced it will support the greater use of te reo in courtrooms.

Training and resources will be accessible to staff to help with pronunciation and understanding of te reo Maori in the opening and closing of court sessions. That includes district courts and Justice of the Peace and Community Magistrate sessions.

Ministry general manager Tony Fisher says supporting te reo makes sense.

"Using te reo Maori in court proceedings is a practical way of acknowledging that it is one of the official languages of New Zealand and it helps staff connect with New Zealand's cultural heritage."

"District courts' opening and closing sessions are already announced in te reo Maori and have been for some time. We have, however, improved the announcements sothey are more extensive and are also consistent with the announcements made in the Higher Courts."

New Zealand courts have included te reo Maori as well as English in opening and closing court announcements since August 2012.

Training for staff includes online modules, workshops and tutorials…..

See full article HERE

NZ Land Wars need to be taught

Calls are growing for more to be taught in schools about the New Zealand Land Wars.

Last year a petition was taken to Parliament to call for a day of recognition and for the events to be part of the school curriculum, but historians say it's a part of our history that's been brushed over.

It was the darkest time in New Zealand's history, around 3000 people -- mostly Maori -- were killed in the land wars of the 1860s and 70s.

Historians say not enough New Zealanders know about this period of our past.

"The Land Wars absolutely are not being taught enough in our schools it's one of the foundations on which these countries are built," says Massey University history professor Malcolm Mulholland….

See full article HERE

Foreign fishers benefit from Maori settlement

The Maori fisheries sector is holding its annual conference in Auckland this week, but New Zealand First leader Winston Peters is questioning how Maori it is.

Mr Peters says when the settlement was signed, head negotiator Matiu Rata said Maori could now go fishing.

To a large extent that’s not what happened.

"I have been gravely disquiet about how the process has gone from there and how much is caught by foreign crews and downstream processed by foreigners. That is not in the Maori interest and definitely not in the national interest and whilst they were warned of it, it nevertheless has happened," says Winston Peters….

See full article HERE

Shirley Boys' and Avonside Girls' won't be changing their names

"With a school like ours, which began in 1957, if we say the past is all gone and we are a brand new school then you do that at your peril. You throw all that history away", Shirley Boys' High School principal John Laurenson said.

Laurenson was not opposed to the idea of acknowledging the school's new site using "Shirley Boys' High School at Oruapaeroa", the Maori name for the land, as an example.

Old boys, current pupils and the community would be consulted if that was proposed….

See full article HERE

Union Jack linked to Crown by Maori

"All through Waitangi Tribunal hearings and things like that, Maori have a real affinity with the relationship with the Crown and as a result, while the symbol of the Union Jack is seen as a manifestation of colonisation, Maori people see it as a connection with the Queen as they did with Queen Victoria in 1840 when the Treaty of Waitangi was signed."…

See full article HERE

Last iwi to settle claims in Taranaki gets mandate to start treaty talks

The last iwi group in Taranaki to settle its treaty grievances now has the mandate to begin negotiations with the Crown.

Te Runanga o Ngati Maru received 91 per cent support from its members to be the group which represents them and chairman Holden Hohaia said the Crown signed off the mandate earlier this week.

The next step is to form a team of negotiators and Hohaia said an invitation had been sent out to the entire iwi to encourage people to get involved.

Currently, there are 1777 registered members of Ngati Maru.

See full article HERE

Schools get to choose whether to teach land wars

Schools can teach students about the New Zealand land wars, the Ministry of Education says - but it will not force them to include it in their curriculums.

Ministry officials have appeared before the Māori Affairs Select Committee, which is considering a 12,000 strong petition calling for a day to mark the land wars and for the history of those events to be taught at schools.

Almost 3000 people, most of whom were Māori, died in the conflicts between government forces and Māori.

The petition argues that there is not enough awareness about New Zealand wars and that the events should be part of the school curriculum.

Ministry associate deputy secretary Karl Le Quesne said it supported students learning about the New Zealand wars but it would not attempt to make it compulsory…..

See full article HERE

Marae justice panels get strong backing

An expansion of a radical pilot that allows adults to avoid court and criminal convictions for low-level offences has strong backing, including from Police Commissioner Mike Bush.

Three pilot iwi justice panels - also known as marae justice panels - have been running in Manukau, Gisborne and Lower Hutt since July 2014. A similar community justice panel operates in Christchurch.

Police steer some low-level offenders to the panels instead of court. Offenders must be adults, must intimate guilt or admit the offence, and the offence must carry a maximum penalty of six months' imprisonment or less…..

See full article HERE

TPP to boost Māori economy by $200m, MPs told

MPs have been told benefits from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) will boost the Māori economy by hundreds of millions of dollars.

The country's lead TPP negotiator, David Walker, appeared before the Māori Affairs Select Committee this morning.

Mr Walker told the committee that Māori own between 10 and 40 percent of New Zealand's key primary sector assets.

Meanwhile, Māori claimants remain unconvinced the government has acted in their best interests in negotiating the TPP….

See full article HERE

Human remains halt work on Waikato Expressway

Anthropologists are working to find out more about human remains that were uncovered during work on a new section of the Waikato Expressway.

Work has been halted after the discovery of the bones, known as koiwi, near Huntly on Tuesday.

Contractors found a skull while laying a culvert. Digging was immediately called off while local iwi were notified.

Hamilton highway manager Kaye Clark says following a blessing at the site, the koiwi will be sent to researchers in Auckland, and reinterred at Taupiri Urupa by kaumatua after they have been examined.

"We've immediately gone into our protocols we have with Waikato Tainui for what we do when that happens," she says.

“Our protocols include provisions for kaitiaki (guardians) from iwi to work on site, as needed, to monitor earthworks as they unfold. This discovery was made by the kaitiaki and the project archaeologists working alongside each other, which is exactly what should happen."….

See full article HERE

Teachers encouraged to lift their game with Māori students

Students may all be created equal, but a new guide is encouraging teachers to be culturally engaged when dealing with Māori students. Te Mata o Te Tau, the Academy for Māori Research and Scholarship has released a good teaching practice guide aimed at increasing Māori student retention and success at Massey University.

You can miss-pronounce someone’s name once or twice and you’ll be forgiven, but after that people begin to feel you don’t actually care about who they are.” She says teachers also have to understand the Māori concept of holistic wellbeing and how this translates into teaching and learning for example developing an environment that allows students to support each other and learn from each other…..

See full article HERE

Natural baths closed to public

Whakarewarewa Village locals in Rotorua are fed up with members of the public using their natural mineral baths. The pools are administered by a Māori Trust who only allows members of the trust and local sub-tribes to use the baths.

Descendants of Tūhourangi/ Ngāti Wāhiao have been using this natural resource since the early 1800's.

Local Villager, Wharekahika Clarke says that “It’s about stopping those who aren’t from the village coming in and enjoying our luxuries such as the baths. Stopping all the vandalism and disrespecting our elders.”

Signs have been erected to remind members of the public the baths can only be used by Tūhourangi, Ngāti Wāhiao descendants……

See full article HERE

Iwi concerns delay cafe plan for Putaruru's Blue Springs

Plans to build a restaurant and cafe beside a popular South Waikato tourist destination have been delayed for iwi to have their say, angering the woman behind the plan.

Raukawa have expressed concerns over the scale and intensity of the development applicant Cheryl Waite plans to build beside the Te Waihou Blue Springs in Putaruru.

But applicant Cheryl Waite, who owns Waihou Lodge & Blue Springs Farmstay, said it was ridiculous that the local iwi had to have a say on the development given she was trying to better the area…..

See full article HERE

Waikato-Tainui partners with Wellington iwi trust

A powerhouse tribal organisation in Waikato is keen to enter commercial partnerships with a struggling Wellington iwi trust.

Waikato-Tainui and the Port Nicholson Settlement Trust signed a new agreement this afternoon.

It enables the trust, which is running at a loss, to call on Waikato-Tainui and its $1.2 billion asset base for future commercial ventures.

Mr Fox said there was enormous potential to benefit the parties' members and beneficiaries through cultural and commercial collaboration.

Waikato-Tainui also has a similar covenant in place with Ngāi Tahu.

Waikato-Tainui chief executive Parekawhia McLean said the agreement cemented the whanaungatanga relationship between Taranaki Whānui Ki Te Upoko o Te Ika and Waikato-Tainui.

She said it would open the way for jointly pursuing social, cultural and commercial opportunities…..

See full article HERE

Plan change to enable papakainga developments

Traditional Maori communities could be re-established in Northland, if changes to council rules governing the 5 per cent of Whangarei land held in multiple Maori ownership go through.

The council's planning committee chairman, Greg Innes, described the plan as "on a leading edge". But while the committee's Maori adviser, Juliane Chetham, agreed it was a good first step, she said many barriers remained to the development of the land.

About 14,350ha, 5 per cent of the Whangarei district's total 282,000ha, is ancestral Maori land held in 868 individual parcels, mostly near the western boundary of the district and along the eastern coastline.

Ms Chetham said the plan change could help re-establish traditional Maori communities in Northland.

"The provisions allow for that kind of holistic community that [Maori] used to have. That could include marae, kohanga, elderly housing, health-related facilities and even environmental facilities," she said….

See full article HERE

From the NZCPR archives by David Round
National has no mandate for promoting racial separatism
The Prime Minister and National Party have absolutely no popular mandate for promoting Maori sovereignty or racial separatism. National went into the election, as I recall, still with an official policy of abolishing the Maori seats. We all recognised that that was unlikely to happen; obviously, that policy had to be put on the back burner. Nevertheless, people voted for National under the distinct impression that they were voting for a party opposed to racial separatism; for a party, indeed, still sympathetic to Dr Brash’s Orewa speech. That trust in the Party has been betrayed.

We are not alone in the issues which we face. Our problems are those of Western civilisation ~ a civilisation in decline which no longer values its own achievements and inheritance. Having lost confidence in ourselves and our past, we worship the barbarian, the foreigner and the adolescent. So our history has nothing to teach us, and we forget it. We do not value education at all, for our role models ~ bruisers and primitive peoples, rock stars and celebrities~ have no need for it. We value freedom and spontaneity, which are an excuse for us to indulge our passions and animal appetites ~ and since that is our right (any attempt to control our appetites being a stunting of our personal growth) it follows that any misfortunes that ensue ~ poverty, ill-health, addiction and alcoholism, ignorance and broken families ~ cannot be our fault either.

And so, whether in relation to the Treaty or any of our other social problems, we see the same set of attitudes. Among the less fortunate themselves, of whatever race, we see a sense of entitlement which no amount of public generosity can appease. They have a grudge. Everything is someone else’s fault, and therefore they should not and need not do anything to help themselves. State charity is their right, and they are always entitled to more than they are given. A feeble intellectual class accepts this approach, and reassures the unfortunate that their plight is indeed not their fault, but that of ’the system’ ~ of capitalism, sexism, racism or just plain old class oppression. This is the ‘soft bigotry of low expectations’ ~ not telling the unfortunate that they have to do anything to help themselves, but putting the blame elsewhere, and therefore offering no advice as to how they might improve their situation. It is the cult of the victim, of which Robert Hughes wrote so ably in his The Culture of Complaint. If you wish to be deferred to and respected, do not tell the truth and admit that you are the author of your own misfortune; rather, present yourself as a victim, and no-one in our culture will dare to condemn you. On the contrary, highly paid professionals and taxpayer funding are yours by right. The absurdities and excesses of the welfare state, therefore, flow naturally from these attitudes.

The solutions to our social problems are not difficult to discover. They apply to Maori as much as they do to anyone else. Sir Apirana Ngata and many other Maori leaders of a better time prescribed them long ago. Get an education. Get a job. Live decently. Limit the partying and substance abuse and the indiscriminate child-bearing. Have a strong family life. Get out of the habit of moaning and into the habit of pulling your weight. This prescription, admittedly, gets harder to fulfil the longer one has been addicted to bad living. But the task will not become easier the longer it is put off…..
Read David Round's full article HERE
January 31, 2010

Mole News is published on a regular basis to expose the on-going build up of race-based privilege in New Zealand. The Mole welcomes tips - please send to mole@nzcpr.com. Older news items can be found HERE and HERE and HERE.

29 March 2016

Iwi calls Crown on consultation but backs Kermadecs marine sanctuary

A Northland iwi is calling on the Government to guarantee Maori fishing rights aren't wiped out if the proposed marine sanctuary in the Kermadec Islands goes ahead.

Te Aupouri says the Crown showed a "disappointing" level of consultation over the plan, contacting its chairman Riki Witana just a matter of hours before the sanctuary was announced at the United Nations by Prime Minister John Key last September.

The "level of discussion and involvement was vastly inadequate," Witana said.

However, he supported the sanctuary, saying it was "ground breaking" and that Te Aupouri would be included in the sanctuary's governance.

There was no fish hooks in Te Aupouri's support, but Witana said it did not want Maori fishing rights around the islands to be "extinguished unilaterally".

"The Kermadec Islands are where we fished, repaired our waka and took respite and refuge on our ocean voyages. It is a place where, in contemporary times, we have fished.

"Each and every iwi in Aotearoa have rights to fisheries in the Kermadec region through the Māori Fisheries Settlement."

Tuna fishing leader Charles Hufflett of the Solander Group said everyone supported the sanctuary but the lack of consultation set a grave precedent for areas outside territorial waters.

"Inside the 12 miles, the new MPA [Marine Protected Area] bill set before Parliament says it will consult, you've got to talk to everybody but the Government said outside, they'll make up their own mind and not consult.

"So it's far broader than just the Kermadecs. There's a serious matter of principle here….

See full article HERE

Hui Ahurei o Tūhoe - Independence can become a reality

Some descendants believe Tūhoe's goal for self-determination will be a major challenge.

Paki Nikora from Ngāti Rongo says, “They say self-determination lies with the tribe. But to me, there are two issues, self-determination of sub-tribes and self-determination of tribes as a whole. Which one takes precedence?”

Te Uru Taumatua (TUT) is the governing body for the tribe and is responsible for managing the tribe's assets. TUT Chairman Tamati Kruger says the tribe wants to take over welfare payments, schools, healthcare and housing within its tribal area from Whakatāne south to Lake Waikaremoana…..

See full article HERE

Ngati Porou runanganui frustrated

Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou told NZPAM it was frustrated at the lack of “early and meaningful” engagement with government officials regarding oil and gas issues, and said it should be the decision-makers on activities affecting resources within Ngati Porou territory. The runanganui wanted any area within its rohe to be excluded from Block Offer 2016.

“However, if the Crown proceeds to include this area, TRONPnui requests that they be included in the evaluation and selection for tenders within their rohe and in deciding conditions to be imposed.”

NZPAM rebuffed TRONP’s assertion that “the Treaty of Waitangi must be the centre of Crown-Maori relationship in respect to mineral resources”. It issued the runanganui with a Crown minerals protocol setting out how consultation would occur…..

See full article HERE

UN last option for belittled claimants

Waitangi Tribunal claimants have asked the United Nations to look at whether proposed reforms to Maori land law are contrary to the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

In a letter to the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights and the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, claimants Marise Lant, David Hawea, Owen Lloyd, Maanu Paul and Rihari Dargaville say they fear the Government will ignore the tribunal’s finding and push ahead with the introduction of Te Ture Whenua Maori Bill.

The claimants says a response from the UN Bodies would assist the Government as it needs to understand its responsibilities under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples…

See full article HERE

From the NZCPR Breaking Views archives by Mike Butler Mr Key and the flag of disintegration
The Maori sovereignty ideology has raised expectations in certain sectors and has triggered a number of highly irritating low-level incidents.

A Maori sovereignty defence was being used almost daily in New Zealand courts, according to the Sunday Star Times, May 16, 2004, prompting a call to Parliament at that time to address the issue.

Activist Sue Nikora, who proclaimed herself prime minister of the Maori government, in 2005 sent out "security officers" to collect rent from Gisborne moteliers. She claimed that the Treaty of Waitangi gave her the right to have a separate government, according to TVNZ. Nikora estimated businesses and residential landowners in Gisborne should be paying her "government" $1.9-million every week in rent, claiming the land belongs to her group. One of her "security officers" was arrested.

Calls for Maori sovereignty created an opportunity for fraudsters. The appearance of cheap passports in the name of the Maori Party prompted the Minister of Maori Affairs, Dr Pita Sharples, to warn the public to beware, according to Scoop, the online news service.
Read full article HERE
January 29, 2010

Mole News is published on a regular basis to expose the on-going build up of race-based privilege in New Zealand. The Mole welcomes tips - please send to mole@nzcpr.com. Older news items can be found HERE and HERE and HERE.

26 March 2016

Māori complain to UN over land reforms

A complaint has been laid with the United Nations about proposed changes to Māori land laws.

Waitangi Tribunal claimants have sent a letter to the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights.

It accuses the government of breaching the Declaration of Rights of Indigenous People in its review of the Te Ture Whenua Māori Act.

The review aims to make it easier to use Māori land but claimants say the process is flawed and their sovereignty is under threat…..

See full article HERE

Iwi essential to future job vision

Labour leader Andrew Little says Maori need to play a major role in disuccsions about where jobs will be in the future.

One idea is partnering with Maori in a post-Treaty settlement era - through the Government facilitating strategic partnerships between iwi, business, and third parties to develop the Maori economy…..

See full article HERE

Hawera's historic pa site Turuturu Mokai status changed to Wahi Tapu

A historic Hawera pa site has a new status as an old reserve.

Turuturu Mokai, also the site of an abandoned council dump, has been named Wahi Tapu under the Heritage NZ Pouhere Taonga Act 2014, in recognition of it's national historical significance.

Heritage NZ central general manager Claire Craig said it was upgraded from a previously held category two historic place listing which applied to monuments located within the pa boundaries.

"We would hope that it provides greater recognition of the site and that supports iwi or hapu ambitions for it," she said….

In a practical sense, she said it could open up the site owners, Ngati Tupaia hapu, to some national funding which would help with associated costs. She said it would only affect management of the site if owners tried to "drastically change" how it was used.

Ngati Tupaia hapu secretary Aroha Houston said that when she thought Wahi Tapu, she thought of respect for the site where her people lay.

"Wahi Tapu, you treat it with respect, it is sacred to indigenous people, to us as Maori," she said.

"In our minds of our people, it's still ours."….

See full article HERE

Resource Teacher Māori Service - upcoming consultation

In May, we will be seeking views about how the Resource Teacher Māori service can best meet the needs of sector. Any changes to the service will happen in 2018.

Currently, the service’s primary purpose is to assist principals and teachers to provide programmes of work for new entrants to year 8 students in Māori immersion schools and settings….

See full article HERE

Kermadec ocean sanctuary: a 'dangerous' precedent for Maori rights?

Maori are fighting to keep fishing in the Kermadecs and there are growing concerns they may have further battles with the Government.

Academic and Ngai Tahu elder Sir Tipene O'Regan says the Government's Kermadec ocean sanctuary was in principle "dangerous" to iwi fishing rights.

"Where does it stop?" he said.

"You can see the Auckland Islands fishery, the Southern Ocean fishery, the Ross Sea fishery...you can see all those coming in for the same kind of treatment."

Te Ohu Kaimoana have taken the Government to court. It was a "last resort" for them.

"We want a declaration that what the Government had undertaken is wrong," Tuuta said.

Although the Prime Minister has ruled out compensating iwi, Tuuta thought it could be "highly likely".

The problem was putting a price on "perpetual rights" of a whole indigenous people. Traditional models of compensation look at catch history as a basis, but in this case iwi hadn't developed the area, Tuuta said.

"We'd probably want to get a better understanding of what that compensation package," he said.

But Tuuta said their stance was about ensuring fishing rights, not about cash payments…..

See full article HERE

Nurses learn te reo to bond with Māori patients

Nursing students at the Eastern Institute of Technology in Taradale are learning Te Reo Māori in an effort to help connect with more Māori patients. Efforts that will see more Te Reo Māori spoken in the health sector.

Basic greetings are at the core of their learning to help break the ice when engaging with patients…..

See full article HERE

Maori mix makes for better building

One of the people behind a project to give engineering, architecture and planning students an appreciation of Maori culture says it can save a lot of trouble and expense.

Dr Kepa Morgan from the University of Auckland says while one aim of Te Whaihanga is to help people in those professions work better with Maori clients and stakeholders, all people in New Zealand will benefit from a built environment that reflects the country’s unique cultural mix.

He says in the past Waitangi Tribunal claims around poorly positioned engineering projects ended up with resources being wasted when projects had to be canned….

See full article HERE

Iwi authority worried for Auckland's views

The Tūpuna Maunga Authority says Auckland Council has failed to consult with it over housing intensity proposals that could reduce mountain views across the city.

Authority chairman Paul Majurey said volcanic cones were among the city's most significant features - culturally, archaeologically and geologically.

The lack of consultation was disappointing, he said.

"Auckland Council is at risk of ignoring the deep historical, spiritual and cultural significance of Auckland's volcanic cones - not just to mana whenua, but all parts of our community."

"[But] what is to be remembered is Auckland Council is half of the partnership and co-governance arrangement that gave rise to the Tūpuna Maunga Authority through the Tāmaki Collective Settlement….

See full article HERE

Historic landing place marked

The historical significance of one of Dunedin's first landing sites - for Maori and Pakeha - has been acknowledged by Heritage New Zealand.

Otakou kaumatua Edward Ellison told those present the recognition of the site was important to the area's tangata whenua.

‘‘For us, it's an important way of bringing our history back to acknowledge it and to celebrate it,'' he said.

‘‘This is an important ancestral landmark for us.''

While the plaque marked a ‘‘small'' acknowledgement of Otakou's history, it was only the beginning of more reclamation of the runanga's ancestry, he said.

Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull said he was pleased to increase the public's understanding of Toitu.

‘‘Toitu goes back before Dunedin's beginnings and has been here for all that time.‘‘….

See full article HERE

Labour MPs backing war vets

Ikaroa-Rāwhiti MP Meka Whaitiri says the government has been negligent in their treatment of Māori war veterans. Whaitiri says that treatment has led some soldiers to alcoholism, which had a huge impact on generations in her electorate.

Meka Whaitiri hasn't seen action in war, but she says Māori veterans have been let down by the government, “There’s definitely a case to say many of our returning war veterans after putting their lives on the line they didn't receive the same treatment as pākehā.”

Whaitiri says the stories she has heard from Māori veterans are heart breaking and says the battle scars run deep, “Alcoholism was rife, and we’ve heard that in front of the tribunal. We also heard of family violence because they weren't treated in the same regard as others.”

Māori Labour MPs are backing Māori veterans tabling their grievances in a hearing to the Waitangi Tribunal.

This includes the repatriation of around 60 soldiers who lie buried in countries like Malaysia.

Kelvin Davis says the cost to bring them home is worth it.

“Cost isn't an issue. If the families want their family member back, then they should be repatriated,” says Davis.

The price of citizenship has been huge for Māori, and it's hoped that it hasn't been in vain….

See full article HERE

Iwi closely watches govt moves on water ownership

The debate over water rights is heating up as the government takes its plans for reform around the country.

The government maintains the line that "no one owns the water", which is something iwi leaders are watching carefully as a consultation process on water reforms takes place.

To the west of Whangarei is Porotī Springs; its waters flow down the Waipao Stream from Whatitiri Mountain.

For the past 500 years, three hapū have lived there - an occupation recognised by two government titles.

The legal title to Porotī Springs was given to Māori trustees in the 1890s, and their treaty claim over the resource has been central to Māori claims over freshwater.

While the three hapū own the springs, any say in who uses the water in the spring is left to local and regional councils…..

See full article HERE

PM stands firm on Kermadec sanctuary

A giant ocean sanctuary around the Kermadecs is New Zealand's gift to world conservation, says Prime Minister John Key, as his government prepares to fight a challenge to it from Maori fishing interests.

A bill to create an enormous sanctuary in the area northeast of New Zealand passed through parliament unanimously last week but Te Ohu Kaimoana, the Maori Fisheries Trust, says it has now filed papers in the High Court at Wellington to block the plan.

It says it would "extinguish all iwi customary commercial and non-commercial fishing rights" in the area.

But Mr Key says the government will be sticking to its guns over the plan, which has wide political support.

"Parliament is supreme, it can pass whatever law it wants," he told TV3's Paul Henry programme….

See full article HERE

A further article on the above HERE

Protest highlights petroleum exploration concerns in NZ

Te Rarawa Chairman Haami Piripi says the iwi is looking to conduct direct negotiations with oil companies.

This follows the government's announcement that it will be offering five off-shore and on-shore blocks for petroleum exploration at the petroleum conference in Auckland today.

Petroleum exploration is a heated topic, with Te Rarawa already having an established relationship with oil company, Statoil. Their Chairman says they will have to resort to that tactic again.

"If the government continues with their plans, it's only right that we continue talking with companies who are successful in obtaining (petroleum exploration) licenses", says Haami Piripi, Chairman of Te Runanga o Te Rarawa…..

See full article HERE

Law firm aims to attract more Māori and Pacific Island graduates

Law firm Russell McVeagh wants to attract more Māori and Pacific Island graduates.

For the past two years, law firm Russell McVeagh has been implementing diversity initiatives throughout its business especially focusing on attracting more Māori and Pacific Island graduates….

See full article HERE

Māori war vets take claim to tribunal

The Waitangi Tribunal is hearing claims from Northland Māori war veterans and their families at historic Otiria Marae near Kaikohe.

The veterans have said, while war took a terrible toll on all who fought, the consequences for Māori were disastrous.

Evidence to be heard this week was expected to include the stories of men who went to war healthy and sober and returned traumatised - drinking, smoking and violent.

The veterans said many returned to find their ancestral land had been taken by the Crown and given in resettlement schemes to Pākehā soldiers.

Today, one Māori war veteran made an emotional plea for the government to repatriate the remains of soldiers killed overseas in places like Malaysia.

Major Rihari Shepherd, who served in Malaysia and Vietnam, said about 60 soldiers were buried in Asian countries in cemeteries that were in some cases neglected and full of rubbish….

See full article HERE

Ngāti Wai concerned over potential impact of Kermadec Sanctuary

Ngāti Wai's economic development base will be badly affected if commercial fishing in the sea surrounding the Kermadec Islands is banned.

That's according to the chair of the Ngāti Wai Trust Board, Haydn Edmonds, who disputes the Crown's decision to turn the area into a sanctuary.

Under their Deed of Settlement, Ngāti Kuri are deemed the tangata whenua of the Kermadecs and strongly support the proposed sanctuary.

Harry Burkhardt says, “My view is we need to be protecting our rights and interests and our obligation space and it doesn’t matter who the government is, I think we'll always be having that conversation.”

But that's not to say they don't support TOKM who have taken the issue to the High Court….

See full article HERE

Maori bankers get career help

Some of New Zealand's largest companies are signing on to a programme aimed at helping Maori staff move into the ranks of management.

The Whakaterehia Maori Acceleration Programme started as a partnership between Te Puni Kokiri and ASB Bank, and now includes Fletcher Building, Fonterra, Mainfreight and Vector….

See full article HERE

Buildings blessed at upgraded Marlborough marae

More than 500 people attended a dawn blessing ceremony of new buildings at Te Hora Marae in Canvastown on Saturday.

The ceremony celebrated the opening of a new whare kai, or dining hall, and refurbished whare moe, a sleeping house, at the marae, which acts as a base for Top of the South iwi Ngati Kuia.

Te Hora Marae chairman Peter Hemi said many iwi members had put time and effort into the $1.5 million upgrade.

The renovation saw the marae transformed from two tin garages to what Hemi described as a "luxury marae".

The dining hall had the latest appliances, an outdoor cooking area, a walk-in chiller, preparation area and dishwasher.

A sprinkler system had been installed throughout the marae, Hemi said.

New carpet had been put into the sleeping house, which was re-lined and re-carpeted.

The new buildings made it easier to cater for large numbers of people during hui, or meetings, and tangi, funerals, at the marae, Hemi said. ….

See full article HERE

Preparing architects, planners and engineers to work with Māori

A two-year project has been launched at the University of Auckland called Te Whaihanga: Preparing students to work with Māori, in collaboration with AKO Aotearoa through a national project award.

Building on seed funding from the University of Auckland’s Te Whare Kura initiative, the project aims to develop a range of teaching resources specifically for students studying professionally accredited programmes in planning, architecture and engineering.

The project will ensure that future generations of built environment professionals are better prepared to work with Māori professionals, iwi representatives and community and papakāinga developers in their day-to-day work…..

See full article HERE

From the NZCPR Breaking Views archives by Judge Anthony Willy
Maori water rights a recent Supreme Court decision
For those who have a taste for reading Sagas (loosely defined as: “long involved stories, or accounts of a series of incidents”) Norse or otherwise, one can do little better than follow the litigation pursued by various Maori interests seeking to secure control of New Zealand waterways for the benefit of a miscellaneous collection of tribes, hapu and Iwi. One can only marvel at the tenacity with which these claims have been pursued over at least the past 150 years and pay tribute to the Maori litigants. Surely no other indigenous people have embraced the English common law in pursuit of its commercial aspirations quite so wholeheartedly and with such trust as have Maori people.

The latest decision of the Supreme Court in is a fine contribution to the ongoing saga. It is between Paki and four others against the Attorney General and two interveners (parties who want to be heard) Mighty River Power and the Te Kahui Trustees. Judgment was given on the 29th August 2014.

Although the appellants lost M/s Hall solicitor to The New Zealand Maori Council is reported as saying about the significance of the judgments in the case:

“ … the Supreme Court refused to give Pouakani people what they asked for, but may have given them something much, much better instead. The Appellants had argued that the Crown’s ownership of the River was as a fiduciary for the benefit of Maori. Instead, the Supreme Court has questioned whether the Crown owns the River at all.”

The timing of the decision will assist the New Zealand Maori Council before the Waitangi Tribunal in its claim over Maori propriety interests in water, stage 2, which is being prepared. It provides significant affirmation of the Tribunal’s decision at stage 1. The Crown cannot point to English law and assert that no one owns the water. The question isn’t, what was the law of England? The question is what, is the law of New Zealand? In particular, what was the customary position of Maori which the Crown promised to protect?

Today’s Supreme Court decision requires “all Maori to re-look at the way water issues are addressed”, said Ms Hall.

The Tribunal Inquiry process is the appropriate forum in which to debate the major policy issues identified with protection of Maori proprietary rights and protection of the quality of New Zealand’s water resources for everyone.

The Supreme Court’s refocusing of the water debate around the question of ownership has large implications for all Maori. The door to that argument is now open for claimants like Waikato River and Dams Trust to grow through said Ms Hall. This has only come about because of the courage of the Pouakani people to tackle the hard arguments head on.

The purpose of this article is to test those assertions…..
Continue reading Judge Willy's article HERE
November 16, 2014

Govt taken to court over Kermadec sanctuary

The Government is being taken to court by the Maori Fisheries Trust over plans to create a vast ocean sanctuary around the Kermadecs.

Around 620,000 square kilometres in the north eastern corner of New Zealand's exclusive economic zone is flagged to become the reserve -- but there's a catch: the area is part of a Treaty settlement which gives Maori fishing rights.

The trust, also called Te Ohu Kaimoana, says the proposed marine sanctuary extinguishes all iwi customary commercial and non-commercial fishing rights in the area, secured under a pan-iwi, pan-Maori agreement with the Government in 1992.

Part of the deal guarantees Maori would be involved in Crown decisions regarding the management of fisheries and ecosystems, but Te Ohu Kaimoana alleges this hasn't happened with the sanctuary proposal…..

See full article HERE

A further link re Kermadec fiasco HERE

Solid Energy sell-off slap in face

The proposed sell-off of Solid Energy lands in Huntly is a breach of good faith undertakings given to Waikato-Tainui in their Treaty of Waitangi settlement reached 20yrs ago, says Hauraki-Waikato MP Nanaia Mahuta.

"There are core principles which inform the right of first refusal mechanisms in the Waikato-Tainui Settlement. The principle of returning land wrongly confiscated in the region was an important matter.

"Waikato-Tainui have sought a Crown injunction on the actions of Solid Energy as the proposed tender will inflate the cost of some of its land parcels that should be offered back to the tribe first.

"It's this type of cavalier behaviour that breaches faith in the Crown’s commitment to its Treaty Settlement obligation…..

See full article HERE

Goff 'abandons his previous big promises on Super City'

Auckland Councillor Cameron Brewer has dug out Labour’s 2011 General Election manifesto when Phil Goff was Labour Party leader which shows the mayoral candidate has clearly walked away from his promises five years ago to significantly change the Super City.

"When he was Opposition leader he talked a really big game on what he and the Labour Party were going to change in the Super City. Now five years on, he has completely abandoned all his past promises of structural reform and stronger democracy.

"As Labour leader he promised to ‘fix the Super City’s democracy’, power up the local boards, dump the Independent Maori Statutory Board and replace them with elected Maori seats, and get rid of the current Auckland Transport CCO described by Labour back then as a ‘corporatised transport agency’. Goff was also going to set up a ‘Common Accountability Platform for Auckland’ to ensure better alignment of central and local government priorities.

"He’s now not prepared to push for any reforms to the democratic structure of Auckland Council. He’s not campaigning on powering up the local boards, nor is he pushing to ditch the IMSB which is set to stay if he gets his way….

See full article HERE

Iwi vows to stop 'culturally insensitive' burials at sea

A Northland iwi is vowing to stop any future burials at sea in its area, describing the practice as culturally offensive.

Ocean burials are regulated by the Environmental Protection Authority and restricted to just five locations around the country.

Northland iwi Ngati Kahu says it wasn't aware the practice was going ahead when Roy Gaensicke was buried in an ocean site covered by the tribe in 2014.

"The cultural imperative is that we do not mix tupapaku (body of the deceased) with kai. And the sea, of course, is literally our food pantry," Anahera Herbert, Ngati Kahu spokesperson told ONE News.

The Environmental Protection Authority is considering iwi concerns about burials at sea.

Regardless, Ngati Kahu says the burial of Roy Gaensicke will be the last in its Far North waters.

Next month, the Government will issue a response to a major report on overhauling burial and cremation laws……

See full article HERE

Sovereignty Marches On
To be successful, political movements need effective long-term strategies. This week observers would have witnessed two tactical steps in long-term march of New Zealand towards Maori sovereignty and a separate Maori nation.

The first of these steps was the launching of the Maori electoral option campaign on Monday. This four month long campaign, budgeted to cost $4.5 million, is held following the census every five years. It targets those who claim to be Maori inviting them to choose whether they want to be registered on the Maori electoral roll or the general roll. If all Maori voters on the electoral roll registered for the Maori option, there would be 13 Maori seats in our Parliament. That would be more than sufficient under our MMP system for a Maori Party, if it was able to win all – or most – of those seats, to permanently hold the balance of power.
The Maori option campaign has been called ‘state sanctioned separatism’. To have a racially divided electoral system still operating 140 years after the Maori seats were created to rectify an historical voting anomaly is an anathema in a modern civilised society.

In the 1860s, temporary voting measures were introduced to ensure that men, disenfranchised by private property ownership requirements, were able to vote. These measures gave the vote to miners and also established four Maori seats for Maori men whose land was in collective ownership.

While the miners’ temporary voting rights were eventually abolished as planned, the Maori seats stayed on. The eligibility for voting on the Maori roll was based on the legal definition of Maori – as having half or more of Maori blood – a definition that remained in place right up until 1974. In that year the Labour Government introduced the Maori Affairs Amendment Act, which changed the definition of Maori to anyone who has Maori ancestry, causing an outraged Allan McCready, the MP for Manawatu, to state in Parliament: It appears now that anyone who rides past a marae on a pushbike can claim to be a Maori!

This change has opened the door to anyone who “feels” Maori being able to claim they have Maori ancestry and gain access, not only to vote on the Maori electoral roll, but also to enjoy an array of other special privileges including sharing in the spoils of the Treaty settlement process……
Continue reading HERE
April 8, 2006

Battle for Maori Land Wars public holiday moves to Parliament

King Tuheitia is gathering a panel to decide a date for the proposed holiday following a petition to recognise the battles that killed thousands in the 19th century.

"It's a country that is in such denial. Pakeha doesn't even know its past, we should be coming together," says New Plymouth mayor Andrew Judd.

King Tuheitia plans to call Maori together next month to choose a date to put to the Government, for a public holiday to mark all the New Zealand land wars…..

See full article HERE

Funding squeeze costs Maori support

The Tertiary Education Union says almost half the positions set up by universities and polytechs to support Maori students have gone.

Maori vice-president James Houkamau says since the incoming National Government replaced funding tagged for Maori support with general equity funding, there has been a process of whitestreaming…

See full article HERE

Further article on the above HERE

NorthTec rejects proposed restructure

Northland’s largest tertiary provider, NorthTec has rejected a proposal to restructure its management to enable the establishment of a new Maori advisory role.

But NorthTec will now create a new Advisor Maori role and keep the tertiary provider’s current Senior Management Team.

On behalf of NorthTec's Chief Executive Paul Binney, the statement says, “This position is specifically designed to assist NorthTec to improve educational outcomes for Māori students and to increase further the organisation’s engagement with Māori stakeholders.” ..

See full article HERE

Iwi still worried about TPP

Māori claimants remain unconvinced the government has acted in their best interests in negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

But lead claimants counsel Annette Sykes said that was not good enough.

"The claimants clearly object to the authority of the Crown to negotiate such an agreement alone ... and the inadequacy of the Treaty of Waitangi exception because it provides a contingent that is incomplete, contestable and hence ineffective protection for Māori interests."

After today, the tribunal would decide whether that provision effectively protected the interests of Māori….

See full article HERE

Bank develops Maori leaders

Two years ago, ASB Bank recognised its staff who identified as Maori were under-represented in its workforce and in management roles. This awareness led to a small but strong group of Maori leaders within the bank conceiving a programme to encourage diversity and inclusion.

The Whakaterehia Maori Acceleration Programme, run in partnership with Te Puni Kokiri (Ministry of Maori Development) and now in its second year, is aimed at supercharging the development of Maori managers and aspiring managers.

Angela Busby, ASB Securities Principal, says they wanted to create a programme that would develop a strong, vibrant and supportive Maori whanau within the bank, and a Maori talent pipeline to generate greater competition for senior roles and attract more Maori to the industry….

See full article HERE

Suggested Auckland stadium site surprises Maori landowners

A site behind Auckland's old railway station suggested as a possible location for a waterfront stadium is "fraught", the landowner says.

Local iwi Ngati Whatua Orakei is surprised commentators calling for Auckland to build a new national stadium have pointed to the area east of the historic station and next to Vector Arena.

"There's some difficulties associated with that site," Rob Hutchison, chief executive of the iwi's commercial arm Whai Rawa, said…..

See full article HERE

Let's have two flags: One for Maori and one for New Zealand

Another factor has emerged in the flag debate - should the Maori flag have equal status to the New Zealand one?

Supporters of the tino rangatiratanga flag are calling for the symbolic banner to become official and fly right next to the country's flag - whichever one is chosen.

The Maori flag does not have official status currently, and Maori Party co-leader Marama Fox wants that to change.

"This is not about separatism, this is about unifying our nation to accept actually that there is more than one predominant culture who lives here….

See full article HERE

Maori shut out of prison rehab

A prison reform advocate says the refusal by Corrections and other government agencies to partner with Maori has resulted in a succession of ineffective rehabilitation programmes.

In June the Waitangi Tribunal will look at high imprisonment and reoffending rates among Maori.

"Government agencies generally have addressed or attempted to close the gap by addressing the need as as they see them but have often cut Maori out of the action and have not allowed Maori organisations or services to be run by Maori for Maori within those entities or organisations," Mr Workman says….

See full article HERE

NUMA Opens Doors for Hone Harawira

Former MP Hone Harawira joined forces with the National Urban Maori Authority after being largely ignored by Iwi and local Social Service providers.

The Mana Party leader and Kaitaia-based ANT Trust executive, told Radio Waatea 603am host Dale Husband, he approached NUMA executives Willie Jackson and John Tamihere after a programme he devised to support whanau in Kaitaia fell on deaf ears.

“The truth is they (local providers) weren’t particularly interested so I thought if that’s your attitude good luck to you,” Hone said.

“I ran into Willie and JT and they said to me, ‘how can we help’ which started the relationship between the ANT Trust and NUMA.”…

See full article HERE

After ruling out compensation for iwi affected by a proposed Kermadec ocean sanctuary, the Government has buckled to pressure and will now consider it.

The Maori Party has met with Environment Minister Nick Smith, who agreed to talks with iwi on compensation in return for the Maori Party supporting the Bill.

Dr Smith says Maori with rights to fish in the region haven't done so for years, and the total fishing take was only around 20 tonnes a year.

The sanctuary would create an area of 620,000 square kilometres -- almost as large as France -- where fishing and mining would be banned.

"The Kermadec ocean sanctuary is twice the land area of New Zealand and is a significant global commitment to improved protection of the ocean environment," Dr Smith said yesterday….

See full article HERE

Maori roles being replaced at unis -- report

Maori roles at universities are being replaced by general ones as schools try to cut costs, the Tertiary Education Union says.

The union's report into the process called "whitestreaming" has found the practice is now widespread at all eight of the country's universities, 13 of the 18 polytechnics and even one wananga.

Whitestreaming is the replacement of Maori roles and services with generalised ones, such as swapping Maori support officers for general support officers.

TEU national president Sandra Grey has called for the government to restore equity funding to bring back the roles.

TEU's Maori vice-president James Houkamau said the report showed a lack of commitment to Maori students.

"Our institutions have failed to invest in their Maori students and they're neglecting their duties under Te Tiriti o Waitangi," he said…..

See full article HERE

Three Treaty settlement bills pass first reading

The Te Atiawa Claims Settlement Bill, the Taranaki Iwi Claims Settlement Bill and the Rangitāne o Manawatu Claims Settlement Bill passed their first readings today in Parliament during extended sitting hours, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson announced.

When enacted, the bills will give effect to the deeds of settlement signed between Te Atiawa and the Crown on 9 August 2014, Taranaki Iwi and the Crown on 5 September 2015, and Rangitāne o Manawatū and the Crown on 14 November 2015.

The three settlements all include an agreed historical account, Crown acknowledgements and apology as well as cultural, financial and commercial redress in recognition of the Crown’s historical breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi.

“The unanimous support for the bills shows how important the House of Representatives regards these settlements as being for iwi, the Crown and all New Zealanders.

“While the Crown can never fully compensate for the wrongs of the past, these settlements will enable Te Atiawa, Taranaki Iwi and Rangitāne o Manawatū to focus on developing a strong cultural and economic future for their people,” Mr Finlayson said….

See full article HERE

Iwi leaders join UN scrutiny

New Zealand’s performance on the treaty of Waitangi, indigenous rights, privatisation of prisons and the Trans Pacific Partnership will be raised this week at the United Nations Human Rights Committee.

It’s part of a regular review to monitor compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Peace Movement Aotearoa says this country’s lack of constitutional and legal protection for civil and political rights will be among the issues raised at Geneva.

The National Iwi Chairs Forum, the Aotearoa Indigenous Rights Trust, the new Zealand Law Society and New Plymouth mayor Andrew Judd are also among those raising issues.

The government will be represented by Justice Minister Amy Adams and officials from Justice and Foreign Affairs…..

See full article HERE

Stranded orca blessed before burial at Patea Beach

About 8am on Monday the Department of Conservation announced the whale had died before a blessing and burial ceremony was held on the beach

Iwi members, Patea residents, DOC staff and police attended the ceremony where Kaumatua Syd Kershaw blessed the mammal before it was dragged up the beach by a digger and into a large hole.

A rahui has been placed on an area of the beach and will last a month, Ngapari Nui, of Ngati Ruanui said.

"Maori see the whale as a person so we have the same mourning process, which is the reason for the rahui."….

See full article HERE

Waikato-Tainui want court action over disputed farmland

The break up of ailing state-owned mining company Solid Energy has hit a legal hurdle with iwi saying farms currently offered for sale should be offered to them first.

Waikato-Tainui will file an statement of claim in the High Court in Hamilton on Tuesday, to stop debt-laden Solid Energy from proceeding with a tender process on land subject to a right or first refusal (RFR).

The company must meet any obligations like Waikato-Tainui's right of first refusal or the offer-back provisions of the Public Works Act, he said.

Solid Energy has a responsibility to ensure openness, transparency and market-competitiveness in relation to the sale of assets, he said……

See full article HERE

Māori public health expert joins Massey

Māori knowledge about healthy living needs to be resuscitated, says Associate Professor Marewa Glover, who recently joined Massey University’s School of Public Health in a newly created role.

Dr Glover, a behavioural scientist, brings 23 years’ experience working in public health. She started in health promotion before moving into policy, then to research on how to reduce smoking rates.

As an Associate Professor in public health, Dr Glover will supervise Master’s and Doctoral students, and deliver lectures within existing public health papers…..

See full article HERE

Maori language a treasure for all

The chief executive of Te Mangai Paho, John Bishara, is looking forward to working more closely with iwi and Maori language groups once the new Te Reo Maori Bill becomes law.

The revised bill now before parliament leaves the Maori broadcast funding agency and Maori Language Commission as crown agencies, but it sets up a new body, Te Matawai, to allow Maori to develop their own strategy for revitalising the language.

"Maori language isn’t just iwi's taonga. Maori language is everyone's taonga. If it was fish or forests of course iwi should own it, but Maori language, not necessarily. No one owns the reo, the reo has its own mana, and we should all be in there supporting it and making sure it stays as a pinnacle of Maori culture," he says…..

See full article HERE

PM defends 'racist' TVNZ survey

Prime Minister John Key says he does not have a problem with a question in a TVNZ survey which has been labelled racist by Maori MPs.

Mr Key says the question is a legitimate one to ask.

"I mean we're partners together.

"The point of which we signed the treaty - it was the foundation stone of modern New Zealand, but it was the foundation stone of where we were equal and treated equally, and I think my own view is that the government should fund on the basis of need not on the basis of race."

Labour leader Andrew Little said the question did not need to be included in the survey, as it presupposed something that smacked of prejudice.

Te Tai Tokerau MP Kelvin Davis said the question was designed to incite racial intolerance and he wanted it withdrawn.

"I was left thinking, what's special about having our land stolen from us, higher Māori incarceration rate, worst health outcomes, lower educational outcomes - just what exactly is the special treatment we're getting?"

Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei disagreed and said the questions were a disgraceful approach to serious issues facing Māori in Aotearoa.

"What exactly are they asking people about? Are they asking people about having Treaty rights recognised and reparation for land stolen by the Crown, are they talking about the special treatment of not getting access to housing or our parents being kicked out of bars for being Māori?

The Human Rights Commission was also looking into the issue, and said the question about Māori receiving special treatment assumed that was the case…..

See full article HERE

Maori Party calls for changes to justice system

The Maori Party is calling for sweeping changes to the justice system, as the Waitangi Tribunal agrees to hear a case against the Department of Corrections.

Maori make up 15 percent of the population, but more than 50 percent of the prison population.

Maori Party co-leader Marama Fox says she hopes the tribunal case will lead to a shake-up of how Maori are treated by the justice system.

"We need to ensure that we are addressing the issues in the system that is causing those numbers. We also need to look at the dysfunction it causes in families and the continuous cycle that it embeds in our society."

Since 1981, more Maori have been imprisoned than any other ethnicity….

See full article HERE

Government is doing enough for Maori in prisons - Key

The Prime Minister is adamant the Government is doing enough to prevent recidivism amongst Maori.

The United Nations has voiced its concern regarding the over-representation of Maori in prisons and now a group of lawyers is taking the Department of Corrections to the Waitangi Tribunal.

John Key said the case has been brought by a former corrections officer and said the Government tried to get it struck out.

He said the Government is turning every prison in New Zealand into a working prison.

"If you go out to Wiri, you don't just sit around all day. You actually get a skill in terms of a trade of some sort. Every prisoner that wants a drug or alcohol programme now gets that."

Key said the Government doesn't send people to prison, the courts do.

But a criminal justice watchdog says the Department of Corrections is not only unfair to Maori, it's costing other taxpayers as well.

A lawyer says the Crown has an obligation to advance and protect the interests of Maori, and could be in trouble for not doing so.

Chen Palmer public law expert James Dunne said: "When you look at those figures, which do show that Maori are more likely to be arrested, more likely to be charged, more likely to be convicted, whatever the Crown is going in terms of criminal justice, it's not living up to it's obligations to Maori."…

See full article HERE

Young Maori offenders helped into hands-on driver licence classes

Authorities sending young Maori offenders to hands-on learner licence classes are hoping to steer their lives back on track.

Probation officers are referring community-based offenders, who are under 25 and identify as Maori, into kinesthetic learning classes run by iHow Limited.

Since July, 50 offenders have obtained their learner licence in the Community Corrections Lower North region including 16 from the Hutt Valley. Just one failed on their first attempt, but returned to pass….

See full article HERE

Land law reform hits treaty hurdle

Claimants questioning the fast track reform of Maori land law are celebrating a Waitangi Tribunal report that upholds their concerns.

The tribunal found the decision to rewrite the 1993 Te Ture Whenua Maori Act was made without finding out whether the law is working, so neither treaty partner has been properly informed throughout the process.

It says the crown does not have enough support from Maori for the bill to go ahead.

He says it’s no point changing the law to promote Maori land development without making available the estimated $1billion in funding needed…..

See full article HERE

Māori land rates - have your say

What is your opinion on reducing the rates collected from Maori land in Auckland to reflect restrictions on its use?

The Annual Budget consultation is open now until 4pm, 24 March.

Make sure you have your say on this, and other aspects of the budget, by heading to shapeauckland.co.nz for the full consultation document and other information to help you make your mind up. …

See full article HERE

Archaeological significance hopes to halt special housing

About 300 people joined hands in Mangere today in a bid to stop a housing project on what an archaeologist calls "the paddock next to Stonehenge".

Mr Veart said about 100,000 years ago our distant ancestors set off from Africa to colonise the world, and the last place on the planet they reached was Aotearoa, and one of the first places they reached was Otuataua….

See full article HERE

Mayor to mentor young Maori leader

Nelson City Council Mayor Rachel Reese will be mentoring this year’s TUIA candidate, Liam Doherty, throughout the year to come.

TUIA is a nationwide programme designed to develop the leadership capacity of young Mūori (rangatahi) with mentoring by the Mayor of his or her district or city…

See full article HERE

DOC and iwi determined to keep world's clearest lake pristine

Lake Rotomairewhenua, or the Blue Lake, is located in the Nelson Lakes National Park, but can only be accessed by two days' walk or by helicopter, provided you have the appropriate permit.

The waters are sacred to Ngati Apa, who traditionally only used it to prepare bodies….

See full article HERE

Maori alphabet

See image HERE

From the NZCPR archives by Dr Muriel Newman
The March to Maori Sovereignty
It has been disconcerting watching the political courtship rituals taking place in the corridors of power over the last few weeks, especially those made towards the Maori Party by National. While the National Party should be congratulated for investigating whether they could realistically form an alternative government, even a superficial look at the Maori Party’s election promises would have revealed a radical sovereignty agenda that should have excluded it from any further consideration.

For those of us who support the abolition of race-based privilege and the principle of one law for all, the mere existence of the Maori Party in Parliament is an abomination. By promoting separatism and Maori sovereignty, they are working only for the advantage of Maori, not for the good of all New Zealanders. Indeed, the entry into Parliament of the Maori Party can be considered to be another step towards apartheid, and rather than shelving the call for the abolition of the Maori seats, center right parties should be strengthening it.

An overview of the Maori Party’s agenda can be found on their website. It includes raising the minimum wage to $12.50 an hour, reinstating the moratorium on genetic engineering, introducing a Maori quota for radio and television, funding Maori housing, making Maori language compulsory in the public sector, teaching ‘customary knowledge’ in pre-school, primary, and secondary schools, and providing for the separate delivery of services to Maori……
Continue reading HERE
October 21, 2005

Maori Party co-leader Marama Fox says the new Te Reo Maori Bill should put pressure on mainstream government departments to do more to revitalise the Maori language.

Ms Fox says once the board is passed, efforts can be made to increase the budgets of Maori radio and Maori Television.

"For each of those departments, they have responsibility, to maintain the reo across their individual departments, not just education but in justice, in health in all of those areas. The reo is a taonga for all New Zealand and those other government departments need to take up the responsibility, of the survival of the language in their areas and have the budget to do so," says Marama Fox….

See full article HERE

Māori officer praised by whānau

The mother of a 27-year-old man, who was arrested in a stand-off with police in Onepu, Kawerau, has come forward pleading that tikanga Māori should be used by police when it comes to dealing with Māori…..

See full article HERE

Win for urban Maori in reo bill

Tamaki Makaurau MP Peeni Henare says the Maori Language (Te Reo Maori) Bill has polished up well but there is still work to be done at the committee stages.

He’d like to see some clear goals in the bill, such as doubling the number of Maori speakers over the next decade….

See full article HERE

Survey's questions about Maori New Zealanders biased

Survey's questions about Maori New Zealanders biased - Human Rights Commission

The Human Rights Commission says Kiwis should think before they link to an online survey launched by the state broadcaster that poses leading and biased questions about Maori New Zealanders.

Created by the team behind 2014’s Vote Compass, in one question Kiwimeter states “Maori should not receive any special treatment” and asks respondents for their opinions on this.

“The Treaty of Waitangi settlements process is a judicial form of truth and reconciliation that acknowledges human rights abuses faced by generations of New Zealanders: to describe it as ‘special treatment’ is disingenuous and wrong.”….

See full article HERE

Whakarongotai Marae cultural assessment delays Waikanae car park construction

Waikanae's new railway station car park has been delayed, partly because of a cultural assessment of the work, commissioned by trustees of the neighbouring Whakarongotai Marae.

Work on the planned park-and-ride, on the site of the demolished Waikanae pub, was scheduled to begin in January and finish next month, but has stalled, and may not be concluded until the middle of the year.

Marae trustees commissioned a consultant to complete the project, with Greater Wellington Regional Council covering the costs……

See full article HERE

Iwi dispute re-opening of Puketapu quarry

Waikato and Maniapoto iwi groups are opposing a consent application to re-open the Pukeatua quarry. Sonny Karena (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Haua) says local iwi are concerned about their old Hangahanga Pā site within the quarry.

Pukeatua Quarry land owners want to reopen it, but the local iwi are not having a bar of it.

Landowners C Smith, D Smith and M Stewart have applied for resource consents from the Waikato Regional Council to work the quarry.

Karena says the whanau are united on the issue, “The Hangahanga site is an old Pā site also belonging to the tribe of Hauā. The place where many battles took place. Māori against Māori. As it was in those days, after that, this marae called Te Taumata (Pārāwera) was built. That's their concern.”…

See full article HERE

Early stages of State Highway 3 Mt Messenger to Awakino Tunnel project set out

"It will be a major boost for access to Taranaki and the Waikato."

A delegation of representatives from Ngati Tama, one of the iwi affected by the project, was at the meeting.

Spokesman Greg White said the announcement of the project had been a surprise to the iwi, who felt they should have been informed earlier by the Taranaki Regional Council.

Maxwell said the announcement had been a complete surprise to the committee as well, and that consultation with landowners and iwi was a priority.

"We are in support of the project but we need to discuss with NZTA how we best proceed," White said outside the meeting."…..

See full article HERE

Passing of second reading of Maori Language Bill celebrated

The Maori Party joins with all reo warriors tonight to celebrate the passing of the second reading of the MÄori Language (Te Reo Maori) Bill.

For the second time in Parliament’s history, a dual language bill was introduced in to the House, but for the first time ever, the Maori language version prevails in the event of conflict over interpretation between the two versions.

"This ground-breaking bill will be enacted in both Maori and in English, but te reo will have mana in law over the English translation version. The Bill will also introduce a new way for the Crown, Iwi and Maori to work together on Maori language revitalisation," says Maori Party Co-leader, Te Ururoa Flavell….

See full article HERE

Rare whales die on Northland beach

Local iwi has given permission for marine experts to examine three rare whales that stranded and died on a Northland beach.

They stood guard while waiting for local iwi to arrive and bless the site before the whales were transported to a burial site nearby where a necropsy was expected to have been conducted late yesterday…..

See full article HERE

'Rotokawau' now part of lake's name

VIRGINIA Lake will now be known as Rotokawau Virginia Lake.

Whanganui district councillors yesterday formally voted in favour of the name change which has been slowly introduced to signage in recent years.

Whanganui District Council and Te Runanga O Tupoho had previously agreed to change the name. Yesterday's council decision also named the surrounding reserve Rotokawau Virginia Lake Reserve….

See full article HERE

Mayors hear Government plan to wipe rates debt on unused Maori land

Mayors gathered to hear the Government's plan to wipe rates debt on unused Maori land, in line with other land reforms to be introduced to Parliament.

To qualify, Maori land owners would either have to prove to councils the were committed to developing land, or adversely, that there was little prospect of the land ever being used or occupied.

Gisborne mayor Meng Foon said there was $65 million in outstanding rates on Maori land across the country, according the minister's numbers - $4 million of that debt was in his district…..

See full article HERE

Taura Whiri losing operational focus

Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell says leaving Te Taura Whiri and and Te Mangai Paho as crown entities is in the best interests of Maori language revival.

He says the Bill brings iwi and crown together so both sides have a responsibility to do their bit.

Mr Flavell says while at the moment there is no new money for Maori language programmes, in future years he will push for an increase in money for community initiatives as well as change in the way mainstream government departments spend on te reo…..

See full article HERE

Ngai Tahu wants to map important ancestral sites and cultural landscapes in the Queenstown Lakes district to ensure they are better recognised in council planning.

Runanga representatives told commissioners in Queenstown yesterday the maps should form the basis of new provisions in the second stage of the council's proposed district plan (PDP).

They were the first verbal submissions to the hearings panel out of the 1200 lodged with the council late last year.

Kai Tahu ki Otago senior planner Maree Kleinlangevelsloo said "wahi tupuna'' mapping would be linked to objectives, policies and rules in the PDP to ensure features such as trails, mountains and battle sites were recognised.

Another submission by Oraka-Aparima Runanga executive member Jane Kitson called for an amendment to the PDP to include a policy from the National Policy Statement relating to freshwater management.

The policy required local authorities to take "reasonable steps'' to involve iwi and hapu in the management of fresh water and fresh water ecosystems…..

See full article HERE

Politicians to hear petition for Land Wars national day

Politicians will hear the case for an official day of recognition for the 19th century New Zealand Land Wars - from high school students.

More than 13,000 people have signed a petition in favour of a Land Wars Day, started by students from Otorohanga College. It will be presented to the Maori Affairs select committee on Wednesday.

"I think we can have more relevant public holidays than some of the ones we have now," Mahuta said.

"We could, for example, celebrate Matariki on the Queen's Birthday which is near the same time."

Mahuta said New Zealand's story and history should take precedent when remembering significant days for the country…..

See full article HERE

Council grants boost kaupapa Māori in schools

The Auckland Council's regional sports and recreation grants has been awarded to Sport Waitakere for its He Oranga Poutama ki Tāmaki Makaurau sports programme.

Part of the funding is a welcome boost for Kaupapa Māori programmes which have been introduced into various Auckland Schools, one of which is Mauri Tū. Mauri Tū is based around Māori weaponry, and it's many variables including physical, spiritual and mental well-being.

Sport Waitākere's Chief Executive Lynette Adams says, "We are very pleased Auckland Council sees the value in supporting kaupapa Māori programmes like these."….

See full article HERE

No co-management with Maori on Kermadec ocean sanctuary

A new board will be set up to govern the Kermadec ocean sanctuary but will not entail the "co-management" structure iwi had wanted.

However, two seats would be given to representatives from Ngati Kuri and Te Aupouri.

The Government has introduced a bill to establish the world's largest non-fishing ocean sanctuary north east of the country, and a governing board would be responsible for developing the area including the on-land nature reserves.

"Like all discussions with Maoridom, there's give and take," Smith said.

"This is not as much as they would have liked, the would have preferred a co-management structure. They would have preferred to have more representatives on the board."

Witana said the partnership highlighted Maori involvement in protecting and nurturing the environment, and he hoped they would have a stronger role in the governance arrangements over time…..

See full article HERE

Iwi want more say on scattered ashes

Iwi say people should have to consult with them about where they scatter ashes of the dead.

A recent review of burial and cremation laws by the Law Commission, led by Dr Wayne Mapp, found more needed to be done to respect cultural concerns about scattering ashes in sacred sites.

"We thought the current situation really was not good enough."

He said iwi wanted more control but many were not keen on a full formal process as it would be onerous on everyone involved…..

See full article HERE

Mole News is published on a regular basis to expose the on-going build up of race-based privilege in New Zealand. The Mole welcomes tips - please send to mole@nzcpr.com. Older news items can be found HERE and HERE and HERE.

9 March 2016

Waitangi Tribunal to hear claims over TPPA

The Waitangi Tribunal will hold an urgent hearing into claims made over the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement.

The Tribunal confirmed in December the issues for urgent inquiry.

They are whether or not the provisions in the TPPA relating to the Treaty of Waitangi provide effective protection of Māori interests, and what Māori input is required for the ratification of the TPPA to be compliant with the Crown’s obligations under the Treaty.

Next week the Tribunal will hear from the claimants and the Crown - and the evidence of three expert witnesses commissioned by the claimants, the Crown and the Tribunal respectively….

See full article HERE

Further article on the above HERE

Iwi leaders tackle marine reserve plan

Iwi leaders are pushing for changes to the government’s proposed new marine protected areas policy.

The plan will turn the inner Hauraki Gulf and the Marlborough Sounds into recreational fishing parks with commercial fishers excluded.

Willie Te Aho from the the conservation iwi leadership group says iwi believe the proposals affect their rights confirmed under the Maori fisheries settlement.

Mr Te Aho says if they can’t get the protections they seek, iwi may initiate court action…

See full article HERE

EPA meets with concerned iwi over administration of sea burials

The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) fronted today over growing concerns among iwi at its administration of sea burials off the Northland coast.

The Ngāti Kuta and Te Patu Keha, hapū of the Bay of Islands, will join Far North iwi at a hui in Kaitaia.

Taika Tukariri of Matarahurahu hapū says, “We are angry because what's been decided is foreign to our own customs. I don't really know where that custom comes from.”…

See full article HERE

Kermadec sanctuary to go ahead despite iwi opposition

A marine sanctuary will go ahead in the Kermadec Islands regardless of iwi opposition, Prime Minister John Key says.

Legislation which will establish New Zealand's largest ocean sanctuary 1000km northeast of the North Island will be introduced in Parliament tomorrow.

Mr Key told reporters this afternoon that "everyone is excluded" from the 620,000sq km sanctuary, including Maori whose Treaty settlements granted them fishing quota rights within the proposed boundaries of the reserve.

Iwi had not taken up these rights and the migratory species found at the Kermadecs could be caught elsewhere, he said.

Mr Key said the Government would consider including iwi in the governance of the sanctuary. But compensation for affected Maori was out of the question…..

See full article HERE

Road shadow over hapu land

Rotorua iwi are unhappy that their land is still bound by a designation it could be taken for a future highway.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges says the government will upgrade State Highway 30 and Te Ngae Road going east of the town by the airport at a cost of $24 million, rather than going ahead with the Rotorua Eastern Arterial route nearer to the lake.

But he won't lift the 1964 designation on that route that affects land owned by members of Hurunga te Rangi, To Roro o te Rangi and Ngati Uenukukopako.

Rotorua Lakes Mayor Steve Chadwick says addressing congestion on Te Ngae Rd is a good start but a long term solution is still needed.

But she says the council wants to see the 50-year-old Rotorua eastern arterial designation lifted, because it's an historic injustice to local iwi…..

See full article HERE

Te Reo Māori rolled out through court system

The Ministry of Justice is giving new training to its court staff through the use of audio files and flip cards to help with pronunciation.

The flip cards have simple to read English translations underneath Te Reo Māori phrasing, all to help it's staff feel confident in making announcements in Te Reo Māori.

All court sessions now with Justices of the Peace and Community Magistrates will open and close the session using Te Reo Māori phrases and greetings.

This expanded use of the Māori language follows the earlier introduction of Te Reo Māori announcements for Family Court, Youth Court, Māori Land Court, Waitangi Tribunal, Rangatahi Youth Court and Matariki Court……

See full article HERE

Prisoners lose legal bid for voting rights

The prisoners also argued the law discriminated against Maori because Maori were over-represented in prison and the act "increases the vulnerability of an already vulnerable Treaty partner in the country's political landscape". ….

See full article HERE

Polytech's proposed name revealed

A proposed name for Rotorua's newly merged polytechnic has been revealed but not everyone in the Bay of Plenty is happy with it.

The former Waiariki Institute of Technology and Bay of Plenty Polytechnic is likely to be known as Toi Oho Mai Institute of Technology…

See full article HERE

Seymour calls on Government to remove iwi tax exemption

ACT Leader David Seymour has congratulated Go Bus for their significant contract win, picking up four South Auckland public transport contracts.

However it is also a demonstration of how lower tax rates make businesses competitive. “As an Iwi-owned trust, Go Bus receives favourable tax treatment,” says Mr Seymour.

“The 28 per cent company tax rate means that New Zealand companies pay one of the highest effective tax rates on capital in the world, even allowing for imputations. Iwi pay the lower Maori Authority rate of 17.5 per cent.

“ACT’s policy is to harmonise the company tax of 28 per cent with the Maori Authority rate of 17.5 per cent over time…

See full article HERE

Sonny Tau's court case transferred to Invercargill

Northland iwi leader Sonny Tau has had his case for shooting Kereru transferred to Invercargill.

Mr Tau has admitted charges of shooting five endangered Kereru that were found in his luggage.

According to court documents seen by RNZ News, he had visited family in Invercargill in June.

Before flying to his home in Northland he was searched by a Conservation Department officer who found the frozen Kereru, along with a .22 calibre rifle.

Mr Tau told the authorities the birds were for kaumatua.

He also faces another charge of conspiring to pervert the course of justice, which is connected to the case….

See full article HERE

Sir Mason Durie to visit Nelson

New Zealand professor of Māori Studies and research academic at Massey University, Professor Sir Mason Durie (Rangitane, Ngāti Kauwhata) is coming to Nelson this month to address the South Island Occupational Therapists on ‘practising appropriately for bicultural Aotearoa New Zealand’.

Sir Mason has been at the forefront of a transformational approach to Maori health for over 40 years. He has made, and continues to make, an enormous contribution to Māori health in New Zealand….

See full article HERE

Auckland Museum opens new Treaty of Waitangi Exhibit

Visitors will be able to see digital copies of the Treaty and read the English and Māori versions of the Treaty text alongside.

Professor Sir Hugh Kawharu’s English translation of the Māori text. This feature will enable visitors to compare the versions.

A touchscreen map illustrates the changes in land ownership since the signing of the Treaty to today, and shows where the Treaty was signed right here in Tāmaki Makaurau.

The display features films that have been especially commissioned by the Museum, to reveal the various perspectives about the Treaty and the process of Treaty Settlement. Among other things, visitors will have an opportunity to understand the history and be able to place the financial settlement in the context of the hurt and wrong that the Crown acknowledges..…

See full article HERE

Ngati Porou grow their assets

Ngati Porou are major players in the Tairawhiti economy, especially since their 2010 Treaty settlement. Mark Peters talks to the managers of their business operations and holding company chairman Matanuku Mahuika. ….

See full article HERE

From NZCPR BreakingViews archives by Alan Duff
Maori under-performance
I’ve yet to hear one person suggest compulsory parenting courses at high school. I’ve yet to hear suggestions of imposing consequences on bad parents. The law of consequence – in other words, taking responsibility for our own actions – has left the lexicon. Well, where Maori are concerned it has. There’s always some professional excuse-monger who leaps up and blames “the system” or “government” or “Child, Youth Family” or “Western culture” on our every failing.

Yet if the vast numbers of high school soon-mothers-to-be at least had learned good parenting skills at school, we’d reduce quite substantially the abuse and murders of children by their parents and care-givers. And the irresponsible fathers-to-be are not excluded from the courses. Indeed, there would be quite a different emphasis on young males in teaching them how to respect women, mothers, the notion of making sacrifices for your children, the absolute bottom-line ethos that LOVING A CHILD makes for a happy, healthy adult. Reading to a child would also be one of the key messages hammered home.

What commentators and so-called experts have failed to see is the common denominator of poor/appalling parenting skills in every case of child abuse, murder of children such as the Kahui case. I grew up with this lacking and witnessed and lived its invariably awful consequences. I saw children beaten up as if they were male adults, punched repeatedly with full adult blows by a father, uncle and not a few mothers, against children as young as five, slapped with great force if they were younger…..
Continue reading Alan Duff's interesting article HERE

July 8, 2003

Reserve status revoked for land handover

Rotorua Lakes Council (RLC) has moved to revoke the reserve status of water supply land at Hamurana Springs and transfer ownership back to Ngati Rangiwewehi.

It would spell the end of a long-held grievance for the iwi which recently celebrated the return of ownership of water supply land at Taniwha Springs.

The Crown's failure to return Hamurana Springs remains an unresolved grievance for Ngati Rangiwewehi.

The iwi has a special relationship with Hamurana and Taniwha springs which were home to two taniwha, Henerua (Hamurana) and Pekehaua (Taniwha)…

See full article HERE

Durie called in to shape Auckland data

Auckland’s Independent Maori Statutory Board has turned to the social scientist behind the creation of the Whanau Ora policy to help guide its new approach to policy making.

Massey university Emeritus Professor Sir Mason Durie will lead a panel of eight experts who will identify sources of data the board can use when it advocates on issues that affect Maori.

It will collaborate Statistics New Zealand, Auckland Council’s research unit and other partners.

Sir Mason Durie says it will advise on the best way to capture the voice of Maori in Tamaki Makaurau and formulate data in a way that will help drive advice and advocacy…..

See full article HERE

Calls for Māori signage at all airports and banks

Umere, a Maori language group, is calling for the government to mandate Maori-English signage in major institutions such as airports and banks.

The group wants Maori and English signposting to be used in these locations to give effect to Maori as an official language.

‘We think the Minister will support us,’ says Umere chair Maraea Hunia. ‘We’re noticing that our aiports and banks and other organisations are putting other languages ahead of Maori, and that a law change will address this.’ …..

See full article HERE

Further article HERE

Hōne Heke’s tribal flag comes to Auckland in time for the referendum

As the New Zealand flag debate rages on, the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) is preparing to welcome legendary Hōne Heke’s original tribal flag to Auckland.

This powerful taonga from the Te Matarahurahu hapū, the first Māori clan to sign the Treaty of Waitangi, will travel from Waitangi to be unveiled during a dawn pōwhiri at MOTAT on Thursday 3 March 2016.

The loan was arranged by Ngāpuhi leader David Rankin to emphasise the important role Māori have played in the historical flag debate; from Hōne Heke’s rebellion through to the service of the Māori battalion…..

See full article HERE

Treaty of Waitangi moving to new exhibition at National Library

Planning is on track for the new constitutional exhibition to open at the National Library of New Zealand in Wellington during early next year.

A design has been selected for the new exhibition which will enable greater access to our three most important constitutional documents: the 1835 Declaration of Independence of the Northern Chiefs/He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni; the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi /Te Tiriti o Waitangi; and the 1893 Women’s Suffrage Petition.

The three documents need the highest level of conservation and each presents unique preservation challenges. The Declaration is written on three sides of two pieces of paper, the Treaty is made up of nine different documents – two on parchment (processed animal skin) and seven on paper, and the Women’s Suffrage Petition is more than 500 sheets of paper, all glued together to form one continuous 274 metre-long roll.

The exhibition has been developed in partnership with iwi Māori.

“I have worked closely with iwi leaders from throughout the country and Wellington manawhenua iwi leaders. A formal Māori Technical Advisory Group has provided valuable guidance for the development of the exhibition and a Women’s Suffrage Petition Advisory Group has also provided advice. “….

See full article HERE

Data strategy aims to improve well-being of Māori

The Independent Māori Statutory Board (IMSB) is employing a new way of working with Māori data through their data strategy.

The strategy involves working with organisations like Statistics New Zealand and Auckland Council’s research unit, and will allow the IMSB to access, share and analyse data relevant to Māori outcomes in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland). This approach will provide cost-effective and relevant information to help guide the creation of priorities and policy…..

See full article HERE

Māori Party supports greater trustee control over Wairarapa whenua

Māori Party Co-leader Marama Fox is thrilled that tangata whenua in Wairarapa will be given greater control over the Papawai and Kaikōkirikiri Trusts.

“It’s about Parliament recognising the trustee’s rangatiratanga over their land and scholarship funds”, she says.

Mrs Fox says the trustees, which manage 300 hectares of land and distribute $60,000 in education scholarships each year, will soon see significant changes made to their governing legislation....

See full article HERE

A new multi-pronged attack on gangs and gang culture could leave some families worse off, the Maori Party says.

Two pilot programmes have been put in place in the Bay of Plenty, and the East Coast to break what the government calls the intergenerational family gang cycle.

A new gang intelligence centre is also up and running to collect information on gang activities and family trees.

The initiatives follow the release of a report which says 60 percent of children born to gang parents are abused or neglected and 9 out of ten gang members have received a benefit.

But Maori Party co-leader Marama Fox was worried women and children who were associated with gang members were going to be ostracised.

Police Minister Judith Collins said violence bred violence and the government needed to do what it could to break the family gang cycle.

Ms Collins said the gang intelligence centre would use its information to disrupt and dismantle illegal gang activities and to identify and offer support to the those who want out….

See full article HERE

A further related article HERE

Maori protestors to enter flag debate at museum

Auckland’s MOTAT (the Museum of Transport and Technology) is facing protest threats over plans to exhibit a famous flag from Thursday Morning (3 March).

Ngapuhi leader David Rankin negotiated with MOTAT to put on display the flag designed by his ancestor, the chief Hone Heke. Heke famously cut down the flagpole in Russell in 1844 and now his personal flag will be exhibited at MOTAT, on the day that the country’s flag referendum starts.

Mr Rankin has been warned that there will be protests from Maori groups at the powhiri at MOTAT on Thursday 3 March at 7:00 am because the flag is associated with war and the massacre of other North Island tribes.

“Bringing Heke’s flag to Auckland at this time will re-focus the nation’s thoughts on what flags mean to us,” says Mr Rankin. He says that the threats of violence and protest do not concern him. “I’m ready for them”, he says. “They will be in for an ugly surprise if they thing they can take on Ngapuhi.”….

See full article HERE

Te reo Maori revitalisation scholarships open

Te Taura Whiri i te Reo MÄori and NgÄ Pae o te MÄramatanga are calling for applications to their ‘Kia Ita’ Scholarships which opens today.

Five scholarships worth $10,000 each are available to post graduate Masters student’s and focus on building research capacity and capability and increasing the body of knowledge required to inform language revitalisation efforts.

"We are urging those who want to make a difference and who are taking action to ensure te reo MÄori thrives in Aotearoa, to apply," said Te Taura Whiri i te Reo MÄori Chief Executive Ngahiwi Apanui….

See full article HERE

Iwi Interests at Awaroa (Opinion)

All contributors are to be congratulated on retrieving from private ownership the precious lands at Awaroa. While iwi have supported the campaign, iwi spokespeople recently expressed interest in ownership of the Awaroa land, stemming from Crown actions or inactions.

Local iwi argue that despite the guarantees of Article II of the Treaty of Waitangi that they could retain all their lands until they chose to sell, their ancestors had no choice, and no real negotiations took place. Hence they have an interest in all lands which were part of the Waipounamu Purchases, including Awaroa…..

See full article HERE

Nonsense from Radio NZ

Recently I (Willie Jackson) have been severely critical of Radio New Zealand’s Maori programming which came about because National radio cancelled their Maori News Te Manu Korihi last October.

This is an insult to Maori we are 15 percent of the population yet we only get 2 percent of Maori news and stories and that is simply not good enough.

I am the chair of the 21 station Maori radio network. We receive $11million from the Crown for broadcasting primarily in the Maori language. We have to be accountable at all times. Contrast that with National radio who receive $35million of taxpayers’ money, pay token respect to Maori stories, show little accountability and have been getting away with this for years.

The decision last year to cancel the Maori specific news in English means now that despite Maori being the treaty partner we now have no guaranteed voice on our National broadcaster.

We want our stories, our language and our people on National radio…..

See full article HERE

Surgeons to use mentoring not quotas to grow Maori surgeon numbers

An action plan to get more Maori doctors training as surgeons is focusing on mentoring rather than quota filling.

The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons has committed to a Maori Health Action Plan which seeks to increase the number of Maori surgeons and improve cultural competency across the field……

See full article HERE

Te Rongoa programme launches in Tauranga

Bay of Plenty Community Corrections has launched a programme which aims to provide participants with the ability to recognise and care for a selection of native plants and gain a basic understanding of their healing properties.

Te Rongoa is the traditional Māori medicinal use of plants.

For six weeks, two groups of 18 offenders will spend four hours each week at Te Rourou, the local community garden at the Tauranga Community Corrections Site, where the programme will run.

The course covers tikanga – the correct protocols for planting and harvesting rongoa, as well as plant identification and properties. The first group are set to graduate during the first week of April 2016….

See full article HERE

Huntly hero wins top Waikato scholarship

Keihana is the proud reciepient of a Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarship – an all-fees paying scholarship that supports students in a chosen discipline, and provides mentoring, personal development and leadership opportunities while they study.

Keihana is studying towards a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Te Reo Māori and Linguistics, and says the Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarship means more than just fees support and mentoring……

See full article HERE

'You cannot bury your dead in our food baskets'

Northland iwi want a stronger say about where and when bodies are buried at sea.

The Environment Protection Authority, which has control over burials more than 12 nautical miles from shore, authorised five locations where bodies could be buried when it took over the consent process from Maritime New Zealand in October.

The areas were chosen primarily because they were zones where munitions and the hulks of ships and other material had already been dumped, EPA exclusive economic zone compliance manager Matthew Dean said.

Under the law, iwi would be notified once permission had been granted for a burial to take place.......

See full article HERE

New partnership between Auckland Museum and MIT

Taku Tāmaki -Auckland Stories South at MIT Manukau represents an exciting new partnership between Manukau Institute of Technology and Auckland War Memorial Museum……

See full article HERE

Manurewa Māori School overshowed By Charter School

Green MP Marama Davidson says the government's allocation of financial bonuses to four charter schools is an insult to Māori education. This comes after the Ministry refused to move forward with plans to build a new premises for Te Wharekura o Manurewa.

Six years on and Te Wharekura o Manurewa are still waiting to have their new school built. The principal, Māhia Nathan is troubled at the quick establishment of a new charter school in the area.

Mr Nathan says, “In 2014 the Ministry (MoE) halted discussions about our new school. At the same time, they started a new charter school, South Auckland Middle School.”

Greens MP Marama Davidson is concerned that charter schools are getting preference over Māori kura….

See full article HERE

Maori to review UN's indigenous outreach

Indigenous law expert Claire Charters from Ngati Whakaue, Tuwharetoa, Nga Puhi and Tainui has been appointed to a group looking at the participation of indigenous peoples at the United Nations.

Dr Charters is the Associate Dean for Equity and Maori at the University of Auckland’s law faculty.

Her PhD thesis examined the legitimacy of indigenous peoples’ norms under international law….

See full article HERE

Celebrating National Parks

The Department of Conservation and the USA Embassy will celebrate national parks and the benefits of getting out into nature during a visit to Tongariro National Park March this week.

Department of Conservation Director General Lou Sanson says Tongariro, New Zealand’s oldest national park and dual world heritage area is the perfect place for US Ambassador Mark Gilbert to kick off a yearlong celebration of 100 years of USA national parks.

Horonuku Te Heuheu Tukino IV (Paramount Chief) of Ngāti Tūwharetoa one of the tribes with mana whenua (occupational authority) over the land in this region extended kaitiakitanga (custodianship) of the peaks of Tongariro, Ngāuruhoe and part of the peak of Ruapehu to the people of New Zealand September 23 1887. The other iwi with mana whenua are Ngāti Rangi, Uenuku, Ngāti Haaua and the Whanganui iwi.

Tongariro, New Zealand's oldest national park and a dual World Heritage area was created in 1894. It was the fourth national park in the world.

Tongariro has subsequently been the first in the southern hemisphere classified for cultural values. This status recognises the park's important Maori cultural and spiritual associations as well as its outstanding volcanic features…..

See full article HERE

Māori criticise land law consultation

The government has wrapped up a consultation process over a proposed law aimed at giving Māori more say over what to do with their communally-owned land.

Māori own 5 percent of New Zealand's land mass and much of it is underutilised and in multiple titles.

Māori believe they come from the land and land has always been a big issue, with land sparking the New Zealand Wars and Dame Whina Cooper marching the length of the country for land in 1975.

Over the past two years the Crown has been on a consultation roadshow seeking Māori land owner's views on land laws.

The law administers and protects a little over 1.4 million hectares of Aotearoa. But it's not that simple: that land is sliced up into 27,000 titles with 2.3 million owner interests - that's about 85 owners per title.

At a Whangarei meeting, Rotorua lawyer Annette Sykes called for a number of resolutions.

"I'm asking this hui to put this resolution that any proposal to do with Māori land must entrench the Treaty of Waitangi as the basis from which Māori land will be managed."

Māori Council spokesperson Maanu Paul said the consultation process had been woeful. He said the government was eyeing up Maori land for its own benefit…

See full article HERE

RACS commits to more Maori surgeons

The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) has committed to increasing the number of MÄori surgeons in New Zealand and promoting cultural competence as a core professional skill in its Trainees and Fellows as part of its newly developed MÄori Health Action Plan.

One of the core aims of the Action Plan is to develop a more culturally appropriate surgical workforce for MÄori. This includes redressing the under-representation of MÄori surgeons and Trainees, and recognising the value of cultural diversity and cultural competence during the selection of all Trainees into surgery…..

See full article HERE

It's been two years in the making, but a carved pou now towers over pupils at Hamilton's Pukete School.

Standing adjacent to the school's flagpole - still sporting the Union Jack and Southern Cross - the pou was much taller than the 7 metres it was supposed to be, said Gavin Oliver, Pukete School principal.

The pou, named Nga Kaitiaki o Pukete [the guardians of Pukete] has helped the school build a stronger relationship with the Maori community.

"It's really an alignment showing education is a shared pathway and hopefully a bright future," Oliver said.

"The area is quite rich in Maori history and it's depicted on the pou, which gives us a link to our community."....

See full article HERE

Rena: Iwi to appeal

Consent to leave the remains of Rena, its equipment and cargo on the reed where it ran aground has been controversially granted

Bay of Plenty iwi plan to appeal a decision to allow the Rena wreck to be left on Astrolabe Reef.

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council yesterday approved applications by the Astrolabe Community Trust for consent to leave the remains of the MV Rena, its equipment and cargo on the reef….

See full article HERE

RNZ challenged on level of Maori content

Radio New Zealand has responded to criticism of the level of Maori content on RNZ National with a statement outlining the broadcaster’s Maori strategy. Mediawatch looks at the criticism and RNZ's response…..

See full article HERE

An untouched slice of paradise is being eyed for development by iwi

An hour north of Queen Street lies one of the the last untouched beaches in the greater Auckland area. But developers are eyeing up the golden sands of Pakiri, and not everyone is happy about it.

The incessant creep of development out of Auckland, and the ravenous appetite for beachfront property, has bypassed Pakiri. Until now. Secret plans for a major residential subdivision and regional park have been drafted up.

They include plans for 60 houses to be built on the 754 hectare pine forest, Mangawhai South Forest, a joint venture between the iwi and a Queenstown developer John Darby….

See full article HERE

From the NZCPR archives (By David Round)
Who is Indigenous?
But if Japanese and Britons, despite thousands of years of occupation, are not indigenous, how can Maori be indigenous after a mere 800 years in New Zealand?

By what part of the law of nature, too, does arriving somewhere before someone else confer a completely new and extra set of inherent and indefeasible human rights?

There might be many descendants of our European pioneers who would rather like the idea that, because their ancestors arrived here some generations ago, they had more rights than do recent immigrants. There will be no prizes for guessing the reaction of human rights advocates to that suggestion. But if the descendants of those who arrived by sailing ship may not have special rights, why should the descendants of those who arrived by canoe enjoy them?

Should Sir Edmund Hillary own Mt Everest because he was there first? Should the United States of America own the moon because its men landed there first?….
Read David Round's 'food for thought' article HERE
June 6, 2010

Bill to revitalise te reo Maori through partnership - Maori Party

The Maori Language (Te Reo Maori) Bill, tabled back in Parliament today, introduces a new way of the Crown and Maori working together to revive te reo Maori.

"Our reo is a taonga and we all need to work together to ensure it survives and flourishes", says Mr Flavell.

Mr Flavell says while the bill remains true to his predecessor’s intent, "it also clarifies the roles of the Crown and Maori with respect to the protection and promotion of te reo".

The establishment of Te Matawai - a new independent statutory organisation that will lead the Maori and iwi language strategy - remains central to the Bill. It recognises Maori as kaitiaki (guardians) of the language.

"One of the most important functions of this bill is that it affirms the status of te reo Maori as an official language of our country and as a taonga of te iwi Maori….

See full article HERE

Whangarei Hospital opens Te Kotuku, new maternity unit

Pregnant Whangarei women expecting their baby in March could be among the first to experience Whangarei Hospital's new maternity unit, Te Kotuku.

Chamberlain explained the name, which translates to white heron, was chosen as a "symbol of prestige, purity and uniqueness."

"One of the greatest compliments in the Maori world (Te Ao Maori) is to liken someone to the kotuku for it signifies everything rare and beautiful."

He says the facility is purpose-built to provide "culturally and clinically safe maternity care"….

See full article HERE

Water battle for Nelson iwi

Nelson-based iwi Ngati Tama ki Te Waipounamu says it’s relieved land at the Awaroa Inlet will remain in New Zealand hands, but other resources in the area are under threat.

Chair Leanne Mason says while the public got behind the effort to save a beach, the Tasman District Council is deciding in secret whether to allow further commercial exploitation of Te Waikoropupu Springs in nearby Golden Bay.

They are the largest cold water springs in the Southern Hemisphere and contain some of the clearest water ever measured.

The resource consents are being decided without public consultation on a non-notified basis.

Ms Mason says Ngati Tama opposes the plan, but the council refuses to recognise the iwi as an affected party despite its historic and cultural connection to Te Waikoropupu…..

See full article HERE

New sculpture on Wellington's waterfront

The latest in the 4 Plinths project is a work by Tauranga artist Kereama Taepa. It features four aluminium pieces in pixelated space invaders shapes that depict a Maori meeting house representing Maori habitation; a mitre, representing the missionaries and early European settlement; a crown, representing the Queen and the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi; and the Beehive, representing the current government….

See full article HERE

$4m investment in Māori-led science & innovation

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce and Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell today announced the opening of the 2016 investment round for Te Pūnaha Hihiko - Vision Mātauranga Capability Fund.

“The Vision Matauranga Capability Fund, is designed to grow the skills and capacity of Māori researchers and organisations in science and innovation and support outcomes that benefit Māori and New Zealand," Mr Joyce says.

See full article HERE
Up to $2 million per annum is available for investment in new programmes over the next two years…..

See full article HERE

Govt launches Māori land fund

Applications open today for a $13 million government fund intended to improve the use of Māori land.

The Whenua Māori Fund is intended to support owners and trustees of Māori land who want to either start using their whenua, improve their current operations or diversify…

See full article HERE

Iwi back beach buy but sound title warning

Local iwi are happy the public campaign to buy Awaroa Beach has been successful.

Wakatū Incorporation chair Paul Morgan said it was good the land was back in public hands.

Awaroa Beach being back in public hands was where it was and should be after it was purchased by the Crown and sold, he said.

"It's gone full circle but it doesn't underpin the critical issue, which is the dubious title to that land in lieu of the land issues in that part of Tasman Bay not being resolved properly right in the beginning."

Mr Morgan said the public had always used the beach despite who owned it and he was waiting with interest to see the conditions of the land transfer.

"Depending on how the land is transferred into public ownership and the legal arrangements around it, the Crown will have an interest separate to those who it's going to be transferred to or from and that leaves an opening for us to discuss their interest."

"So we've got ongoing individual negotiations and they can take 10 to 20 years but we have a significant time on our side to get matters put right."….

See full article HERE

Next steps for RNZ's Māori strategy

Jackson has conducted what is described as an audit of RNZ content, which he says shows just 0.1 percent of output is devoted to Māori issues.

There are two things to say about this.

First, the audit is not credible and in no way accurately measures or reflects RNZ's journalism and programming about Māori issues, language and culture.

Second, while the audit methodology is questionable, and some of the criticism arising from it ill-informed, the main thrust of Jackson's argument has merit.

He and others believe RNZ should do a much better job of reporting, analysing, explaining and celebrating topics that concern and are highly relevant to Māori.

I agree. RNZ has a specific obligation under its charter to "reflect New Zealand's cultural diversity, including Māori language and culture".

We do some good things in this arena but we also know we can improve.

We have been working on a new long-term strategy that represents an increased commitment to creating high-quality Māori content, supporting te reo Māori and fostering Māori journalism.

At the core of the plan is a belief that our credible Māori journalism and journalists must be prominent within our primetime news and current affairs shows and bulletins, not side-lined into a short Māori bulletin....

See full article HERE

The Legal Opportunity for Maori Leading NZ Into the Future

Historically it is accepted that the expansion of European settlers into the ‘new world’ of the old homes of Indigenous peoples, created consistent legal scenarios of arrogantly assumed European sovereignty and ownership of Indigenous lands.

This seminar, presented by NPM Co-Director and Otago Law Professor Jacinta Ruru, will focus on the innovative Indigenous transitional justice initiatives being developed in countries such as Aoteaora New Zealand, which are increasingly being used to manage the futures of national parks, land holdings and waterways - and which have all until now fallen under standard models of public ownership and administration….

See full article HERE

Te Mangai Pāho want iwi radio to increase listenership

Iwi radio stations have been told by Te Māngai Pāho (TMP) to increase their radio audience by 2% over the next year. The directive was made at a National Maori Radio Network meeting in Auckland today.

Te Māngai Pāho says around 300,000 people listen to 21 iwi radio stations around the country. But the agency told this meeting of iwi radio station managers today, they want more people listening.

Radio stations have also been told by Te Māngai Pāho to get digital. Funding for each radio station has increased from $384,000 to $500,000 a year…..

See full article HERE

Mercury Bay Area School

Te Reo Māori Years 7 & 8

All students in Y7 & Y8 will have the opportunity to study the basics of Te Reo Māori. This will allow students to study, converse and enjoy Te Reo Māori. Students will have the opportunity to discover and explore aspects around Tikanga Māori which may include learning about their own history and about the ways of life for Māori.

Te Reo Māori Year 9

In Y9 all students will be offered a basic introduction to Māori language and Tikanga which aims to continue their learning from Y7 and Y8 and to build language in a fun, practical and relevant environment. Students will have 3 hours of classes for one term….

See full article HERE

The government is caving into a huge shopping list from the Freshwater Iwi Leaders’ Group over the new Resource Management Act bill, says New Zealand First Leader and Northland Member of Parliament, Rt Hon Winston Peters.

“Minister for the Environment Nick Smith speaks with a forked tongue for while he assures farmers, businesses and homeowners that he has their back, both he and the prime minister are caving in,” Mr Peters said in a speech in Auckland to Agcarm, a national organisation representing plant and animal science industries.

“The shopping list from the freshwater iwi groups includes all Crown-owned river and lakebeds and the water column; title in freshwater consistent with Waitangi Tribunal rulings; a $1 billion fund in to an iwi-approved entity to address capacity and capability.

“National has already altered the RMA to make iwi consenting authorities.

“The Joint Management Agreement between Ngati Porou and Gisborne District Council means that within five years, Ngati Porou will become a full consenting authority.

“Just last week Ngāi Tahu got two guaranteed representatives on Environment Canterbury when it returns to partial democracy later this year….

See full article HERE

Winston Peters full speech HERE

Golden Bay Kindergarten bless new 'waka'

Golden Bay Kindergarten children and teachers were excited to return from their summer holidays to the newly built "Waka", or platform.

The 5.8 metre-long structure extends out from the covered veranda and into the outdoor play area.

As the heavy rain fell last Wednesday a blessing for the Waka was held by local iwi and led by John Ward Holmes of Manawhenua ki Mohua and Steve De Fue from the Onetahua Waka Ama Club.

Around 40 children, teachers, iwi members and parents gathered to hear a karakia which was performed in honour of the structure's significance to the Kindergarten.

The Waka is symbolic for the "vehicle that people arrive on," fitting in the Whakapapa, or ancestry of the "big kindergarten family", said Greatrex…..

See full article HERE

Oral taonga locked away

"They made it very clear to us that taonga should be available for tertiary studies, for making movies that have a non-profit value, it should be available for Maori radio and Maori television, so Radio New Zealand at the moment is taking a very mean attitude. It is an abslute breach, a betrayal of the treaty of Waitangi," he says. ….

See full article HERE

Ngai Tahu guaranteed two seats on Canterbury regional council

South island iwi Ngai Tahu will have guaranteed representation on the Canterbury regional council when it returns to partial democracy later this year.

The Environment Canterbury (Transitional Governance Arrangements) bill will introduce seven elected councillors to join six government-appointed commissioners.

In its submission to the committee, Ngai Tahu asked that three commissioners be appointed by the iwi, reflecting an equal partnership with the government.

Nevertheless, Ngai Tahu chief executive Arihia Bennett said the iwi was pleased with the new clause.

"Although we would have preferred three appointments to properly reflect the Treaty Partnership, we believe two appointments on the recommendation of the iwi is a good step in the right direction," she said…..

See full article HERE

Move towards greater use of te reo Maori in courts applauded

Community Law is commending recent moves by the Ministry Of Justice to support the use of te reo Maori in courtrooms.

Community Law Centre O Aotearoa Chief Executive Elizabeth Tennet says the use of te reo in court not only recognises its status as an official language in Aotearoa, but enables MÄori to engage better in the process of justice.

The chapter, ‘Te Reo MÄori’ covers the official status of te reo MÄori, your right to speak te reo in court, translations of court documents into te reo and other resources. "It’s just another step that will help ensure more New Zealanders understand their rights to speak te reo in Aotearoa."…

See full article HERE

Ministry of Education and Hika bring te reo Maori to early education

New Zealand early education services (ECE) are eligible to receive free access to the Hika Lite Maori Language Application, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Education.

The app has been designed to encourage children, their families and staff to use te reo Māori in early learning settings….

See full article HERE

Does the new housing bill support rangatiratanga?

When the government passed the Social Housing Reform Bill last week it opened the door to the sell-off of up to 8000 state houses.

The Maori Party supported the government's bill and hailed the move as rangatiratanga, a description opposition MPs say could not be further from sovereignty.

Green Party Housing spokesperson Marama Davidson is concerned the law would only benefit a small group of Maori, rather than those who rely on state housing.

"I'm absolutely sure this is not Tino Rangatiratanga (sovereignty). I've had responses that it's an insulting line and saying we're not falling for this privatisation that is the driver of this legislation."…

See full article HERE

Taharoa ironsands on sale block

Future earning for Maori landowners on the Waikato west coast could be in doubt with New Zealand Steel's Australian owner, Bluescope, putting its Taharoa ironsands mining operation on the sale block.

The company has a 70-year-lease with Taharoa C Incorporation to mine the sand, which is used at the Glenbrook steel mill and exported to mills in Asia….

See full article HERE

PHARMAC seeking new Māori members for consumer committee

PHARMAC is seeking nominations for two Māori members of its Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC).

The CAC is a statutory committee providing PHARMAC with input from a consumer or patient point of view. The committee can have up to nine members and is currently chaired by Shane Bradbrook, who is one of the Māori members coming to the end of his term.

The other members whose terms end this year are Barbara Greer (Hokitika) and Katerina Pihera (Rotorua).

Chief Executive Steffan Crausaz says PHARMAC is seeking applications from people with experience in representing the interests of Māori communities, with a particular interest in health.

Under its Terms of Reference, the committee is required to have at least two Māori and at least one Pacific peoples’ representative….

See full article HERE

The Government is still stalled on how it will allocate water rights.

This is despite the high-profile release over the weekend at the Blue Greens Conference in Tekapo of the consultative document, “Next Steps for Freshwater.”

The document says: “The Government is still finalising the package of allocation proposals that will fully address the range of interests of those wishing to access freshwater resources including iwi/hapu as further work is required to develop options that the Government and stakeholders can resource.”

A source familiar with the work of the Land Water Forum told POLITIK that the reason for the lack of any policy is that the Government has yet to resolve issues with Maori over water……

See full article HERE

Signage project tells cultural history

The first in a series of 14 signs telling the cultural history of the Manawatū River catchment was unveiled at the Oroua Bridge near Feilding on Friday 19 February.

The Ngāti Kauwhata sign tells the story of the Iwi’s settlement and connection to the river. It is part of a wider community project that’s been funded under Central Government’s Fresh Start for Freshwater Clean-up Fund through the Manawatū River Leaders’ Accord.

Horizons Regional Council freshwater coordinator Lucy Ferguson has been working with Iwi to develop the signs and said the remainder will be erected at sites of significance between Norsewood and Foxton over the next few weeks.

Iwi spokesperson for Ngāti Kauwhata, Dennis Emery, acknowledged the support of Horizons Regional Council for enabling the signage projects amongst hapū and Iwi involved.

He stated that “connecting with our local communities is very important and tantamount to forging enduring Iwi relationships with regional and local territorial councils, our inland waterways, the wider communities and surrounding environs”….

See full article HERE

College of Health Teaching Excellence Award winners announced

Congratulations to Dr Sally Lark from the School of Sport and Exercise, and Jenny Green, Professional Clinician from the School of Nursing, for winning College of Health Teaching Excellence Awards.

"The panel also commend Sally on her incorporation of Treaty of Waitangi principles and in ensuring that there are placements specifically aligned to Maori health."

Dr Lark will be awarded $3000 to further develop her teaching practice to build her portfolio further…..

See full article HERE

Freshwater debate on Iwi rights 'deserves informed discussion'

The Maori Party welcomes the Government’s Consultation Document on fresh water but it says the opening line on Iwi rights and interests is playing into the hands of the ignorant.

The chapter begins with the statement "No one owns the water".

"Most people don’t understand what Treaty rights to water are or why they exist. It’s an unhelpful starting point for public discussion.

"Iwi have discussed these issues in good faith with the Government for the last seven years. The public should be encouraged to understand the nature of those rights rather than resorting to slogans", says Mr Flavell.

One of the significant contributions the Maori Party and Iwi Leaders have made to the national discussion on fresh water over the years has been the inclusion of Te Mana o Te Wai (the health and well-being of water) as a guiding principle in the National Policy Statement.

Te Mana o Te Wai is about the health and wellbeing of the waterways, the general environment and the people.

"While we’re pleased to see the Consultation Document recognise Te Mana o Te Wai as a guiding principle for freshwater management, we would like to see that principle strengthened further in the RMA", says Mr Flavell….

See full article HERE

Next steps for freshwater

New measures to improve the management of New Zealand’s rivers, lakes, aquifers and wetlands have been proposed today at the Bluegreens Forum in Tekapo, with a consultation document released by Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy.

• Improved iwi involvement in council development of water plans and water conservation orders……

See full article HERE

A further link on the above HERE

Minister applauds 'bold Te Reo Maori vision' by Tainui

Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell has welcomed a new reo Maori strategy launched by Tainui today.

Tikanga Ora Reo Ora - outlines how the tribe will support iwi members to become fluent Maori language speakers. The strategy includes providing online learning tools and programmes to support whÄnau living outside of the tribal area.

"I look forward to seeing how Tainui progress with their Reo vision and how the Crown can support this and other community-led reo initiatives in the future," Mr Flavell says….

See full article HERE

A delegation is set to meet with representatives from the United Nations in the hope that they receive a unique gift as a symbol of Māoridom's endorsement of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

The Māori Tū delegation is flying out to New York in the hope that the United Nations will agree to receive a special Māori Bronze Storehouse.

"The idea of it is to create a conversation in around the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples through the gifting of this to show iwi Māori support for it," says Director of Te Puia NZ Māori Arts and Crafts, John Stone.

"And those minimun standards have been supported and ratified by the NZ Government and the next step for us is for iwi Maori to give our support for UNDRIP in order to start to consider how those articles can be considered back here as we legislate," says Stone….

See full article HERE

PHARMAC signs agreements with Auckland Whānau Ora Collective and Te ORA the Māori Doctors Association

Government pharmaceutical funding agency PHARMAC has today signed Memoranda of Agreement with Auckland-based Kōtahitanga Whānau Ora Collective and with Te ORA, the Māori Doctors Association.

The Memoranda of Agreement are the latest that health providers have signed with PHARMAC as part of PHARMAC implementing its Māori responsiveness strategy Te Whaioranga.

PHARMAC already has Memoranda of Agreement with four Whānau Ora collectives in Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, and Te Taitokerau, and with Ngā Kaitiaki o Te Puna Rongoā ō Āotearoa, the Māori Pharmacists Association.

Kōtahitanga Chair, Phil Tāne comments that the “open-ended Memorandum of Agreement means that both Kotahitanga and PHARMAC can work together long-term on improving the health outcomes of the people of South Auckland, especially in the area of medicines advice.”

Te ORA President Dr Rāwiri Jansen says the agreement demonstrates a commitment to a long-term partnership between PHARMAC and Te ORA, which would be of benefit to Māori doctors.

“Te ORA signing a relationship document with PHARMAC reflects our long-term relationship and signals possibilities beyond annual sponsorship, to potential summer studentships for Te Oranga medical students, and closer interaction between Māori doctors and PHARMAC staff and clinicians,” he says.

Ātene Andrews says PHARMAC’s intention is to be a long-term partner with whānau delivering health and medicines use programmes to Māori…..

See full article HERE

Minister concerned about RNZ Māori content

Concerns about the lack of Māori content by state radio broadcaster Radio New Zealand (RNZ) has seen Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell meeting with Broadcasting Minister Amy Adams. The urgent meeting comes after an audit conducted by Radio Wātea showed that over two weeks, only an hour and a half was Māori content.

Māori radio pioneer Haare Williams says RNZ's lack of Māori content is a continuation of the suppression of Māori culture, “It's just wrong. In plain terms, ‘We have been betrayed”, since the Treaty of Waitangi was signed, when the Queen's flag was erected at Point Britomart and Hobson, we have been disrespected and suppressed.”

Head of Content at RNZ Carol Hirschfeld declined an interview on camera.However, this statement was provided to us.

"The figures provided are not a legitimate. "

"It is unclear what the numbers quoted by Mr Jackson mean." "His calculation of 99 minutes seems to be a crude."...

See full article HERE

Excellent Maori Governance Transforms the World

Our vision is to improve Māori governance generally, whether it concerns Māori trusts and incorporations, asset holding companies, iwi organisations, post-settlement governance entities, marae and hapu committees; and Indigenous peoples' organisations globally….

See full article HERE

The Māori flag should fly alongside the New Zealand flag every day of the year (Opinion)

Seeing the Māori flag and the New Zealand flag flying together over the harbour bridge is an impressive reminder of who we are as a country and how we came to be. It’s a reminder of our ongoing partnership and our nationhood. It’s a glimpse of what Aotearoa New Zealand’s future could be if we agree to recognise each other as distinct but forever linked despite our sometimes turbulent relationship.

So whatever the outcome of the flag referendum (my preference was for Laser Kiwi), let the Auckland Harbour Bridge stand as a symbol of our nationhood by flying the Māori flag alongside the New Zealand flag every day of the year…

See full article HERE

Historic event on Parihaka tomorrow - hundreds expected

On Saturday morning an event of major significance to the hapü and wider population of Whangarei will take place at Parihaka, as the restoration of the correct name of the mountain is publicly affirmed.

It has also provided an opportunity to acknowledge that a historical mistake that for generations saw the mountain referred to as Parahaki, was put right by the New Zealand Geographic Board in 2005, following decades of campaigning by local hapü.

The next year Council asked the New Zealand Geographic Board to reinstate the correct name. On 4 September 2005 the Minister for Land Information restored the name to ‘Mount Parihaka’.

On Saturday at 10am representatives of the 13 main clusters of hapü in Whangarei will each untie a ribbon from the cloak covering this kohatu in a symbolic gesture of unveiling, and Mayor Sheryl Mai will untie the 14th ribbon on behalf of all of the people of the District…..

See full article HERE

Seats for Ngai Tahu

South Island iwi Ngai Tahu will have guaranteed representation on the Canterbury regional council when it returns to partial democracy later this year.

The Environment Canterbury (Transitional Governance Arrangements) bill will introduce seven elected councillors to join six government-appointed commissioners.

It allows for, but does not guarantee, a return to full democracy in 2019.

A Parliamentary select committee considering public feedback on the bill has reported its findings, leaving it largely untouched.

It upheld the bill’s most controversial aspects, including extending the reign of the commissioners and restricting the right to appeal decisions to the Environment Court. It paves the way for Parliament to pass the bill before elections later this year.
Christchurch Press article 18/2/16

Rotorua Lakes Council wants to return land to Ngāti Rangiwewehi

Rotorua Lake’s council have agreed to return a piece of land surrounding Hamurana Springs to Ngāti Rangiwewehi, but the final decision lies with the Conservation Minister.

Today in a show of good faith by the council with Ngāti Rangiwewehi the ownership of the land will be returned to them.....

See full article HERE

Former police station protected under District Plan

The facade and front parts of Palmerston North's former police station are to be protected.

The heritage status for the Church St building, excluding a collection of utility buildings and offices toward the rear of the property, will be written into the city's District Plan.

The extent of the heritage protection has been agreed after mediation ordered by the Environment Court.

Initially, Heritage New Zealand sought protection of the whole station, during the review of the Cultural and Natural Heritage section of the plan.

However, the commissioners who heard the plan change submissions were concerned about the deterioration of the building, which is owned and managed by the Office of Treaty Settlements.

The Office of Treaty Settlements said it had no money to spend on preserving the building, nor upgrading it to meet earthquake standards.

It was being held to be available for Treaty of Waitangi settlements…..

See full article HERE

Corrections losing Maori inmates

Justice reform group Just Speak is accusing the Department of Corrections of fudging the proportion of Maori in its prison muster.

Strategic advisor Kim Workman says in recent years the department has taken to using its own year-end prison census, coming up with a claim that only 50 percent of all prisoners are Maori.

But Statistics New Zealand says based on the number of Maori sentenced to prison during the course of a year, the figure is 55.7 percent.

Mr Workman says the Salvation Army’s State of the Nation report calculates there are about 1000 more Maori in prison than a decade ago, with the rate rising sharply during 2014/15 to reach an average of 693 prisoners per 100,000 population.

That’s seven times the rate of non-Maori……

See full article HERE

Residual racism in Maori news drought

A veteran Maori broadcaster says Radio New Zealand is falling down on the job of reflecting all of New Zealand - including Maori.

An audit of by Maori radio umbrella group Te Whakaruruhau found that since dropping its regular Manu Korihi bulletins, Maori content has dropped to just 0.1 percent of the total news.

Derek Fox says historicallyResidual racism in Maori news drought….

See full article HERE

Maori Party supporting state house sell off

The Maori Party is backing legislation allowing the sale of state housing stock because it says it's what iwi want.

The Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill passed last night allows the Minister of Social Housing and the Minister responsible for Housing NZ the power to sell or transfer state housing without consulting with Housing New Zealand….

See full article HERE

Awaroa Inlet better in Maori ownership

The chair of the incorporation which administers large Maori landholdings in Nelson and Marlborough, says a beach on the edge of the Abel Tasman National Park would be better in Maori hands than given to the crown…..

See full article HERE

Tamariki Māori use culture to cope with Earthquakes

A Christchurch counsellor says tamariki Māori are using their own culture to cope with the effects of the 2011 earthquake, and more recently the 5.7 earthquake that hit the city on Sunday.

Sarah Maindonald works as a part-time counsellor at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Whānau Tahi in the Spreydon suburb of Christchurch.

A study by Canterbury University showed 60% of 320 children, aged from five to seven, who have been tracked since the start of 2013 are showing signs of post-traumatic stress disorder.

According to Maindonald, whilst each case is different, non-Māori could adopt Māori concepts to better cope with the stress of earthquakes….

See full article HERE

Hand-back of land on agenda

A recommendation to hand ownership of land surrounding Hamurana Springs back to local iwi and the tabling of a petition will be openly discussed at a council committee meeting tomorrow.

According to an agenda report, the title to the Hamurana Springs Recreation Reserve - approximately 47ha - was transferred to Ngati Rangiwewehi as part of its Treaty settlement with the Crown, but this did not cover a small portion - 0.2ha - of land under a water supply easement.

The council plans to hand back the rest of the reserve, and says that will not affect the water supply.

It has a resource consent to take from the spring until 2026…..

See full article HERE

Ministry helps staff to speak te reo Māori in all District Courts

The Ministry of Justice is introducing new resources to support the use of te reo Māori in court. All court sessions with Justices of the Peace and Community Magistrates have adopted the District Court approach, which is to open and close in te reo Māori.

The expanded te reo announcements for Justices of the Peace and Community magistrates follow the earlier introduction of te reo Māori announcements for Family Court, Youth Court, Māori Land Court, Waitangi Tribunal, Rangatahi Youth Court and Matariki Court….

See full article HERE

Dudley wants more Māori in Clinical Psychology

Dr Makarena Dudley wants more Māori students training to become clinical psychologists.

Dr Makarena Dudley is a specialist in the field of clinical psychology and one of her goals is to incorporate Tikanga Māori into her programme…

See full article HERE

Theft results in blocked access to northern end of Lake Tutira

Access to the northern end of Lake Tutira has been blocked until further notice by trustees and families of the B7 and B19 land blocks. These are lands that have only recently been returned to the trust after a 50-year lease expired last year.

They are exercising their mana whenua right and putting up a gate to shut out any public access through their land.

One of the trustess, Josephine Brown told Te Kāea, “It's come to this because really of people trespassing on to private property now and removing our property.”

16.5 hectares of land, including part of Lake Tutira, has just been returned to them.

But it seems not everyone is happy about it after the trust's signage was stolen….

See full article HERE

Paul Moon to release new research on Māori language

New Zealand historian, Professor Paul Moon says the government needs to give more money for the Māori Language, to ensure it doesn't disappear like the moa.

The Māori Language commission has received a total of $11.2 million in funding from the Government for the current financial year for language acquisition, language promotion and research.

Mr Moon says there’s not nearly enough funding for the initiatives that exist. There's a lot of initiatives that work, but they don't work well enough…..

See full article HERE

Inquiry Needed on Radio NZ

The Chairman of the Maori Radio Network Te Whakaruruhau, Willie Jackson, called for an inquiry into the embarrassing level of Maori content on Radio NZ on the TVNZ news show Te Karere today.

He says “Maori radio must be accountable for everything we do, it’s time now for National Radio to to be accountable and give us an answer over why they treat Maori so disrespectfully. National Radio receive $35 million dollars a year and the Maori voice is not getting out there.”

Mainstream media continue to ignore this story. Carol Hirschfeld and the RNZ Chairman Richard Griffin need to front up and find a solution so that the Maori voice can be heard….

See full article HERE

Waitangi protest speaking to power

An Otago University political scientist and blogger says this year’s chaos at Waitangi is a sign race relations are gearing up at a political level.

Bryce Edwards says the current arrangements at Waitangi are being questioned, but people need to stop trying to think of it as a national day rather than a time when the Treaty of Waitangi is considered…

See full article HERE

Treaty veteran takes to the floor

At just 37 years of age Huhana Seve has dedicated nearly half her life to researching family treaty claims.

Tomorrow she'll take the floor to deliver yet another - a family claim for Whangaruru.

Stage One of the claim was heard in 2013 with a landmark finding delivered by the Waitangi Tribunal which found Northland chiefs who signed the Treaty did NOT cede sovereignty to the Crown.

Treaty Minister Chris Finlayson responded at the time by telling Checkpoint's Mary Wilson.

"Well I don't think it changes a thing really, every New Zealanders goes to bed knowing her majesty reigns over us and government rules."

The hearings which continue this week will focus on sovereignty, governance and political engagement….

See full article HERE

80% of Waikato-Tainui uri to be fluent in Te Reo by 2050

Rāhui Papa, chairman of Waikato-Tainui tribal executive Te Arataura, believes eighty percent of iwi members will be fluent in Te Reo Māori by 2050.

He says, “Strengthening our tribal reo and tikanga to a high level of fluency is a key area of focus for the tribe.”

Not only will its regular use ensure our tribal reo is preserved for future generations, but our people will develop a stronger sense of self, tribal pride and a deeper understanding of who they are,” Papa says….

See full article HERE

Rangitikei District Council to support inventory of district's heritage

The Rangitikei District Council is planning to help set up an inventory of physical and cultural heritage.

Executive officer Carol Downs said the council's draft heritage plan would be an enabling document that signalled the council's support for documenting the area's heritage.

The plan sets out the creation of two heritage inventory lists, one for general heritage and one for Maori heritage.

Downs said the lists would be driven by what community organisations, like the Rangitikei Heritage Group, and iwi and hapu groups wanted to include.

Te Roopu Ahi Kaa Komiti member Chris Stanton said each iwi had different ideas about how to balance privacy and preservation for spiritually or culturally important heritage.

"It's always a conundrum, whether it's dealing with wahi tapu sites or preserving traditions and knowledge," he said.

Even when the structures were gone, Maori heritage could be there and you might not realise it, Stanton said.

"It could be an old pa site or a place of importance for an iwi, it's not always very visually spectacular."..

See full article HERE

Significant gift on the agenda for Iwi delegation’s UN visit

Sixty-eight iwi have maintained their staunch support for the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (the Declaration) at Waitangi on 5 February 2016, with an iwi delegation set to visit the United Nations in New York later this week.

Paramount chief of Ngāti Tūwharetoa and Iwi Leaders Group Chairman for Māori Tū, Sir Tumu te Heuheu says the connection of the two whatarangi is a deliberate measure to generate dialogue and consideration between the articles of the Declaration and the rights of iwi Māori across all political processes and legislative considerations in Aotearoa New Zealand…..

See full article HERE

National Radio Failing to Deliver for Māori

New Zealand First is supporting calls for an inquiry into the level of dedicated Māori content being broadcast on state-funded radio.

A 12-week audit of National Radio between November 2015 and January 2016 undertaken by Radio Waatea has revealed only 0.1 per cent of broadcasting time was spent delivering Maori specific content.

“Our fear that Māori would lose a voice on National Radio following the cancellation of Radio New Zealand’s dedicated Māori news programme Te Manu Korihi in October last year has been realised,” says New Zealand First Māori Affairs Spokesperson Pita Paraone.

“Without exposure on the national broadcaster Māori issues are being side-lined in New Zealand broadcasting.

“National Radio receives $35 million annually in state funding and yet it is failing to be a platform for the voice of all New Zealanders…..

See full article HERE

Work needed to increase Maori economic development

See full article HERE

Auckland Mayor Len Brown says there's still a lot of work needed to increase Maori economic development in the supercity.

The council yesterday held a joint meeting with the Independent Maori Statutory Board to consider the latest board audit of council performance towards Maori outcomes.

Len Brown says the percentage of Maori in the council workforce still doesn't match their share of the city's population…..

See full article HERE

Awaroa Beach should be returned to Māori, says iwi
Awaroa Beach in the Abel Tasman National Park should be returned to Māori and the government should make that happen, iwi leaders say.

A public campaign has raised more than $2 million for the land.

The area surrounding and including the present Abel Tasman National Park was settled by Ngāti Rārua, Ngāti Tama and Te Ati Awa.

"Most of that was cultivated land, there is good records of it, and burial grounds in those areas which are well known to DoC [Department of Conservation] and certainly well known to our communities."

If the campaign's tender is accepted tomorrow, Awaroa Beach will be owned by all New Zealanders.

But that doesn't sit well with a trustee of Ngāti Tama Manawhenua ki Te Tau Ihu Trust, Fred Te Miha.

"Māori families owned 50 acre blocks and the land was taken under the National Parks Act to form the National Park."

He said his research was yet to find a whānau who had been compensated for it.

"The government should buy it off the private owners and hand it back to the whānau, the families that lost that land originally through confiscation."….

See full article HERE

Govt urged to stump up for island
Former Maori Affairs Minister Dover Samuels is calling on the Government to buy a controversial Far North island before it is sold to another private owner.

Mr Samuels urged the Government to buy the island and vest it as a reserve until Ngati Kura's Treaty claims were considered. ....

See full article HERE

A new agency set up to fund Whanau Ora programmes for Pacific people is under fire over a grant to a school whose board is chaired by the husband of the funding agency's chief executive.

The agency, Pasifika Futures, has given $1.39 million to Otahuhu College for a science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) academy.

Pasifika Futures chief executive Debbie Sorensen said she did not take part in the decision because it was "well known" that her husband, Peter Cann, chaired the college board.

But NZ First MP and leader Winston Peters said the decision was "seriously questionable" in the light of other donations.

The agency has funded three other programmes with links to its directors. Its chairman, Dr Kiki Maoate, was a founder of Pacific Trust Canterbury, which received core funding; a director, Sandra Alofivae, is a trustee of Fonua Ola, which also received core funding; and another director, Dr Francis Agnew, is a trustee of Vaka Tautua, which was funded for a financial literacy project.

"It's the frequency of that happening which is a concern," Peters said.

He also questioned whether a school academy could be classified as "Whanau Ora", which is defined by Te Puni Kokiri as "an approach to achieving better outcomes for whanau and families in need by empowering whanau as a whole rather than focusing separately on individuals and their problems".

"It's far too tenuous to be in any way compliant with the so-called Whanau Ora," Peters said.

He said the whole Whanau Ora policy, costing $55 million this year, "simply doesn't work" and should be scrapped. Auditor-General Lyn Provost reported last year that it was "not easy to describe what it is or what it has achieved"…..

See full article HERE

Maori Pharmicist Association
“To lead Māori responsiveness in the Pharmacy Sector in the development and delivery of services aimed to increase medicines optimisation for Māori and ultimately improve Māori Health outcomes.”

MPA continue to encourage and support young Maori who have an interest in science and health to follow a pathway into pharmacy and becoming qualified as pharmacists….

See full article HERE

Documents released ahead of AGM for financially strapped Taranaki iwi
With appointments to the Ngati Tama board due to be finalised next month, members have been able to see the state of its finances for the first time in years.

The iwi's annual general meeting, the first of its kind in a decade, is set to take place at Pukearuhe Marae on February 27 and a range of documents, including financial records dating back to 2007, have been uploaded on-line.

In 2014, the iwi only made $16,259 and had fixed assets worth $2,779. This includes a Mercedes Benz car, which was bought in 2004 for $100,000

The 2015 financial records have yet to be made available but when contacted by Fairfax Media about how much money had been made so far, White was not able to say….

See full article HERE

From the NZCPR archives – By Tony Sayers
The Tail Wagging the Dog
For many years as a practising teacher in New Zealand, I watched the gradual but tangible creep of Maori influence upon the NZ education system. ‘And what is wrong with that?’ the Maori educationists and culturally liberated activists, may cry.

‘Nothing at all’, I would reply, ‘so long as the same opportunity is offered to every other ethnic group in the country’. We know that becomes cumbersome and impractical.

Before I get branded as a redneck, (a favourite Maori term for anyone who does not subscribe to their way of thinking), or as anti-Maori; let me openly state that my political position is in favour of equality for all citizens of New Zealand, (sorry, ‘Aotearoa-New Zealand), regardless of their ethnicity. That said, let me get to the nub of the issue.

I am always in favour of implementing innovations that bring about improvement, but I honestly cannot say that the changes in education, pushed by Maori protagonists, have had a beneficial affect across the board, there have been more negatives than positives come out of it.

I have seen the newspaper articles about the ‘dumbing down’ of subject and exam content, and lowering of assessment levels so that Maori are not disadvantaged by the ‘Pakeha” system. I have heard Pita Sharples call for entry levels to University to be lowered exclusively for Maori students. He has suggested that students sitting NCEA exams in the Maori language, receive a percentage increment for their marks. Surely these are admissions of lower levels of attainment by Maori.

I recall the frustration of some of my Maori-teacher colleagues, regarding the attitudes of their Maori students. These teachers considered that the students did not make an effort, because they expected to get special considerations in the system, simply because they were Maori’. There have been enough manifestations of such practices to nurture such views.

I recall when I was teaching at Manutuke School, a representative from Maori Affairs came to the school to inform the Maori students about all the assistance that they could anticipate from the government. I was present, since my students were part of his target group. My thoughts at the time were, that I should marry a Maori woman, so that my children would be eligible for the same hand-outs. All of these inequalities hinged upon who your parents are. Individuals have no choice over who their parents are. Birth is a lottery and that is what makes it so unfair. Two babies born on the same day, in the same town, in the same country, have different rights and privileges simply because of their race. Something needs to change……
Continue reading Tony's experiences HERE
February 1, 2015

Iwi group pushes government to recognise Maori rights to water
The Fresh Water Iwi Leaders Group is pushing the Government to better recognise Maori rights to water.

At Waitangi last week iwi leaders expressed their frustration at progress on the development of new policies through bodies like the Land and Water Forum.

Advisor Willie Te Aho says the group met today in Wellington with officials from the Environment and Conservation ministries to prepare for the release this month of a major discussion document on water policy.

He says every hapu and iwi have rights to water in their rohe, and they should also have a say in the way discharges affect water quality.

The rights are both cultural and economic.

"To some extent Maori have been denied that opportunity from the 1991 Resource Management Act which is a first in, first served, and a lot of our groups have settled in the last decade or two decades, and we have missed out on the opportunity to access water for our economic purposes, so we need to restore that right," he says.

Mr Te Aho says the iwi leaders are holding the Government to the promise it made to the Surpreme Court that it would address the interests of hapu and iwi in fresh water….

See full article HERE

Councillor protests at 'tokenism'
A Whangarei district councillor has gone on strike from a committee in protest over the appointment of a Maori adviser, saying he has no interest in participating in meetings with "race-based appointments".

Councillor Stuart Bell said while he was pro-Maori engagement, he saw the appointment of the adviser to the planning committee, otherwise made up of elected councillors, as "tokenism" and said it was actually offensive to Maori.

"I boycotted [the] meeting, and may boycott more in the future, because in my opinion there is currently very little or no benefit in having race-based appointments of non-elected members on council committees." …..

See full article HERE

TDC hits pause on possible sale of Mapua causeway

Meredith and Fountain did outline some concerns about the potential sale including the "lack of enforceable safeguards for [public] access", the significance of the causeway as a dyke and the lack of participation by iwi in developing and advancing the proposal to sell.

"Listen to the people," Meredith said. "Take heed of rising anger at government bodies that don't engage with iwi."….

See full article HERE

Rangitaane connects with Manawatu schools to improve Maori education

A partnership between Manawatu schools and iwi is being formed in the hope of improving Maori student achievement.

Next Wednesday the school leaders will gather at the Rangitane Marae in Palmerston North to sign the Maori Education Framework agreement.

The idea behind the agreement is for schools to have a closer working relationship with the iwi.

Eight schools have signed on – two intermediates and six primary schools.

The year-long programme will see iwi members help uncover what schools need to work on to enable the best services to be delivered to pupils….

See full article HERE

DoC staff learn Waikato River history first hand
For the first time, Department of Conservation (DoC) staff are learning first hand, the historical significance of the Waikato River through a rowing expedition by the tribe. Waikato-Tainui want their relationship with the government department to be strengthened.

Waikato Raupatu River Trust spokesperson, Moko Tauariki says, "They get to feel the spirit and experience the river. They also get to see its sacred sites from on the river."..

See full article HERE

Iwi, high school aim for farming innovation
Five iwi who own the largest single dairy farming unit in Hauraki have joined with the local high school in a new education farming initiative.

Pouarua Farm is a 2200ha dairying operation running 5000 cows spread over eight farm units.

Project Papatuanuku aims to teach students about farming on peat land and associated science and technology, as well as research into increasing productivity….

See full article HERE

Royal Oak Intermediate use te reo Maori to combat rising costs of education

One school is battling the rising cost of education and the Maori language is their weapon.

Royal Oak Intermediate is running a school-wide 'Te Reo-athon' to raise money in support of some of their most vulnerable families.

Aside from helping fund education, Webber hopes the initiative goes some way to promoting the use of te reo in schools.

"The Maori language isn't getting justice in schools," he says.

Even the teachers are not exempt at Royal Oak Intermediate….

See full article HERE

Maori Constitutional Report Released 2016

A report on constitutional transformation, promoted by the Iwi Chairs’ Forum and supported by other organisations, was released at Waitangi on Friday.

The report is the result of a four-year discussion process facilitated by a working group led by Professor Margaret Mutu and lawyer Moana Jackson. Members, selected by iwi or chosen for their expertise, last year completed the last of 252 engagement hui around the country, while a rangatahi group conducted a parallel engagement strategy of 70 regional wananga.

The terms of reference for the group were originally set at a national hui to consider a different constitution based on Te Tiriti o Waitangi and He Whakaputanga, the 1835 Declaration of Independence. Professor Mutu noted that they did not ask how the Treaty might fit into the current Westminster system, but how a constitution might in fact be based upon it.

“That might seem novel to some, but it has always been the base of Maori understandings about the Treaty relationship,” she said.

Mr Jackson said he was pleased with the response from the hundreds of Maori who participated in the process.

“Although many Maori may not use words like ‘constitution,’ they do know about the constant denial of the Maori right to make Maori decisions, which is really all that a constitution is about. It is in fact the key to the Treaty relationship that has not yet been achieved,” he said.

The report outlines a number of key constitutional values, and suggests some indicative constitutional models, Professor Mutu saying it sets 2040 as an appropriate date to work towards for achieving a proper Tiriti-based constitution that was inclusive of everyone in New Zealand.

Mr Jackson was hopeful that the report would encourage an on-going, broader dialogue, as constitutional transformation was the next step in “settling the Treaty.”

“It is not some pious hope, but in fact a legitimate Treaty expectation,” he said.

The Northland Age 9 Feb 2016
The Report can be read HERE

District court takers speak more te reo Māori
District court takers will open and close court in te reo Māori with more consistency and confidence, following training with a ‘buddy’ system, audio pronunciation files and a new flip card resource. All district courts started using the new te reo Māori announcements on 1 February.

“It is very important that our Courts are not only seen to uphold commitments under the Treaty of Waitangi, but that they are responsive to the vibrant communities they serve. We are very proud to be supporting our people and working to support the judiciary to honour the most precious of taonga – te reo,” says Karl Cummins, Deputy Secretary, District Courts.

The te reo announcements have been supported by Chief Judge Jan-Marie Doogue, with guidance from Judge Taumanu, following the introduction of te reo Māori announcements in the higher courts. Chief District Court Judge Jan-Marie Doogue says it is an exciting next step in what has been a historic change in the District Court process. “The new resource is a clever and compact aid for court staff to ensure te reo Māori is used appropriately and consistently in the court setting,” says Judge Doogue.

The flip cards are designed to be used while taking court for judges, Justices of the Peace and community magistrates, with an easy to read English translations underneath te reo Māori phrasing. Te reo Māori court announcements – Patric Hape and team…..

See full article HERE

Call for more funds for Te Puni Kōkiri

Government departments are more likely to embellish how well they are serving Māori if no one is keeping tabs on them, Māori MPs warn.

Te Puni Kōkiri (the Ministry of Māori Development) told the Māori Affairs Select Committee it did not have the resources to audit all departments on their achievements for Māori.

Its chief executive, Michelle Hippolite, said years of restructuring at the ministry meant it could no longer do one of its key jobs: keeping an eye on the entire public sector's outcomes for Māori…

See full article HERE

Maori Law Solicitors - Junior and Senior

The Kaupapa inquiry programme introduced by the Tribunal earlier this year means that Maori will now have a voice and an opportunity to be heard on a broad range of historical and contemporary claims on nationally significant issues such as health, housing, education, the treatment of Maori military veterans and the justice system.

It also has work flowing from the five-year Historical Claims programme recently released by the Waitangi Tribunal, which deals with several hundred claims not otherwise being dealt with under the District Inquiries.

The recent Tribunal developments have ushered in a new phase in the Treaty Claims area and this means a strong and steady flow of work for this firm. The future is looking very bright……

See full advert HERE

Ratings Changes to Encourage Māori Land Development

Cabinet has agreed to provide local Councils with more workable and equitable tools to deal with issues around the rating of unused and unoccupied Māori land.

Local councils already have the ability to remit rates on general and Māori land. However this proposed change clarifies the law around the rating of unoccupied and unused Māori land.

The changes will provide councils the ability to remove rates arrears on unoccupied and unused Māori land where there is:

• a demonstrable commitment to use or occupy land;

• there is little prospect of the land ever being used or occupied.

Other changes include the removal of a two hectare non-rating limit for marae and urupā (burial grounds), and that Māori land subject to Ngā Whenua Rahui covenants will not be rated. This brings the rates for Māori land use of this nature in line with similar uses of general land including the non-rating of churches, cemeteries and QEII covenanted land.

A new approach to the valuation of Māori land for rating purposes will also be developed…..

See full article HERE

Māori war veteran gets pension back

Mr Clarke's veterans pension and disability allowance were suspended in November, after he was issued with an arrest warrant.

The kaumatua was part of an occupation of Kaitaia Airport last September and was arrested for trespassing.

The warrant was dropped this week and Work and Income New Zealand said Mr Clarke's payments could resume.

A charitable account was set up last month to help support Mr Clarke, but the veteran has asked for donations to end.

Mr Clarke's agent was working on the paperwork and back pay from WINZ….

See full article HERE

New Plymouth councillor Howie Tamati loses challenge for Maori street names
New Plymouth's sole Maori councillor has lost his motion to have the streets of a subdivision named after titles of indigenous cultural significance.

In November, the New Plymouth District Council monitoring committee voted to name the two roads created as part of developer Richard Dreaver's new Waitara subdivision on Armstrong Ave, Dreaver Drive and Masters Lane.

A council report at the time of the decision recommended the streets be named Kaipeke Drive and Ngati Kura Road, in honour of the a pa site and local hapu. However the committee settled on Dreaver Drive and Masters Lane, in recognition of Dreaver's family members who died in World War I.

However at Tuesday's committee meeting Councillor Howie Tamati moved a motion to alter the road naming resolution and revert back to the Maori street names.

The committee voted 7 to 3 against Tamati's motion. Mayor Andrew Judd, Tamati and councillor Keith Allum voted in support of the motion…..

See full article HERE

Mole News is published on a regular basis to expose the on-going build up of race-based privilege in New Zealand. The Mole welcomes tips - please send to mole@nzcpr.com. Older news items can be found HERE and HERE and HERE.

10 February 2016

Proposal for rates arrears to be cut on unused Māori land
Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell is calling for councils to exempt Māori land from rates arrears.

In the draft Māori land reform bill, Te Ture Whenua Māori, the minister wants the local council to write off rates if owners come up with a plan for future use.

Mr Flavell also says rates shouldn't be imposed if there's little prospect of the land ever being used.

It’s estimated that 36% of Māori land is unused and the majority of this land is in rural areas in the Far North, central North Island and East Coast regions.

Councils will have the discretion to write off unused and unoccupied land….

See full article HERE

Government disregard for Waitangi Tribunal

The disregard shown to the Waitangi Tribunal by the National-led Government and their support party the Maori Party is unacceptable and a warning sign of their desire to push through unpopular changes to laws governing Māori land, says Ikaroa-Rawhiti MP Meka Whaitiri.

“To have Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson dismiss findings as ‘bizarre’ is totally disingenuous and disrespectful. What’s bizarre is Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell stubbornly pushing through this Bill before the Waitangi Tribunal has even completed its report….

See full article HERE

Northern Maori leaders call for new location for Waitangi Day commemorations

Northern Maori leaders are calling for the Prime Minister and Government to attend Waitangi events at a new location in future years.

Waitangi National Trust chairman Pita Paraone, who organised the Waitangi Festival, questioned whether Ti Tii Marae was still the most suitable place to welcome the Crown.

Mr Paraone, who is a New Zealand First MP, said the powhiri could be moved to the Treaty grounds at Waitangi or neighbouring marae, as had been done in the past.

"If we're going to provide uncertainty every year perhaps that ought to be a consideration," he said.

Former Labour MP Shane Jones, who is based in Northland, said Te Tii Marae had become a "fool's paradise" and the welcome ceremony for the Government was being "held hostage" by its trustees…..

See full article HERE

Waitangi Tribunal's findings 'bizarre' - minister
The Waitangi Tribunal's draft findings on proposed changes to laws governing Māori land have been dismissed as "bizarre" by Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson.

The Tribunal said it was forced to rush out its findings on claims linked to proposed changes to the Te Ture Whenua Māori Act.

It said that was due to the Crown deciding to embark on a series of information hui only weeks before the tribunal's full report was to be released.

It said more consultation was needed before it released the findings, but Mr Finlayson has rejected that.

"It seems to be riddled with factual errors. It says various people oppose the reform when in fact they don't…..

See full article HERE

Mondayisation flaunted by large employer of Maori - union

One of the first companies to flaunt the first ever Mondayising of Waitangi day law is a large employer of Maori in the North Island, says the NZ Meat Workers Union.

Under law changes agreed by Parliament in 2013, where Waitangi Day falls on a Saturday, as it has this year, the holiday is observed on a Monday for those who don’t normally work weekends.

"These actions by AFFCO Talley’s have let down other employers who have worked hard to comply and left a sour note for Maori workers on this important holiday" Ms Fenton says…..

See full article HERE

Kindergarten children learn about treaty through tuatara
In the second article of the treaty, Maori were guaranteed they would retain the possession and enjoyment of their treasure under the British.

"Because tuatara are unique to Aotearoa/New Zealand, protection is important," McPherson said.

Charlee Hopkinson-Palmer, 4, said tuatara needed protection from the rats and went on to explain how they came on the tall ships to New Zealand….

See full article HERE

Unique powhiri for Geraldine High School

Two Maori students took lead roles in the Geraldine High School powhiri (welcome), for the first time, at the start of the school year last Tuesday.

In Maori culture, the powhiri is used to determine if visitors are friends or enemies…

See full article HERE

College makes new kids feel at home

New Year 9 students at Kuranui College received a warm welcome from teachers and their Year 13 counterparts on their first day at the South Wairarapa school.

More than 100 students gathered outside the college auditorium earlier this week and were called in by Te Reo teacher Suzanne Murphy.

They were followed by their parents, members of their whanau and their former primary school principals, according to school spokeswoman Catherine Rossiter-Stead.

The new students were represented by Francis McNally-Te Maari, who gave a rousing speech in Te Reo Maori on the importance of the Kuranui College motto 'tatau tatau' and its meaning of "strength created through working together"…..

See full article HERE

Sharing the future

(excerpts)

PROFESSOR JANINE HAYWARD

"The Crown's apologies for what happened are hugely important in terms of nation-building ... The economic redress has really helped to change the economic circumstances for a lot of iwi and hapu.

"What people are much less aware of, is that once that's finished there are still a lot of conversations that the nation needs to have which are still important for the Treaty ... Because the economic issues by and large will have been addressed, but there's an awful lot of political issues still to talk about.''

It is as though there are two parallel histories of New Zealand, Prof Hayward says.

*****************************

PROF JACINTA RURU

Ownership begs the question; whose definition of the word is being applied?

"Maori do not use the English understanding of ownership ... The English concept is usually associated with exclusion, being able to do whatever you like with that land; in other words, full alienation right to the land. Those ideas are derived from common law.''

But the definition, according to Maori custom and law, is different.

"It doesn't necessarily mean exclusiveness. It doesn't necessarily mean full rights to dispose of it in any way that one sees fit."

And here comes the surprising rub: "We've already had a Supreme Court decision, in 2012, recognising that tikanga Maori, or Maori law, is part of our common law''.

"I think this is a real future for New Zealand; to consider our New Zealand law and the place of Maori law within it.

"It would become a New Zealand way of understanding our legal system and history and future.''

******************

EDWARD ELLISON

The Otakou Runanga continues to seek a mataitai, a customary fishing reserve, in Otago Harbour.

The maitaitai, which it applied for in 2008, would allow the runanga to manage all non-commercial fishing in the harbour.

"We are waiting for the minister to decide on that. We've been told, yes the decision is close at hand, but there's been no clear indication of when.'' ….

See full article HERE

From the NZCPR archives by Dr Muriel Newman
Grievance day
Waitangi Day has become national Maori Grievance Day. The Maori sovereignty flag, symbolising the desire of radical Maori to take over ownership and control of New Zealand, now flies from official buildings – with the blessing of the Prime Minister. What was once a family day – and a day of celebration for our unique identity and place in the world – has become a day of protest and division. Threats and intimidation are now the name of the game. The ugliness of the modern Waitangi Day is a reminder of how distant the vision of unity and togetherness that most New Zealanders aspire to has become.
This deepening divide is not driven by ordinary Kiwis. It’s driven by the iwi elite and the Maori Party MPs who represent them, along with Hone Harawira and Treaty activists who hold influential positions within academia and the public service.

Over the years this drive for Maori sovereignty has led to a proliferation of race-based preferences in our laws and throughout our public institutions. Mainstream New Zealanders remain opposed to these developments and it is reputedly a factor in the record number of Kiwis who are emigrating to Australia. Many Maori leave the country as the only way to escape the whanau: A study carried out in 2008 by Te Puni Kokiri found that of the one in six Maori who were living in Australia at the time, many had moved there to escape tribalism: they expressed an overwhelming sense of relief on being “free of Maori culture”, of being able to “get away from the rigid beliefs of our elders”, of getting “away from tikanga Maori and whanau dynamics or pressures associated with being whanau”; and “you know the story marae, whanau hui, whanau politics, continuously fighting each other but still whanau in the end. It feels like we are able to live our lives without being answerable or having to think is this good for the rest of the whanau”.1

This year the Waitangi Day performance had an added dimension – Waitangi is now Mana Party territory. It is high ground for Hone Harawira and a centre stage platform from which to incite hostility. Meanwhile the Maori Party – no longer top dog at Waitangi – is searching to create a new perception of its place in the Maori world. It will be keen to shake off the label that it is nothing more than a National Party poodle….
Continue reading HERE
February 6, 2012

Crown lacks Maori support for law change - Tribunal

The Crown does not yet have enough support from Maori to make changes to laws governing Maori land, the Waitangi Tribunal says.

The Tribunal has rushed the release of its draft findings on claims concerning proposed reforms to the Te Ture Whenua Māori Act of 1993.

The Tribunal found the Crown will breach Treaty principles if it does not ensure properly informed and broad-based support for the bill to proceed.

It said Maori interest in land was central to the Treaty partnership and the Crown could not simply follow whatever policy it chose…..

See full article HERE

Treaty of Waitangi to be translated into 30 languages

The New Zealand Society of Translators and Interpreters has announced the launch of the Treaty Times Thirty project. Over 90 translators will work together to translate the English and Māori versions of the Treaty of Waitangi into 30 languages. …..

See full article HERE

Te reo Maori protection 'needed more than ever'

"Honouring the Treaty of Waitangi includes doing more to get te reo Maori out of the danger zone," says Maori Language Commission chief executive Ngahiwi Apanui.

"Te reo Maori is in a perilous state and more must be done to ensure it has a future."

"Our country’s founding document was written in both Maori and English - the language had a place at the table of power in 1840 and it must be given similar consideration to support current efforts to revive te reo Maori."

"As the country celebrates the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, I sincerely hope that we all reflect on the importance of te reo Maori to this nation, its place in our schools, on our sports fields, in broadcasting, in Parliament, in business and in all aspects of our lives.

One in five Maori people (or 21% of 598,605) speak the language…..

See full article HERE

Mana and money - the Maori business evolution

The assets of the top 10 Maori businesses are closing in on $5 billion as they develop from property and primary industries-related Treaty settlements into wider interests including, food and tourism, but one expert says the important issue is how much money they are generating to help the needs of the people. ….

See full article HERE

GISBORNE Mayor Meng Foon will make an address at this year’s Waitangi celebrations when he leads the New Zealand Chinese Association (NZCA) delegation today and tomorrow.

It is the first time the association has attended the Waitangi Day celebrations at Waitangi since the arrival of Chinese people to New Zealand shores over 150 years ago.

“It’s timely because we have a close relationship with some of the iwi in the far North, particularly Te Rarawa and Te Roroa,” NZCA president Meng Foon said.

“These iwi were kind enough to bury our ancestors in their grave sites following the sinking of the SS Ventnor in 1902. We appreciate very much their kindness and care for our people.”

“This is a genuine privilege and honour for us all to represent Chinese in New Zealand. The NZCA values the Treaty of Waitangi as it has allowed Chinese people to settle in New Zealand, the place which we call home.”….

See full article HERE

Improved Maori education shows gap is closing

On the eve of Waitangi Day, Hekia Parata runs a rule over Maori education.

OPINION: In any given year about 13,000 Maori turn 18. In 2008, the year this Government came into office, 6003 Maori 18 year olds had the minimum qualification necessary for further education or training.

In other words, less than half of all Maori teenagers were leaving our education system with NCEA Level 2 or an equivalent qualification. Six years later 8947 of the Maori who turned 18 had the same qualification. That means almost 3000 more young Maori embarked on adulthood with the tools they needed to succeed…..

See full article HERE

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce today announced the 58 initiatives proposed at a meeting of Northland business and political leaders at Marsden Estate winery.

Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell said one of the most important things for Northland was for Ngapuhi to resolve its settlement.

"Yes, discussion about sovereignty is nice and it will be a long discussion.

Labour and Te Tai Tokerau MP Kelvin Davis said any investment in the region was welcome and it was good to see Maori leaders involved.

However, he said there were two major "speed bumps" which had to be managed - water rights and local opposition to mining because of concerns about environmental contamination.

"Each mineral has to be looked at on its own merits and you have to balance the economic value against environmental costs."….

See full article HERE

Key pulls out of Waitangi visit

Prime Minister John Key will not be going to Waitangi this year, following a row over whether he should be able to attend and speak at the celebrations.

A letter was sent to Mr Key last night from Te Tii Marae trustees which said he would be allowed to speak in the whare, but his speech must not be political.

Mr Key called those rules a "gagging order" and said he wouldn't attend on Saturday unless the rules were revoked.

A one-line statement from a spokesperson from his office to media this afternoon, it says: "The Prime Minister's Office has had no response to its letter sent to trustees at Te Tii Marae earlier today. Accordingly, the Prime Minister has decided he will not be attending celebrations in Waitangi this year."….

See full article HERE

Aotearoa Fisheries appoints new directors to Sealord

Aotearoa Fisheries Limited is making changes to its appointed directors to Sealord Group Limited in order to have a complete alignment of its appointees with its own board. Aotearoa Fisheries owns 50% of Sealord on behalf of all Māori, and as such appoints half of the Sealord board of directors….

See full article HERE

Waitangi change a 'slap in the face' for Key - Harawira

John Key will attend Waitangi but Hone Harawira says the protocol for the Prime Minister at Te Tii Marae this year is a slap in the face.

Mr Key will be welcome to speak at Waitangi, but any political speech would take place at forum tent away from Te Tii Marae building, said an elder at Waitangi, Rihari Dargaville.

Mr Harawira, facilitator of the political forum venue, told Morning Report Ngāpuhi was sending a clear signal to Mr Key.

"It's definitely a slap in the face for the prime minister and big ups to Ngāpuhi for sending a clear message that they don't accept that he can refuse to consult with Māori, refuse to negotiate with Māori, refuse to brief Māori, refuse to let any Māori even see the TPPA and think that he can just swan on to the marae at Waitangi and promote the TPPA.

"I think it's the best interests in of the whole of Ngāpuhi and Māoridom that the signal has been sent to the Prime Minister in this way."

Mr Dargaville said there would be more protesters this year than ever before - with a group of 15,000 people opposing the signing of the TPP expected from Auckland…..

See full article HERE

Maori science academy launched

The first Maori science academy has been launched in Palmerston North.

Supported by Massey University, it's aimed at helping year 11 students do better in science and maths.

About 300 people attended the official opening of the academy, which will help more than 70 Maori high-school students in Manawatu…..

See full article HERE

FOMA sees TPP signing as start of wider public consultation
"FOMA has always sought to provide its members with relevant information on trade agreements that Maori will be affected by and the TPP is no different. The signing of the agreement next week signals the beginning of a 12month public consultation period which we are looking forward to actively participating in." says Federation of Maori Authorities Chairman Traci Houpapa. "We support the need for independent analysis of the TPP and the benefits for Maori and all New Zealanders"

"We recognise TPP is a complex trade arrangement which requires time to fully digest and understand. Our members support the trade benefits and want assurance that our national sovereignty and Treaty partnership are maintained. We welcome proper engagement with government and our members on this important matter."....
See full article HERE

Ngāpuhi Festival estimates attracting over 40,000 to Kaikohe

Ngāpuhi descendants from all over the world have gathered in Kaikohe this weekend to celebrate their Ngāpuhi kinship.

It's an annual event first run by Te Rūnanga-a-iwi o Ngāpuhi in 2004, alternating between Auckland and Kaikohe venues.

This year the event has returned to Kaikohe with crowds expected to be in excess of 40,000 people.

Tau says, "We all need to do is actively pursuing unity within Ngāpuhi. Having the Ngāpuhi Festival here is a good way to begin the year."…

See full article HERE

Mana Enhancing Agreement signed
An historic agreement has been signed between the Maungaharuru-Tangitū Trust and the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council aimed at working together to enhance the Te Wai-o-Hingānga (Esk), Arapawanui, Waipātiki and Te Ngarue catchments using surplus funding sourced from the Tangoio Soil Conservation Reserve.

Maungaharuru-Tangitū Trust General Manager Shayne Walker says the agreement sets out how the partnership will operate, based on Māori principles…..

See full article HERE

Maori representation within health workforce a 'work in progress'

Maori make up only 3 per cent of the Nelson Marlborough District Health Board's workforce, despite making up 12 per cent of the district's population.

Figures from the New Zealand Medical Workforce survey released last week show the proportion of doctors who identify as Maori is increasing nationally, although Maori are still under-represented in the medical workforce when compared to the proportion of Maori in the general population.

The health board was exploring how it could improve the recruitment and retention of Maori employees, Wereta said.

Steps had also been taken to improve the cultural awareness of all health board staff…..

See full article HERE

Iwi will perform powhiri, but does not mean support for TPPA
The iwi organisation performing the powhiri at the signing of the TPPA say they are happy to welcome guests but does not mean they support the trade deal......
See full article HERE

NZ Māori Council drops court bid to halt TPPA
The New Zealand Māori Council will not be taking the Government to the High Court in a bid to stop the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement. That's because it's a no-win situation.

Council co-chair, Maanu Paul told Te Kāea that his lawyers’ advice is contrary to the council's initial wishes.

Paul says, “Lawyer Richard Fowler QC said that we will not be lucky because it is not the right time and we will not win our case.”…

See full article HERE

Maori land bill tweaked in face of dissent

The crown is pushing ahead with its fast track timetable to rewrite Maori land law, releasing a new version of Te Ture Whenua Maori Bill even as the Waitangi Tribunal is preparing a report on whether the previous draft is in line with treaty principles.

A proposal to allow government officials to appoint kaiwhakarite or external managers for unutilised Maori land has been dropped,

Existing Maori trusts and incorporations will have the option to continue operating as the same entity, rather than having to switch to the new and untested rangatopu governance structure.

Mr Flavell says the safeguards around retaining Maori freehold land have been strengthened…

See full article HERE

Maori 'have been here since 14th century'

About 80 people gathered outside the former Manukau council chambers this morning to protest against a Fletcher Construction plan to build 480 houses on land containing ancestral Maori burial caves at Mangere.

A young father carrying his 3-year-old daughter broke into the planning hearing today and warned commissioners that they would "get it" if they approved the new housing project.

The young man, who gave his name only as Popata, said he came down from Kaitaia to support relatives at Mangere opposing the project.

"Hey, hey, hey," he told the five commissioners. "If you want to develop this land, go right ahead and you will see 200 of us occupying our land at Ihumatao.

"How would you like it if these fellows came to your burial ground and built on top of your ancestors?

"How would you like it if they built a house on top of your children? That's not right, eh?"

He added: "Our friends here and our relations here will carry on protesting and yous are going to get it when you come to Ihumatao."….

See full article HERE

Golden Bay recreation facility blessed

In the darkness of pre-dawn, Golden Bay residents gathered in a ceremony led by Archdeacon Andy Joseph and iwi representative Barney Thomas to bless the planned recreation facility site.

The ceremony early on Tuesday saw 80 people pass around nine Kohatu (mauri stones) gifted by community and iwi Manawhenua ki Mohua. They were touched by each person before being laid in a hole near where the facility's entrance will be.

The site where the recreation centre is being developed is at the Golden Bay Recreation Ground, commonly known as the Golden Bay A&P showgrounds.

Thomas said the ceremony bestowed a blessing on the land, to "anchor the project" and the building placed there…..

See full article HERE

Mole News is published on a regular basis to expose the on-going build up of race-based privilege in New Zealand. The Mole welcomes tips - please send to mole@nzcpr.com. Older news items can be found HERE and HERE and HERE.

3 February 2016

Council calls for clarity on Maori water rights
The Northland Regional Council is calling on the government to pass a law making it clear that nobody owns freshwater.

It is asking for legislation to confirm the Crown as the caretaker of fresh water on behalf of all New Zealanders.

The council held an unscheduled meeting on freshwater last week at the urging of councillor John Bain.

He said he had reason to believe the government was considering a new regime of tradeable water rights with set allocations for iwi.

Northland Regional Council chair Bill Shepherd said he and others were uneasy that democratically-elected regional councils could lose authority to iwi, as the government tried to accommodate Maori interests in water.

He said the government was talking to Maori but not to regional councils…..
See full article HERE

TPP deserves praise from Maori, not condemnation (Opinion)

Former MP Hone Harawira has stated some complete falsehoods about Trans Pacific Partnership, Maori and the Treaty of Waitangi.

This coincided with publication of a paper by "experts" Dr Carwyn Jones, Associate Professor Claire Charters, Andrew Eruti and Professor Jane Kelsey on "Maori rights, Te Tiriti O Waitangi and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement".

Days later several Maori elders spoke negatively about the TPP at Ratana and were joined by a bevy of political leaders.

This criticism of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) forced me to reread a big chunk of the TPP and previous free trade agreements and to study every element of the criticisms being levelled against the TPP and Maori.

My conclusions are radically different from the critics'. I believe that rather than being inadequate in its protections for Maori, TPP is if anything a taonga in the way it protects the rights of the New Zealand Government to discriminate in favour of Maori….

See full article HERE

Proposal to change name opposed

A proposal to change the spelling of Tokomairiro has drawn strong opposition from people living in the area.

The New Zealand Geographic Board (NZGB) made a proposal at the end of last year to change the spelling of three unofficially recorded names in South Otago.

It said the spelling of the Tokomairiro River, Tokomairiro River East Branch and Tokomairiro River West Branch were incorrect and should be spelled "Tokomairaro''.

It claimed "Tokomairaro'' appeared in early historical documents.

Milton Historical Society member Nancie Allison did not agree and made a submission to the board against the name change.

"The earliest maps I've found only ever have an ‘i','' she said…..

See full article HERE

From the NZCPR archives by Michael Coote
The Great Maori Language Rort
The staggering cost of Maori language looting

And what about funding? Throughout Te Reo Maiuriora it is reiterated that the government has the obligation to “support” the Maori language – meaning to foot the bill for everything connected with it – and this is where we come to the magical number of $600 million per year (see Review of Maori Language Sector and Strategy 2011 – page 55).

It is perhaps the report’s focus on this eye-watering number that most embarrassed the government and more particularly Mr Sharples, coming out as it did on the eve of a new austerity budget.

But the report’s authors Te Paepae Motuhake actually got the number out of a report by Te Puni Kokiri – Mr Sharples’ own ministerial department.

According to appendices in Te Reo Maurora, the department’s inventory of Maori language expenditure from all government sources as at June 30, 2009, gave a budget breakdown which we have tabulated below (from p. 87):

Government department	Dollar spend (millions)	Percentage of total
Education	502.2	84.25
Maori Language Broadcasting Commission	56.7	9.51
Maori Television Service	13.0	2.18
Ministry of Culture	13.8	2.32
Maori Language Commission	5.5	0.92
Ministry of Maori Development	4.7	0.82
Grand totals	596.1	100

Thus nearly $600 million was blown in just one year providing taxpayer-funded Maori language “support” to the population of part-Maori, of whom just 24% actually spoke the language fluently in 2006.

And Te Paepae Motuhake argues that this same annual expenditure should be handed directly to tribes so they can teach Maori dialects to their own kids at home.

Mr Sharples must be ruing the day he appointed Te Paepae Motuhake only to have them come back to bite him on his ample backside, and worse by publicising and politicising the $600 million per year……
Read Michael's full enlightening article HERE
April 22, 2011

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