Pages

Tuesday, August 6, 2019

Mole News


After years of hectic digging and investigating, the Mole has finally retired. We thank him for his wonderful service. Our "Breaking Views Updates" monitor race relations in the media, picking up where he left off...  

Iwi corrects New Zealand Geographic Board
Ohakune-based iwi Ngāti Rangi has corrected the New Zealand Geographic Board (NZGB) on their recent incorrect spelling of Ohakune as “Ōhakune”.

Chairman Che Wilson said he was shocked and disappointed that the NZGB failed to consult with Ngāti Rangi during the name change process.

“Ohakune has an important meaning to us as Ngāti Rangi and to our communities. The NZGB need to consult with all of us before making ill-informed decisions.”
See full article HERE

Armed Police at Ihumātao is history repeating itself
‘Armed Police at Ihumātao is history repeating itself’ The Māori Party condemns the actions of armed Police who attempted to block Ihumātao protectors from access to the maunga to conduct waerea, karakia and waiata today.

“What is the state of relations between tangata whenua and the State when peaceful whenua protectors are subjected to the terror of Police bearing arms?”....
See full article HERE

Social licence to develop Ihumātao lost
A leader of Save Our Unique Landscape says Fletcher has lost the social licence to build at Ihumātao.

"I think it's been made clear Fletchers has lost the social licence to build. What we have seen around the motu has been a huge awakening of what has been happening here at Ihumātao in terms of the bigger picture of what the people of Ihumātao have had to face around the desecration of the awa, the moana, the maunga and all of those sorts of things," she says……
See full article HERE

Complex health system harms Māori outcomes
University of Auckland experts are blaming a complex and fragmented health system for compounding the inequalities Māori and other groups are experiencing in access to care and health outcomes.

They recommend a major overhaul, including a far greater focus on prevention and tackling the underlying drivers of health inequities, such as housing, institutional racism, and food and alcohol industries.

They also want to see Māori groups to lead and govern indigenous health services......
See full article HERE

Te Mata Peak park application sent back over failure to consult with tangata whenua properly
But the council has returned the trust's application because it failed to include various pieces of information. One of these was the detail showing there had been genuine and meaningful consultation with tangata whenua.

"Consultation means a little bit more than ringing someone and asking 'what do you think?'. It's not a difficult procedure, but it has to be done properly. I've always told them that in light of what happened we would need to go through the correct process. I'd need to take it back to our people and see what they think. That hasn't occurred," MacDonald said......
See full article HERE

Marae at risk of being 'totally consumed by rising sea'
Mrs Tumahai said the symposium was an important step for the iwi in its commitment to addressing the growing threat of climate change.

"Many of our marae are found in low-lying, coastal areas and as such are at risk of coastal erosion and in some cases, of being totally consumed by rising sea levels in the coming years....
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

5 August 2019

Ihumātao: Protesters accept Kiingitanga's offer to host hui
Those against a development at Ihumātao have accepted the Kiingitanga's offer to host a hui for all mana whenua to find a resolution.

"The Kiingitanga is here for all mana whenua. The issues are complex, which is why all mana whenua have been invited.

The government nor Fletcher building will be part of the hui (meeting).

The Kiingitanga have suggested meeting before 14 August.....
See full article HERE

King Tūheitia visits Ihumātao
Wilson stated, “you couldn’t help but cry as you heard the shared history, blow by blow, as you reflected on the Crowns deliberate attempts to eliminate the people of Ihumātao and all of Tainui as staunch supporters of the Kīngitanga.”

However, the government must front up and pay to seek resolution as the Crown created this mess.” says Wilson....
See full article HERE

NZ Maori Council calls on National Leader to apologize; Reminds National it failed Maori
“Across the parties, and moving forward, we need to strengthen Maori Crown relations and our focus must be around hope, aspiration and opportunity for our people ....”
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

4 August 2019

Hauora Coalition expands reach into Waikato
The National Hauora Coalition will double its enrolled population to more than 200,000 patients by bringing another 23 general practices under the Primary Health Organisation.

This includes an increase of Māori enrolled patients from 18,000 to 42,000.

Seventeen practices in Waikato and six in Waitematā will join in October, adding to the 30 practices the coalition now services in Auckland, Counties- Manukau, Waikato and Whanganui District Health Boards.

"We are very conscious around Māori values, tikanga Māori. We are very conscious around Māori preferences, Māori aspirations. It is a very explicit part of our charter and it is a crucial and important part of the advancement of Māori industry interests in primary care which I hope over the next 10 years will grow," he says.......
See full article HERE

Government funding boost as Ahuwhenua embraces horticulture
Government funding for the Ahuwhenua Trophy will increase as the competition expands to include horticulture.

Part of the sponsorship will include 12,000 tree seedlings supplied by the Minginui Nursery, and made possible through the One Billion Trees Programme.

Māori Development Minister Nanaia Mahuta told delegates at today’s Horticulture New Zealand conference in Hamilton that Māori are now major players in the horticultural sector, producing at least 10 percent of the annual kiwifruit crop, as well as avocados and berries as rapidly expanding crops.....
See full article HERE

Meng Foon, te reo Māori speaker, race relations commissioner
Now, 59-year-old Foon hopes to use that ability to immerse himself in other cultures in his new role of Race Relations Commissioner.

Where better to start, you might think, than making te reo compulsory in schools. Foon reckons all primary school children should learn Māori,

From the wars, land confiscations and cultural suppression endured by Māori to the poll tax and discrimination suffered by the Chinese immigrants who came before him.
See full article HERE

Kīngitanga flag raised at Ihumātao, to stay until resolution reached
The King has raised the Kīngitanga flag just outside the main tent which is on the front line.

A Kīngitanga spokesperson says the flag will stay at Ihumātao and be returned to the King once a resolution has been reached at this whenua.
See full article HERE

Hundreds have descended upon south Auckland in response to the Maori King's call for solidarity
Nineteen buses from the Waikato made the journey to the disputed Ihumatao land early this morning, to show a united front.....
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

3 August 2019

Maori-Crown tertiary education advisory group a positive step forward
The TEU and its national rananga, Te Toi Ahurangi, welcome the announcement Maori will be included from the outset, as key partners in the next stages of the Reform of Vocational Education process, with the creation of Te Taumata Aronui - a Maori-Crown tertiary education advisory group.

The new institute promises to have governance that reflects the Maori-Crown partnership and promotes national collaboration and leadership with local solutions to regional issues, with a responsibility to prioritise Maori learners.

Clear lines of communication will ensure the gains made by Maori through the consultation process are not lost, and that the Maori-Crown partnership is not only upheld and enhanced, but embedded" Hahana said.

Both Watene and Cooper say TEU Maori members have expressed the need for local culture to be maintained and respected under the new, reformed structure of tertiary education. "A charter with an enduring commitment to strong regional campuses must also ensure an enduring commitment to regions in governance and representation. This must extend to the importance placed on the different mita and tikanga of iwi in which the polytechnics are located, and ensuring this is not lost at a local level under a coordinated national system"........
See full article HERE

Targeted social support funding for 450 Manawatu-Wanganui whanau
The expansion of an iwi, community and government initiative will improve the wellbeing of 450 of our most vulnerable Manawatu-Wanganui families Minister of Social Development Carmel Sepuloni and Minister for whanau Ora Peeni Henare announced today.

The Kainga whanau Ora initiative is an Iwi-led programme working with 167 families and whanau living in Housing New Zealand homes in Palmerston North.

The government is investing $4.6 million over the next two years to expand the initiative to a further 300 whanau in Whanganui and Palmerston North.

Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni says the funding for expansion demonstrates the Government’s commitment to lifting Māori and Pacific incomes, skills and opportunities......
See full article HERE

Samuels' task to exert Māori influence
Māori Development Minister Nanaia Mahuta wants the new head of her ministry to have influence across government.

She says Dave Samuels has an international perspective from working on trade issues for the Ministry for Primary Industries in the Middle East and China for the past five years, so he understands Māori aspirations for exports and trade.

He can also help the ministry sell its vision to Māori development to other government agencies......
See full article HERE

Ngāti Rongo look to have Tuhirangi Auckland Shooting Club site recognised as culturally significant
The kaitiaki (guardians) of a maunga north of Auckland say a controversial shooting club should never have been allowed to operate there because the land is wāhi tapu (sacred).

Auckland Shooting Club, north of Kaukapakapa, has been embroiled in a bitter fight with the neighbouring meditation centre and locals over its right to operate.

The hapū, Ngāti Rongo (or Ngāti Rango), is joining the fray and wants to have the maunga recognised as a site of cultural significance, which could potentially affect any future activities on the land......
See full article HERE

Ihumātao inspiration leads to threat of Shelly Bay hikoi and occupation
A group opposing Māori land sales at Shelly Bay have confirmed they are willing to occupy the land and talks of a hikoi south from Taranaki are afoot.

Sydney Mepham, from Mau Whenua – a group of Taranaki Whanui members opposed to the sale of Māori land at Shelly Bay – confirmed the group was considering an occupation of the harbourside site.

They had also been approached by a group of Taranaki iwi keen to have a motorised hikoi to Wellington to help out, he said......
See full article HERE

Ngapuhi: We didn't cede sovereignty
One of the coordinators of hapū hui within Ngāpuhi says the Government needs to rip up the existing negotiating mandate and start again.

They want a complete different negotiating process than the crown was contemplating under the Tūhoronuku model.

"Not because we just want to be different for the sake of it, but there are so many different things Ngāpuhi have. For instance, the fact we didn't cede sovereignty and we won't be ceding sovereignty and we can't move forward until we address that issue or at least begin talking about it with the crown. We are a very very different iwi to the rest of the settlements that have taken place," Ms Himiona says.....
See full article HERE

Treaty settlements concerning Ihumatao are “Full and Final” - Chris Finlayson
Former Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Chris Finlayson tells Sean Plunket that the treaty negotiations covering Ihumātao are "full and final".

Chris explains how the process looks to build settlements through iwi by iwi negotiations, in particular for the area involved here.

Chris was explicit in stating that these treaty negotiations were full and final. He also tells Sean how the Green Party were supportive of the negotiations at the time.

They then move on to the question of private land under the treaty, that it is not possible to be taken by the crown through compulsory purchase, Chris says private land is absolutely not able to be interfered with by the state......
See full article HERE

Crown needs to do more to recognise range of Māori viewpoints - iwi leader
The Crown needs to step up and be more flexible in the way it engages with Māoridom or scenes like those at Ihumātao are likely to become more common, a Taranaki iwi leader says.

Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Ruanui kaiarataki Debbie Ngarewa-Packer said the strategy in place around the Treaty of Waitangi settlement process and the need for mandated iwi authorities to negotiate directly with the Government was dictated by the Crown and often resulted in people being left out from the outset.

In general, Ngarewa-Packer said the Crown needed to adapt its approach in order to better reflect its treaty partnership status with Māori......
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

2 August 2019

Constitutional change behind hīkoi call
A Māori lawyer who was on yesterday's Hands Off Our Tamariki hīkoi to parliament says the calls by Māori for significant partnerships with the crown are intensifying.

But the hīkoi wanted more than Māori being service providers or consultants to crown agencies.

"The connecting factor between this kaupapa, the happenings at Ihumātao, the kaupapa Māori health inquiry, other kaupapa, take being raised by the Waitangi Tribunal recently show that it's all the same concern really, which is about that lack of a true partnership relationship between Māori and the crown and the need for really significant change to our constitutional arrangements," Ms Quince says......
See full article HERE

New national drinking water regulator confirmed
A new central government regulator will take over responsibility for the nation's drinking water supplies after gaps in the current system were exposed by the 2016 Havelock North drinking water contamination that poisoned hundreds and caused four deaths.

Local Government and Health Ministers Nanaia Mahuta and David Clark announced the long-signalled decision to create a new regulator, which will extend drinking water regulation to a wide range of small-scale water suppliers. It will exclude individual "self-suppliers" using tank or bore water or another freshwater source.

That change will create costs for a range of remote or standalone facilities, including marae and papakainga Maori community housing, prisons, schools, campgrounds and isolated community water supply systems. Decisions on possible funding assistance will be determined by the end of the year.

Three waters regulation also meshes with the government's separate 'Essential Freshwater' programme, which seeks a holistic approach to the environmental regulation of all forms of fresh and salt water, and a new system for allocating access to freshwater resources.

The latter will require a settlement of the long-standing and so far insoluble issue of how to recognise Maori rights and interests in freshwater that the courts have established exist under the Treaty of Waitangi.....
See full article HERE

Regional council launches bold plan for environment
After a decade of consultation with the community, decisions on an ambitious plan designed to protect and enhance the regional environment were released today by Greater Wellington Regional Council.

Developed in partnership with the region’s mana whenua iwi, the plan consolidates five separate plans into one designed to future proof environmental performance in the Wellington region.

The plan recognises the relationships that our mana whenua iwi have the region’s natural and physical resources, and basic Maori principles of stewardship are fully recognised throughout......
See full article HERE

Ihumātao: Māori Development Minister meets SOUL co-founder
Late this afternoon, Ms Newton said it was a positive and constructive hui, and they would be meeting again at a later date.

Ms Francis said those at Ihumātao have been underestimated and she was confident they'd get a good result.

"There's absolutely room for compromise but the reality of it is that at this moment, we have the upper hand.

"It's kind of like we've taken over jurisdiction of the road but also the whenua, we most definitely have the upper hand and I don't think we're in a position to negotiate until we can ensure the safety of all of our people and ensure the whakamana of the hui.".....
See full article HERE

Police seen as health threat to protest children
A group of Māori public health specialists want the Government to withdraw the police from Ihumātao while talks are going on between the parties.

The 11-member group, which includes Dr Rhys Jones, Professor Papaarangi Reid and Professor David Tipene-Leach, says they have no confidence the police presence at Ihumātao will result in a peaceful resolution.

In fact, they are concerned it has the potential to cause harm to Māori children and adults participating as peaceful protectors.....
See full article HERE

Govt going ahead with polytech merger plan
New Zealand's 16 polytechnics will be merged into one national campus as part of vocational education reforms announced by Education Minister Chris Hipkins today.

* Greater Maori involvement, especially through Te Taumata Aronui, a Maori Crown Tertiary Education Group;......
See full article HERE

$11.5 million project to revolutionise ocean forecasting
This project combines mātauranga Māori with science. Iwi partners Whakatōhea will bring their traditional and contemporary oceanographic knowledge and aquaculture experience to the project.

Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board, Chair Robert Edwards says the Whakatōhea iwi has been living in the Ōpōtiki area for approximately 900 years and has built its indigenous knowledge systems around the land and sea over generations......
See full article HERE

Learning reo chance to make amends
September's Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori will be officially launched this afternoon at the Wharewaka on Wellington's waterfront by Governor General Dame Patsy Reddy today.

Te Taura Whiri chief executive Ngahiwi Apanui expects it to be the biggest yet.

He says the increased interest and support for the language is being reflected in the support for the Ihumātao action and other Māori protests.

"With every generation there will be a fight to be had and the treaty will never be settled, it will just continually be honoured, and that is what our people will be asking for. That is what I love about te reo Māori, because for most New Zealanders it's a little way they can give back, can make amends, by learning the language and helping keep it alive. That is what I love about te reo Māori too. Most New Zealanders can't return the land, they can't make decisions for the government, but they can learn te reo Māori," Mr Apanui says......
See full article HERE

Victoria University announces new names in brand refresh
The Victoria Business School will be called Wellington School of Business and Government.

Victoria International will be called Wellington University International.

The council approved a more simplified version of a primary logo for the university by removing the repetition of the word "Wellington".

It also approved Te Herenga Waka as the University's new Māori name......
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

1 August 2019

Jacinda Ardern's response to Ihumātao is a potentially career-defining mistake
Initially, Jacinda Ardern stayed clear of the mess, but on Friday she made a potentially career-defining mistake. Our Prime Minister has decided to open a majestic can of worms.

She has given the protesters a leg to stand on, when they should have packed their bags long ago.

Ardern vowed that there would be no building until a settlement can be reached. The question must be raised: How can the Prime Minister have executive powers to stop a private company from pursuing their agenda, when they have passed every piece of red-tape?…..
See full article HERE

Science challenge grant to promote Māori superfoods
The Riddet Institute has secured $1.75 million from the High-Value Nutrition National Science Challenge to continue its Science of Food programme, which includes working with Māori businesses on new food products that deliver health benefits.

Products already delivered which are undergoing clinical trials include low-fat yoghurts fortified with a plant bioactive, a high-fibre kūmara powder to stimulate healthy gut bacteria in weaning infants, and a plant-based nutrition bar for the management of pre-diabetes, which was co-developed with NUKU ki te PukuTM, a cluster of innovative Māori businesses…..
See full article HERE

Meeting halted after iwi leader says city not ready for refugees
Whanganui iwi leader, Ken Mair, told the hui that issues confronting Māori in the city needed to be addressed before refugees could be resettled there.

"We made it very clear that there is a need for discussions between the minister, local and central government to work through some of the issues we have from a local iwi point of view."

Mr Mair said the meeting was then brought to a halt and he was told it would not be reconvened until iwi had had the discussions it was seeking…..
See full article HERE

Emotional graduation ceremony as Ngāti Apa's next generation of leaders stand tall
She was one of about 20 rangatahi, or young people, to graduate from Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō's 10th Mana Rangatahi wānanga, or programme, at Omaka Marae in Blenheim on July 20.

"We know New Zealand suffered dearly through colonisation. This is the solution. All we do is take their seed of greatness and water that seed," he said.

Nellie-Jane Robinson, who was awarded 'senior warrior' at the wānanga, said she had attended nine of the 10 programmes.

"Five years ago I used to be a little pākehā girl with no eyebrows. Now, I can proudly call myself Māori. I'm so grateful for this experience," she said.....
See full article HERE

Te Rarawa lifts roadblock to Shipwreck Bay in Far North
Te Rarawa has opened the gate that had been blocking the road down to Te Kohanga - Shipwreck Bay - on Sunday evening.

The iwi is satisfied that its message - that those who visit the beach and the coastline to the west, and the environment in general, should treat it with respect - had been heard loud and clear.....
See full article HERE

Open letter to Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern
Subject: Concerns regarding risks to safety and wellbeing secondary to the potential for Crown-sanctioned violence by the New Zealand Police at Ihumātao

There is a substantive evidence-base regarding the adverse health and wellbeing outcomes both for Indigenous peoples globally, and for Māori in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Based upon previous experience, for example, the Bastion Point arrests and the unlawful police raids on Tuhoe, as well as the ongoing over-surveillance and inequitable treatment of Māori in the criminal justice system, we have no confidence that the police presence at Ihumātao will result in a peaceful resolution. In fact, we are concerned that it has the potential to cause harm to Māori children and adults participating as peaceful protectors, as are their rights, under the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, ratified by the New Zealand Government......
See full article HERE

Ōpōtiki District - the pet fish from afar
Consultation begins today on the addition of macrons to correct the spelling of Opotiki District to Ōpōtiki District.

Ms Shaw says the town name officially became Ōpōtiki on 21 June 2019, so correcting the district name would align the two......
See full article HERE

Opponents stymied at Dunedin oil and gas hearing
Climate Justice Taranaki spokesman Urs Signer said oil should be treated under the Treaty of Waitangi as taonga, and therefore Maori should be the owner of that resource.....
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

31 July 2019

Ihumātao: Winston Peters says mana whenua views will be taken seriously
Acting Prime Minister Winston Peters has weighed in to the dispute at Ihumātao, saying mana whenua would be the one group the Government would take seriously, and accusing occupiers of bad faith.

Peters also left open the option of the Government purchasing the disputed land, putting him at odds with other Government ministers.

"We're going to look at these issues, we're going to look at Māori tikanga, Māori culture, and Māori lore with regards to land ownership," he said.....
See full article HERE

Winston Peters says Māori need to address violence against women and children
Acting Prime Minister Winston Peters says some criticisms against Oranga Tamariki are unfair and that since it attempted to uplift a baby at Hastings hospital in May, three Māori babies had been killed.

"If any of you understand Māoridom, you'll know there is some deep disquiet with respect to the treatment of women and children in particular," he said.

"So let's not wipe our hands of this - and own up to the fact that if there's going to be a change, then there has to be a cultural renaissance in Māoridom itself as to its internal responsibilities to help fix this issue."

The taxpayer in good faith was putting in a lot of money into Oranga Tamariki and there were a lot of motivated and hard-working social workers.....
See full article HERE

Winston Peters shares doubts over Ihumātao and Oranga Tamariki protests
"Let's not have this view that somehow it's all the white man's fault, and if it were not for that Māori would be, in terms of looking after their children and their people and their women, in particular, perfect. Let's have some frank candour here," he said.

"With all its failings I'm so glad the English got here and settled this country, rather than some other cultures, because, with all its failings, it is so much better than all the rest of the world.".....
See full article HERE

New Māori business centre launches in Waikato
Māori Development Minister Hon Nanaia Mahuta has launched Te Ahikōmako the first centre of Māori innovation and entrepreneurship that will be open to all Māori business entrepreneurs, innovators and whānau in the Waikato region.

“ I am also delighted that this was an act of cross Government cooperation with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment through the Provincial Growth Fund contributing $500,000. This is a joint initiative with Te Puni Kōkiri who contributed a further $150,000.

“Te Ahikōmako was developed and designed by Māori in order to meet the very specific needs of Māori and it will be a place where our whānau can realise and bring to life their business ideas and concepts – this is about whānau success and creating a robust regional economy for the future,” says Nanaia Mahuta.....
See full article HERE

Porirua City's bilingual signage costs nearly $30k in consultant's and designer's fees
Porirua City's new bilingual signs have cost nearly $30,000 in consultant and designer's fees.

Featuring te reo Māori and English, the signs cost $27,360 to design which included work by cultural advisors, bilingual experts and "strategic exploration of our strategy for bilingual signage," a council spokesman said.

A further $1643 was spent on translation costs for 113 signs destined for places including Porirua Park, Ngati Toa Hall and Ngati Toa Domain.

Porirua City Council chief executive Wendy Walker said in a statement the city was proudly multicultural and the signs would reflect that.....
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

30 July 2019

DHB to tackle racism of care
Racism is a “basic, underlying” reason for poor health suffered by Maori and Pacific New Zealanders, a major DHB has concluded.

Auckland DHB will put managers through training modules as part of a new plan to stamp out institutional racism...

The report mapped out responses that included “institutional racism modules” for managers, mentoring programmes for Maori and Pacific workers, and ongoing te reo classes.

The DHB has already started a hiring policy that fast-tracks all eligible Maori and Pacific job candidates straight to the interview stage.....
Via Herald on Sunday 28/7/19 (page 6)

Ardern is promoting illegal behaviour at Ihumātao, says Act
ACT leader David Seymour thinks Ardern has made a dangerous call.

"By stopping development at Ihumātao, the Prime Minister has said if you break the law and illegally occupy other people's private property, the Government won't punish you - it'll actually help you."

Thousands more protestors packed into the site on Satuday, many having camped overnight. Fletcher, which actually struck a deal with the iwi to build the homes, has sent the protesters eviction notices.

Seymour says Ardern's interference is legitimising unlawful behaviour.
"If the Prime Minister is going to have any intervention, it should be upholding property rights and the rule of law - not emboldening people who break the law and occupy other people's property."....
See full article HERE

Ihumaatao: Maori Party calls for Tikanga Commissioner and Office
Maori Party calls for an independent Tikanga Commissioner and Office. This independent tool would be funded by the Crown to be the watch-dog of Crown engagement and help hapu and iwi to navigate issues that have been established as a result of Crown intervention.

The racist agenda of Treasury means that Maori are always given the crumbs where as South Canterbury Finance, leaky homes and too many other examples are treated differently creating poverty, disadvantage and all the worst statistics of our nation.

The Office would be able to critique the processes of government, like an ombudsman and facilitate tikanga processes to help restore balance between hapu and iwi.....
See full article HERE

Muslims at Ihumātao: 'They can always rely on us'
Muslim leaders have come to pray with the people of Ihumātao, sharing the pain of having their sacred spaces attacked.

Mariam Arif took her two tamariki (children) Faruq and Faris to Ihumātao. She joined family who travelled from Hamilton.

"Most of us as minority groups relate quite a bit to the [constant] struggle here [whether it is] the whenua [land] or the reo [language] or the ahurea [culture]."

"We're just here to show tangata whenua [indigenous people] that we are here and if they need anything, they can always rely on us to be by their side."....
See full article HERE

Nelson Arts Festival’s readers and writers programme gets a new name
Nelson Arts Festival is excited to announce that its readers and writers programme has a new name – Pukapuka Talks,

Festival Director Charlie Unwin says, “We’re delighted to embrace Te Reo Māori with the word pukapuka (Māori for book) as part of our title,....
See full article HERE

Ihumātao protest: 'We are still here'
The group leading the Ihumātao protest say they want written confirmation from the Prime Minister that construction will not be allowed on the land, and called for the government to remove the police presence.

SOUL spokesperson Pania Newton, told a media stand up they were also asking for the police and contractors to leave the land.

"We are asking them to leave the land so that we are able to re-enter the whenua and exercise our kaitiakitanga and guardianship over the land."....
See full article HERE

Ihumatao: Senior iwi member David Rankin to complain over PM Jacinda Ardern’s ‘interference’
Meanwhile, a complaint with police will be laid over the Prime Minister's "interference" in the Ihumātao dispute. David Rankin, who describes himself as a senior member of Te Kawerau a Maki, said he would lodge a complaint with police that the Prime Minister used her position to interfere in a legal transaction and as a consequence would deprive the iwi of dozens of homes which Fletchers had contracted to provide to the mana whenua.....
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

29 July 2019

Peeni Henare warns Government buying Ihumātao land will 'undermine every Treaty settlement done to date'
In an interview with Newshub Nation, the Whānau Ora Minister and representative for Tāmaki Makarau warned doing so would set a precedent.

"If the Government steps in to buy this land back, we undermine every Treaty settlement that's been done to date," said Henare.

"We then allow relitigation of settlements that have been done in the past and are we prepared for that? I'll leave that question there."

But when pressed on whether the Government would allow this to happen, Henare refused to rule it out......
See full article HERE

Ihumātao building development suspended until solution reached - Jacinda Ardern
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced there will be no building activity on the Ihumātao site until a solution is reached.

On Friday night Ardern said that over the past week "things have escalated" in the dispute over the housing development......
See full article HERE

Ihumātao: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern slow on intervention - leading Māori figure Matthew Tukaki
Tukaki wants something more resolute put into place, but in the meantime is calling for police to leave protesters alone.

"What we need to do is ask the police to kindly leave. We have the Māori wardens here on site. Whānau are cooperating and everything is calm and peaceful.

"What has happened with the police coming in is we have dialled up that tension just a little bit. I understand they are here to enforce a court order but we are also pitting people and whānau against whānau when it comes to this matter."

He said police don't always need to get involved.

"Māori can sort out their own problems. What we don't need is always the intervention of uniformed police officers representing essentially the Crown to somehow keep us safe and secure, but arrest us if things get a little bit hoha.".....
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

27 July 2019

Iwi advocate: Ihumātao protesters are there under misinformation
However, iwi advocate Pita Turei told Heather du Plessis Allan SOUL's website is misleading.

He says the land destined to become a housing development used to be wheat fields, not ancient burial grounds.

"It comes from the SOUL page. It doesn't match up with history, it doesn't match up with the map, and it also doesn't match up to the archaeological reports. It is deliberate."

Truei says that nothing sacred will be built upon.....
See full article HERE

Ihumātao: An opportunity for leadership from our Treaty partner
President of the Māori Party Che Wilson states: “I have first-hand experience in the flaws of the governments Treaty Settlement processes.”

“Ihumatao is an example of mana whenua trying over decades to resolve the raupatu afflicted upon them. The future generations have unprecedented challenges including climate change, extreme poverty, and homelessness.”

“They are going to hold all leaders to account whether we like it or not.

“Whether it’s Ihumatao, Oranga Tamariki, Whānau Ora or Māori Water Rights, the Prime is conveniently absent. She avoids Māori issues and as the leader of the other half of the Treaty Partnership, she needs to front up....
See full article HERE

Select committee won't side with SOUL
Meanwhile, the Māori Affairs Select Committee has declined to recommend any government intervention in the dispute, but asked the House to take careful note of the petitioners' concerns.

Fletcher discussed with local and central government whether they would consider extending the existing Ōtuataua Stonefields Reserve to include the disputed land, and it was told there is no need for additional reserve space in this area.

The committee says the situation at special housing area 62 is complex, with competing rights and interests to the land, including the right to develop the land as the private owners see fit......
See full article HERE

Ngāti Rangi Claims Settlement Bill passes final reading
The settlement includes a ground-breaking and integrated new framework for the Whangaehu River catchment called Te Waiū-o-Te-Ika, which recognises the intrinsic connection between the iwi and hapū of Whangaehu with the awa. It also includes the return of the lake beds at Rotokura, a compre-hensive Conservation Partnership Framework and special arrangements in relation to pākohe, pākere, onewa and matā.

The settlement includes financial and commercial redress of approximately $17m. This is made up of a combination of cash, commercial redress properties to transfer through the settlement, as well as a range of rights of first refusal and deferred selection over specified Crown property....
See full article HERE

Ngai Tahu has bought almost 70 hectares of industrial land for subdivision south of Christchurch
Competition is about to heat up with South Island's largest iwi, Ngai Tahu, buying almost 70 hectares of industrial land for subdivision and sale south of Christchurch.

More well-known for its residential and commercial office development, the iwi's property arm, Ngai Tahu Property, has purchased a 32 hectare block of land in Hoskyns Road, Rolleston, about 20 kilometres south of central Christchurch, and a 36ha block in Shands Road, Hornby, which is part of the former Heinz Watties property.

Ngai Tahu is developing subdivision plans for both blocks and is targeting buyers who want to buy the freehold land without building ties.....
See full article HERE

Teachers seek to boost te reo Māori learning in early years
Early childhood teachers throughout New Zealand are being supported with free professional development opportunities to help them weave te reo Māori into children’s learning......
See full article HERE

Maori Scholarship for Hands On – Otago Uni
A fully funded scholarship is available for students of Maori descent entering year 12 or 13 next year and have an interest in studying at Otago....
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

26 July 2019

Council role in maintaining New Plymouth urupā supported
A grant could be made available to maintain a number of Māori burial grounds in New Plymouth following a long-running campaign.

Te Ātiawa kaumātua Peter Moeahu has made several presentations calling on the New Plymouth District Council to maintain urupā in the same way it maintains district cemeteries.

Earlier this year he told the council that Section 3 of the Burial and Cremations Act 1964, which excludes Māori burial grounds from protections unless expressly provided for, was "institutionalised racism" and a breach of both the Treaty of Waitangi and the Human Rights Act.....
See full article HERE

We lead, you follow message for justice reform
A spokesperson for the Ināia Tonu Nei: Māori Justice Hui report says changing the criminal justice system will benefit not just Māori but the whole country.

The reforms need to encompass not just the criminal justice system but the way other aspects of government such as the education system deal with Māori.....
See full article HERE

Study to investigate Maori fruit and vegetable consumption
Dr Geoff Kira, Nga Puhi, from Massey University’s School of Health Sciences has been awarded nearly quarter of a million dollars to carry out a feasibility study focusing on the tools used to measure fruit and vegetable consumption among Maori.

The study, entitled He Pataka Marohi - the feasibility of novel and conventional instruments, will be carried out over two years, and is funded by a Feasibility Study grant from the Health Research Council of New Zealand......
See full article HERE

Ihumātao protest: Kaumātua and rangatahi split over development
A generational divide is at the heart of the ongoing battle to stop a housing development at Ihumātao.

The protests are being lead by mana whenua Pania Newton and her cousins, who have been pushing for the land - owned by Fletcher Building - to be returned to iwi, 160 years after it was first confiscated by the Crown.

But local kaumātua Te Warena Taua from Te Kawerau a Maki, who gave his blessing for the housing development to go forward, said Ms Newton and her cousins were disrespecting their elders by not moving on from the site.....
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

25 July 2019

Iwi to negotiate with Crown for return of Pink and White Terraces land
Two Rotorua iwi have signed an agreement to end an historical dispute over the land where the Pink and White Terraces once stood.

The Deed of Undertaking was signed by Te Mana o Ngāti Rangitihi Trust and Tūhourangi Tribal Authority at the Waimangu Volcanic valley yesterday.

For Tūhourangi, it is an opportunity for land that wasn't previously available when it was settled with the Crown in 2009 to be returned, and for Ngāti Rangitihi to resolve the overlapping claim issue it has with Tūhourangi.

The two iwi will negotiate a settlement with the Crown for the Waimangu and Otūkapuarangi Land, which borders part of Lake Rotomahana.....
See full article HERE

Fight for Ihumātao: Three people arrested at historic Auckland site
Three people have been arrested at a police cordon barring anyone from entering the land at Ihumātao, near Auckland Airport.

The site is due to be developed by Fletcher Building but has been the subject of a bitter dispute and occupation, and an eviction notice was served against occupiers today.....
See full article HERE

'It's unacceptable': David Parker launches Resource Management Act 'overhaul'
The key issues to be addressed in a review of the RMA will include removing "unnecessary complexity", ensuring faster and more responsive land use planning, and ensuring Māori have more participation.

The overhaul will consider reducing the complexity of consenting processes, clarifying the meaning of iwi authority and hapū, and whether the RMA should align with the Green Party's Zero Carbon Bill if it passes.....
See full article HERE

Hunia take chair at Te Ohu Kaimoana
Rangimarie Hunia from Ngāti Whātua has been appointed as chair of the Māori Fisheries Settlement Trust Te Ohu Kaimoana- the first wahine in the role.

She says she is committed to advancing Māori interests in the marine environment and ensuring the commitments of the Māori Fisheries Settlement are upheld.

Priorities for iwi include getting amendments passed to the Māori Fisheries Act, finding a resolution to the proposed Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary that would strip Māori of development rights, and ensuring Māori fishing rights are protected in the proposed Threat Management Plan.....
See full article HERE

Ināia Tonu Nei - The Time is Now: Report on Māori perspectives on justice released today
A call for Māori to have a genuine leadership role in creating a future justice system for Aotearoa New Zealand has been made clearly in a report released today.

Spokespeople for the report Tā Mark Solomon and Katie Murray say the report reflects both the sobering reality for Māori at the hands of a colonial justice system, and an overwhelming energy for Māori to lead a new design for the justice system.

“For generations Māori have suffered disproportionate adversity from a justice system that has been imposed on our people,” says Katie Murray.

“The Justice System cannot be reformed without leadership from Te Ao Māori. The Hui Māori called for the Crown to finally share power with Māori and for Māori-led responses to be central to the reformation of the Justice System,” says Tā Mark Solomon.

“Māori have the knowledge, the relationships, the experience and capability to lead reform of the justice system......
See full article HERE

Ngāti Hinerangi works with developers to maintain Māori history
A rural Waikato town is starting a trend, making sure iwi are involved in naming new streets in the area.

Ngāti Hinerangi, which was once an almost extinct Matamata iwi, recently named their first street in Matamata's newly established Peakedale Estate.

Hinerangi Crescent is just one of the many projects the iwi has planned and is encouraging other developers to name streets after significant Māori cultural aspects as well.......
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

24 July 2019

'Racist' pamphlet likely to cause 'serious offence' and must not be distributed
A complaint about a racist pamphlet that is derogatory toward Māori has been partly upheld by the Advertising Standards Authority, which says it must be removed from circulation.

The leaflet, titled One Treaty One Nation, was dropped in letterboxes in the Auckland suburb of Pt Chevalier in April. It called for the Waitangi Tribunal and Māori electorates and wards to be scrapped.

It claimed "the benefits of colonisation for Maoris, lifting them out of a violent Stone Age existence, far outweighed any negative consequences" and called for "an end to the stranglehold that one minority group has over the culture and life of a nation".

The pamphlet also said the "Maori people ceded sovereignty to Queen Victoria in 1840".....
See full article HERE

Maori Language Workshops
Bunnings Warehouse...
See full article HERE

Protesters at Ihumātao served eviction notices
Police are at a disputed housing development in Auckland where an eviction notice has been served against occupiers.

Part of the land, 32 hectares, is zoned as a Special Housing Area and is owned by Fletcher Building.

A group has been occupying the land, near Auckland Airport, in an effort to stop the development going ahead.

Counties Manukau District Commander Superintendent Jill Rogers said a dozen officers were assisting a bailiff to serve an eviction notice.

Kaumātua and Maori wardens were encouraging the unlawful occupants to leave the site.....
See full article HERE

Waikato River rāhui in place from Huka Falls to Atiamuri
People are being asked not to gather food from the upper Waikato River until further notice.

Ngati Tahu – Ngati Whaoa Runanga Trust, supported by Te Arawa River Iwi Trust, has placed a rāhui from Te Waiheke o Huka (Huka Falls) to Pohaturoa (Atiamuri).

A rāhui is a management tool used to restrict use of an area to ensure the principles of kaitiakitanga (stewardship) are upheld and to protect the health and wellbeing of the community.

The action follows wastewater discharges into Lake Taupō following a major sewerage leak on July 2.....
See full article HERE

Select committee report on Parihaka bill backs name protection
If a new bill passes into law, the people of Parihaka will get the means to protect its name from commercial exploitation.

One of the changes the Māori Affairs select committee had recommended regarding the Te Pire Haeata ki Parihaka/Parihaka Reconciliation Bill was a clause to prevent the name of the settlement synonymous with peace from being used in the registration of trademarks, company names or other trade without the authorisation of the Parihaka Papakainga Trust (PPT).

If there was unauthorised, commercial use of the Parihaka name, the trust would have the ability to seek a court order to stop it.......
See full article HERE

Iwi vows to return Ahipara's vandalised pou
The felling of two pou marking Te Rarawa's rāhui at Tauroa Point had been "absolutely gutting" but they will be restored, spokeswomanTui Te Paa says.

In the meantime, the gate had been re-erected at the top of the road leading down to Te Kohanga (Shipwreck Bay) last Friday and would remain closed at all traffic until Sunday.

Te Paa said the closing of the road was a direct response to the felling of the pou, an action that had dismayed Te Rarawa and strained relationships that the iwi worked hard to maintain.....
See full article HERE

Three quarters of harm in state care happens to Māori children: Oranga Tamariki report
More than three quarters of the children harmed over the three months to March in state care were Māori.

Over the three-month period more than 100 children in state care, though some were living with their parents, were harmed sexually, physically, or emotionally, an Oranga Tamariki report found.

​Oranga Tamariki's Safety of Children in Care Unit was established last year to better report on "non-accidental harm" caused to children in care.....
See full article HERE

Second Tainui hotel for Auckland Airport
The Maaori king Tuuheitia Potatau Te Wherowhero VII, and Waikato Tainui elders have blessed the site of the second hotel for the Iwi at Auckland International Airport.

The nine-storey Te Ariki Pullman Hotel will stand alongside the existing Novotel Tainui Auckland Airport Hotel......
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

23 July 2019

Hutt Valley DHB launches ambitious goal for Māori health
Te Pae Amorangi, the DHB’s Māori Health Strategy 2018-2027 has set nine years to achieve health equity for Māori.

Launched at Hutt Hospital in Lower Hutt on July 17, the strategy was developed by the DHB’s Māori health director Kerry Dougall.

“To put the goal in context, the average life expectancy for Māori men and women in the wider Wellington region is about seven years less than non-Māori respectively,” said Kerry.

She wants to lift Māori health outcomes by working in close partnership with Māori communities and encouraging more Māori to take part in the health system.

“It’s also about protecting Māori cultural values. A key focus is on empowering Māori, and creating awareness of the challenges to health equity brought by institutional racism and the effects of colonisation…….
See full article HERE

Formal handover of Marae Feasibility Plans
Rangitīkei District Council has formally handed over Marae Feasibility Plans to Ngāti Hauiti of Rātā Marae as part of Council’s Maori Responsiveness Framework.

“This is a significant step forward for building and strengthening the relationship between Council, iwi and hapū.

Mr Meihana said one of the key goals of the Marae Feasibility Plan is to strengthen the ability of marae to pass on their ancestral knowledge of whaikōrero, karanga and local mātauranga, tikanga and kawa to descendants......
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

21 July 2019

Andrew Little reopens talks with Ngāpuhi on treaty settlement
Treaty Negotiations Minister Andrew Little has re-opened the conversation with Ngāpuhi, in a low-key visit to the north this week.

The minister has met with hapū on both sides of the mandate divide in the past week, to sound them out on any progress towards negotiations.

Mr Little has said it was clear Ngapuhi did not support the earlier proposal for an iwi-wide settlement....
See full article HERE

Only two-thirds of Māori filled out the census
Statistics NZ is under fire after revealing it only collected individual census forms from two-thirds of Māori.

Only 83.3 percent of people filled out individual forms, which Statistics NZ called the "traditional NZ method". But only 68.2 percent of Māori did, down from 2013's response rate of 88.5. Even fewer Pacific Islanders did - 65.1 percent, down from 88.3.....
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

20 July 2019

New Māori Warden funding aimed for the future
Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and Māori Development Minister Hon Nanaia Mahuta have announced $3.75 million in assistance for Māori Wardens to prepare for the future.

“The funding will be used to invest directly in to the development of a new Māori Wardens self-management capability, along with increased training, recruitment and promotion which is a huge step forward for the organisation,” says Nanaia Mahuta.

The roles, functions and powers of the Māori Wardens are provided for in the Māori Community Development Act 1962 which is administered by the Māori Development Minister.

The initial role of the Māori Wardens has broadened and there are now over 900 Māori Warden volunteers across the nation.....
See full article HERE

Māori four times more likely to have children removed: study
The study, which Wilson co-authored, tracked 56,904 children born in 1998 until the end of 2015. It found 42 per cent of Māori children came to the attention of child protective services, compared to one in five Pākeha kids.

A Māori child had a one in 14 chance of being removed from their parents, while for Pākeha children it was one in 50.....
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

19 July 2019

Waikato District Council gives 'in principal' support for Māngai Māori representation
Waikato District Council has given support for Māori representation on council committees, with mayor Allan Sanson saying the move has been "a long time coming".

At a meeting on July 17, the council unanimously voted for 'in principle' support for Māngai Māori (voice of Māori) representatives.

'In principle' support means the council are making a recommendation for the next council - due to local government elections in October, the council can't bind the future council's governance structure now.....
See full article HERE

Iwi keen to own shares in Napier port
Hawkes Bay iwi and hapū are lining up to buy shares in the Port of Napier.

The Hawkes Bay Regional Council hopes to raise up to $234 million from selling 45 percent of the port company, and to use some of the money to build a new wharf.

Collectively the iwi wants 25 percent, but the council does not want any shareholder to have more than 10 percent.
See full article HERE

Time right for reo drive
A south Auckland school principal says the time is right to make te reo Māori compulsory in schools.

He says people complain about the prospect of Māori becoming a compulsory part of the school curriculum, but they were silent when the digital technology curriculum was forced on all schools....
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

18 July 2019

PM puts faith in free trade deals
Economically, New Zealand is entering a dramatic era of unprecedented change, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told the Federated Farmers conference.

Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor urged the primary sector to engage and connect with and better understand Maori. Maori agribusiness will be a big part of NZ’s future, he said.

NZ must better connect with Maori and their aspirations, so appreciating and adopting their values of kaitiakitanga (guardianship and wise utilisation, not preservation) and manaakitanga (sharing goods we have with others), O’Connor said....
See full article HERE

Iwi climate change legal action absurd - Brash
Legal action by an iwi leader against the Government alleging "failure" to protect Maori from climate change is the height of absurdity, Hobson’s Pledge spokesman Don Brash said today.

"In 1840 when the Treaty was signed, nobody had even heard about climate change," Dr Brash said.

To suggest that a treaty made almost 180 years ago, guaranteeing the same political rights to all New Zealanders, also assumed that the Government has some kind of special obligation to Maori in relation to the climate is just silly, he said.....
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

17 July 2019

Iwi leader to sue government for 'failing to protect Maori' from effects of climate change
The Treaty of Waitangi promised that the Government had a duty to actively protect Māori interests. One Iwi leader says that the impending catastrophe of climate change means they have failed to meet that standard.

Mike Smith, chair of the Climate Change Iwi Leaders Group announced on Tuesday that he was suing the Government because "the Crown is failing to protect all New Zealanders, but especially Māori, from catastrophic effects of climate change".

"Māori are particularly vulnerable to climate change, being disproportionately represented amongst the poor, who will be the hardest hit," he said....
See full article HERE

Appeal against $200m Mt Messenger bypass resource consents gets under way
A Taranaki iwi holds the key to the future of the $200m Mt Messenger roading project, the Environment Court has heard.

Appeals against the resource consents required for the massive infrastructure project got under way on Monday in New Plymouth.

Without agreement from the iwi, the court heard the project might not go ahead......
See full article HERE

Napier Port hopes to raise over $200 million on share market to ease congestion
The Hawke's Bay Regional Council is to list a 45 per cent stake of the country's fourth largest port after consultation with rate payers.

Hawke's Bay residents, local iwi and port workers will have first priority to the 90 million available shares.....
See full article HERE

Kelvin Davis breaks from Labour, wants compulsory Te Reo in schools
Māori-Crown Relations Minister Kelvin Davis has gone rogue, breaking rank from Labour and the Prime Minister by saying he wants compulsory Te Reo taught in schools.

The Government's stance is to make te reo Māori universally available in schools but has steered clear of using the word "compulsory"....
See full article HERE

Bilingual signs for Porirua
Porirua City is implementing bilingual signage to reflect our commitment to te reo Māori and the importance of our mana whenua.

A set of guidelines have been developed to shape how the new signs will be implemented. The guidelines are clear that all signs will be consistent, with te reo Māori text first.....
See full article HERE

Māori wardens find role in marae courts
The increase in rangatahi courts and other marae-based judicial activities is creating new opportunities for Māori wardens.

"We've seen an increase of our Māori wardens use on marae courts. Whānau have these commitments, and making sure they turn up in these court cases, so a lot of our wardens are specialised now working alongside our Māori on rangatahi courts and also older area in the courts, those who have been given the opportunity to go to the marae and sort out problems that they're having," Mr Henry says......
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

16 July 2019

Educators sign up for pilot scheme to encourage more te reo in classrooms
The use of te reo in New Zealand classrooms is about to get a lot more common.

Nearly 700 educators will learn or develop their use of te reo Māori through a $12million Government initiative launcher earlier this year, Associate Education Minister Kelvin Davis said on Monday.

The 17-week Te Ahu O Māori programme is part of the Government's plan to integrate te reo into early learning and schools by 2025, he said.

"I'd love to think all classrooms will have te reo Māori funnelled into lessons, entertainment and conversations.".....
See full article HERE

Protest march to Parliament planned over state's uplift of Māori babies
A protest march to Parliament is planned on July 30 to speak out against the practice of babies being taken from mothers by the state.

The rally was agreed at a weekend hui which also called for a Māori-led inquiry into Oranga Tamariki and demanded that "not one more Māori baby be taken".....
See full article HERE

Driver licenses leading jobs and second chance
A Provincial Growth Fund investment to help young ex-offenders get a driver's licence has exceeded expectations in Northland.

Since the Howard League for Penal Reform expanded its driver's licence programme into the region a year ago, 338 people have received licences, more then two thirds of them Māori.

In addition the Department of Corrections has placed 120 of the 338 people into employment.....
See full article HERE

Google Translate can now recognise written te reo Māori and translate it
Google can now recognise written te reo Māori and translate it instantly into more than 100 different languages.

Before, the machine translation service could only translate between English and other languages.

Due to a "major update" to Google Translate which rolls out this week, smartphone users will be able to hold their camera in front of written te reo words and Word Lens will translate them.....
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

15 July 2019

Waikato District Council to consider Māori representation on committees
About a quarter of Waikato District Council's population identifies as Māori, but it has just one Māori councillor.

Those numbers have been captured by the council, who say it's aiming to improve Māori participation in decision-making by introducing a Māori voice on council committees.

At a meeting on July 17, council will consider a proposal to introduce external specialist Māori representatives - also known as Māngai Māori​ (voice of Māori) - on council's principal committees: the Strategy and Finance, Infrastructure and Policy and Regulatory committees.

One representative would be present on each of the three committees and would have full voting and speaking rights, council communications manager Jacob Quinn said.....
See full article HERE

Tekapo or Takapō? One of NZ's world famous lakes could be in for a name change
Takapō, meaning "to leave in haste at night", is the traditional Māori name given to the lake, and many feel it should be reinstated.

In recent years, Ngāi Tahu have been working within the community to build awareness of the correct Māori name, iwi spokesman James Harding said.....
See full article HERE

Historic hui gives overwhelming agreement for Māori Inquiry
The inquiry into state run Oranga Tamariki will be led by whanau, kaimahi and Māori leaders.

Yesterday the largest gathering of Māori leadership since the Foreshore and Seabed debate voted unanimously to hold an Inquiry.

Distinguished academic and Whānau Ora architect, Professor Sir Mason Durie concluded that there was a “strong collective unanimity in all the approaches put forth.” The hui provided a Māori approach to understand the issues and more importantly identify solutions by, for and with Māori.....
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

13 July 2019

Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon 'must address colonial racism'
The new Race Relations Commissioner needs to stop being a politician and start fighting the battle against racial abuse and discrimination, minority advocates say.

Ms O'Connell Rapira said she hoped Mr Foon would stand with Māori politically, and not just culturally.

"Meaning that he may feel comfortable on a marae, he may be able to speak reo Māori, which is really wonderful, but will he also advocate for Māori sovereignty to be realised.....
See full article HERE

Iwi members mount legal challenge to reclaim Shelly Bay from developer
High Court papers have been filed in a bid to return Shelly Bay to its previous iwi owners, who claim it was sold without their permission.

A group of "disenfranchised" iwi members has launched the legal attack on the $500 million Wellington harbourside development, and say a caveat has been placed on any further sale of a parcel of land owned by Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust (PBNST).....
See full article HERE

Absurd plants Treaty clause raises royalties question
The addition of an absurd Treaty of Waitangi clause in the Plant Varieties Act raises the question whether “Maoridom” will claim royalties on new plant varieties, Hobson’s Pledge spokesperson Casey Costello said today.

Every year more than 100 new varieties of plants are registered with the New Zealand Intellectual Property Office.

To suggest that a treaty made almost 180 years ago, guaranteeing the same political rights to all New Zealanders, also enables a property right to unnamed Maori people over a new plant breed is the height of absurdity,....
See full article HERE

Kaingaroa settlement receives $2.4m for redevelopment
A small Māori village in a Bay of Plenty forest is getting $2.4 million in government funding to improve its dilapidated and rundown housing.

The close-knit Kaingaroa settlement - numbering about 435 people - was the sixth and final rōpū, or group, to join the Māori Housing Network Community Development programme run by Te Puni Kōkiri.

The money will go towards urgent housing repairs, upgrading a pool for treating wastewater, and financial planning workshops for whānau.
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

12 July 2019

Cook arrival to Aotearoa event 'encourages awkward conversations', MP says
A $23 million event marking 250 years since Europeans arrived on Māori shores has been labelled "tone-deaf" by indigenous rights activists.

An online petition asking to stop replica Captain James Cook ship Endeavour coming to Aotearoa shores has more than 1800 signatures.

"They came here, they killed our people and claimed our land, and we're still reeling from that."

Māori Crown Relations Minister Kelvin Davis understood the differing reactions to the event ... "We know that the first encounters weren't a fairytale. People died."

Māori stories would have prominence, he said......
See the full article HERE

Mōtītī appeal could open door for Māori resource input
Sally Gepp, the lawyer for Forest and Bird which is supporting the Mōtītī Rōhe Moana Trust, says the case could determine whether Māori have a true say in the way their environment is managed.

"The approach we are advocating for gives Māori a greater voice because they are able to be involved in those regional planning processes and directly influence the outcomes and that may be because of a customary right or because of an interest like that or it may simly be because they have a relationship with an area and say these species are a taonga and we want to protect them," she says.....
See the full article HERE

Horowhenua Health Centre gifted new room names and Tukutuku panel
Custom-designed room signs and a Tukutuku panel are now adorning the corridor of the Maternity Unit at the Horowhenua Health Centre in Levin, thanks to a collaborative project between Unit staff and local iwi.

The six colourful panels each have a name gifted by the Muaūpoko iwi; Te Puna Wai, Te Kaanga, Te Raumati, Te Hatoke and Nga Purapura. The Unit itself was gifted the name Kahangahanga. As well as the new names, each panel contains artwork specially designed by Muaūpoko iwi members.

A large Tukutuku panel was also gifted to the Unit by Te Kokiri Development Consultancy Inc. The panel sits at the entrance to the Maternity Unit, and will be the first thing people see when they come in for care.....
See the full article HERE

Captain James Cook statue vandalised with the words 'thief Pakeha' in Gisborne
A Captain James Cook statue that has been vandalised with the words "This is our land" and "Thief Pakeha" in Gisborne has stirred controversy online.

"Tear it down and put up a statue of our ancestor Paikea and Porourangi," one person wrote.

Another agreed: "Good Job! Put something there significant to the Tangata Whenua.".....
See the full article HERE

One BillionTrees supporting a sustainable future for Mangatu
The One Billion Trees Fund will support a Māori Incorporation in the Gisborne District to move to a more productive and sustainable land-use model, Forestry Minister Shane Jones says.

The Fund will provide $450,000 to Mangatu Blocks Incorporation, which is the guardian of Te Aitanga a Mahaki ancestral lands and manages 48,100 hectares for its 5,500 shareholders. Over half of this land is in pastoral farming.

“Working with Māori to protect and enhance their whenua is an important part of the One Billion Trees Programme and I am encouraging more Māori to come forward to partner with the Government through this initiative,” Shane Jones said.....
See the full article HERE

Crown process too long, costly for customary title of coastlines - claimants
Applicants wanting customary title of their coastlines say the longer the Crown takes the more people will die and not see justice.

In 2017, the Crown received 385 applications seeking engagement and 202 opting to be heard in the High Court under the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act.

However, some applicants are frustrated with the process, the cost and what some call the constant moving of posts to get their claims completed.

Ms Sykes said one solution was for the Crown to fund facilitation so cross claimants could sort their interests out before going to court....
See the 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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

11 July 2019

Local Government NZ embraces Māori view of local
The chair of Local Government New Zealand's Te Maruata Māori sub-committee says the association's new localism drive fits well with a kaupapa Māori approach.

Bonita Bingham says localism is what whānau, hapū and iwi have done forever.

"We don't tell our cousins at the next marae or we don't tell out neighbouring hapū how to manage their affairs so localism for us is the grassroots up model and interestingly that concept has been picked up by LGNZ as a reflection of how this was done for hundreds of years and how this is still done within Māori communities," she says.....
See the full article HERE

Don't ask, just tell Māori history
A leading teacher educator says teachers don't have to ask permission to teach local history and mātauranga Māori in their classrooms.

There is opportunity to do a whole lot more teaching - local history, local waiata, local pūrakau about whānau in the area that would really lift our kids' spirits and opportunities to see themselves in their own education," Dr Irwin says.

Teachers don't need to be put off by the Education Ministry's refusal to make Māori history a core part of the curriculum as many Māori have requested.....
See the full article HERE

Plant Variety Rights Act
How do we propose to make the PVR regime Treaty compliant?
Our recommended package of proposals to achieve Treaty compliance in the PVR Act involves:

* New disclosure requirements: introduce new information disclosure requirements for breeders, requiring them to provide information about the origin of the plant material used to develop their varieties and if applicable, who kaitiaki are, any engagement the breeder has had with kaitiaki, and the breeder’s assessment of whether kaitiaki interests would be affcted by the commercialisation of the new variety;

* New Māori advisory committe: establish a PVR Māori advisory committe, to:
– develop guidelines for breeders and kaitiaki on engagement;
– provide advice to breeders and kaitiaki at the pre-application stage;
– provide advice to the Commissioner of Plant Variety Rights and the Chair of the Māori advisory committe as to whether kaitiaki interests would be adversely affcted by the grant of a PVR and, if so, whether the impact can be mitigated to a reasonable extent such as to allow the grant.

* New decision-making process: empower the Commissioner of Plant Variety Rights, jointly with the Chair of the Māori advisory committe, to decide whether, on the basis of the Māori advisory committe’s advice, the PVR should be granted....
See the PDF HERE

Oranga Tamariki answers lie with Maori
The founder of Whānau Ora wants this weekend's hui on Oranga Tamariki to look not just at oversight of the existing agency but at creating an alternative where Māori do things for themselves.

"Until we have restored to us our right to be autonomous in our own country ....
See the 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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

10 July 2019

Dame Tariana says Māori have ‘lost faith in ourselves as a people’, sees future for new movement
Former Māori Party co-leader Dame Tariana Turia is disheartened by the state of Māori politics, but sees a future for a Māori movement "to give us back our rights and responsibilities to look after ourselves".

"Of course I want autonomy... because it's a right, it's not a privilege. The Treaty of Waitangi never, ever told us that our autonomy would be removed from us. I have a great belief that our people would never treat others as they have treated us."....
See the full article HERE

PHARMAC and Ngā Pou Mana (NPM) are calling for scholarship award nominations
PHARMAC and Ngā Pou Mana (NPM) are calling for scholarship award nominations for Māori kaimahi, students and community members who have had a positive impact on whānau, hapū and iwi.

Dr Teah Carlson, Chairperson of NPM, says “the awards are to support Māori allied health workforce development, so that people can continue study, to grow professional and cultural practice. The awards will provide much needed tautoko and manaaki for Māori kaimahi to continue their ongoing development.”

Dr Teah Carlson says “we recognise that the health workforce is changing with new professional roles such as Whānau Ora, the revitalisation of rongoā Māori practices, and Iwi and kaupapa Māori services.

“We support kaupapa Māori ‘ways of being’ and believe they can transform the health system......
See the full article HERE

Pay pressures put off potential principals
The president of the Principals' Federation says current efforts to train teachers for Māori immersion and Māori in mainstream classes is falling well short of what is needed.

"We're only producing 45 competent fluent te reo Māori teachers every year to teach in our kura kaupapa and level one Māori classes ...
See the full article HERE

Waipara mataitai reserve application, Hurunui, Canterbury
Pursuant to Regulation 17 of the Fisheries (South Island Customary Fishing) Regulations 1999, Te Ngāi Tū Ahuriri Rūnanga Inc. have applied for a mātaitai reserve along the coastline at the Waipara River mouth, Hurunui, Canterbury.
Proposed Waipara mātaitai reserve

A mātaitai reserve is an identified traditional fishing ground and is established for the purpose of customary food gathering.....

(Submissions closed 24/6/19)
See the full article HERE

Justice delayed on reo beatings claim
The Waitangi Tribunal has turned down a request by former Labour cabinet minister Dover Samuels for an early report on his claim over children being punished for speaking te reo Māori at school.

The claim is part of the Te Paparahi o Te Raki inquiry into Northland claims.

He wants a full Crown apology read by the Governor General at Parliament to surviving victims and for this apology to be incorporated in the preamble of the Education Act 1989......
See the 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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

9 July 2019

Specialist Maaori representation planned for WDC committees
Waikato District Council is planning to introduce external specialist Maaori representatives to its principle Council Committees after the October 2019 local government elections.

Chief Executive Gavin Ion said that Council and Iwi were keen to improve the opportunity for Maaori to contribute to Council’s decision-making.

The proposed Maaori representatives would have voting and speaking rights at Committee meetings (i.e. a decision-making role).
See the full article HERE

Sort out water rights says OECD
Sorting out iwi (tribal)/Māori rights to water in order to expand water pricing or permit trading to improve water quality and allocation should be a key environmental priority for the Government says the OECD report on the NZ economy.....
See the full article HERE

Māori education hui kicks off in Ahuriri (Napier)
The hui draws around 200 NZEI Te Riu Roa members from across the education sector.

Throughout the hui, which runs until Tuesday, members will enjoy a range of sessions that will build knowledge and grow confidence.

The hui will honour local whānau for their contributions to Māori education, and will include a Mātaruanga Māori Symposium with keynotes from Mana Liz Hunkin; Mereana Pitman, Ngahiwi Tomoana; and Petera Hakiwai....
See the full article HERE

Northland Māori make push for greater representation in local government
Northland Māori are making a push for greater representation in local government renewing calls for local Māori seats.

Despite having one of the highest Māori population in the country, Northland iwi leaders say the lack of representation in the council means Māori aren’t being heard.

Some say government intervention is necessary and that may include compulsory Māori seats.....
See the full article HERE

Māori loanwords enrich Twitter
"More loanwords are being used, which could indicate acceptance of loanwords and Māori [language] in general in New Zealand society," said lead author David Trye.

A loanword is interesting because the user has chosen to use it instead of the English equivalents. "There is a reason they are using them – an individual's word choice is reflective of their identity and ideology," Trye said in an interview.....
See the full article HERE

Māori realising land aspirations through One Billion Trees
Forestry Minister Shane Jones says the Government’s One Billion Trees programme is providing important Māori to realise the potential of their land in the Bay of Plenty.

“Crown Forestry will invest $5 million into two joint ventures that will see 330 hectares of land converted to productive forests,” Shane Jones said.

“One of the core goals of the One Billion Trees Programme is supporting Māori to realise their land aspirations. This goes right to the heart of that.

“It brings Crown Forestry’s investment in the Bay of Plenty to $6.3 million and takes the total number of joint ventures in New Zealand to 25, totalling over 15, 000 hectares,” Shane Jones said.....
See the full article HERE

Mayor says iwi need more power
The head of Local Government New Zealand is blaming the country's colonial history for an over-centralisation of power.

Localism is about giving decision making power back to individuals, communities, iwi, neighbourhoods, districts and regions.....
See the 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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

7 July 2019

Significant landmark for one of country’s biggest national parks
A large pou whenua has been unveiled in Kahurangi National Park at a blessing ceremony today.

Pou whenua, or land posts, are used to mark territorial boundaries and areas of significance to tangata whenua.

The review follows the addition of 64,400 hectares of land to Kahurangi from the Mokihinui River catchment area in March 2019.

“The review is a necessary step in addressing our cultural rights and interests and acknowledges the addition of land to Kahurangi National Park. The pou itself represents recognition that partnership is the way forward in terms of our relationship with The Crown and the ongoing work we’re doing together.”.....
See the full article HERE

Plans for boardwalk through ancient pōhutukawa trees on Auckland's North Shore polarising community, iwi
Plans for a boardwalk through ancient pōhutukawa trees on Auckland's North Shore are polarising the community and iwi.

Auckland Council is considering two options for a boardwalk at the northern end of Takapuna beach, with one option for it to go through the sacred pōhutukawa grove and the other stopping access and removing existing infrastructure.

The council has consulted with seven iwi, who want to block off the grove to the public.

Iwi want the boardwalk completely removed, rubbish bins taken out, and for seeds to be collected to safeguard against myrtle rust.....
See the full article HERE

Kauri tree planting celebrates completion of bridges
Mr Mutton acknowledged the contribution of local iwi, Te Uri o Hau, throughout the project.

“They prepared the Cultural Impacts Assessment and have been involved in the development of our archaeological management plan, landscape design and ongoing monitoring of key construction activities. They’ve also worked with the project team during the development of the Wahi Taonga Area (area developed along the walking and cycling shared path for the Pou and midden relocation).”

Te Uri o Hau also named the two new two lane bridges that replaced the old one lane bridges.

Piringatahi – which means “bringing together as one” – opened to traffic in April 2019. The bridge is 191 metres long and stands 15 metres above the Matakohe River. It replaces the old one-lane Hardies Bridge.

The second bridge, Te Ao Marama Hou, which effectively translates to “moving from the past into the future” spans Parerau Stream and replaces Anderson Bridge. It is 54.8m in length and opened to traffic in February.....
See the full article HERE

Victoria University of Wellington changing its name all but officially
Victoria University of Wellington has confirmed it is in the midst of a "rebrand" which would include a change to the Māori name, the logo, signage, sub-brands and the URL of the University's website.

Minister of Education Chris Hipkins said the university's approach to branding was "largely its own business".

"I have made clear previously my support for a change to the university's Māori name, and broader efforts to enhance its international reputation

The leaked information indicated a new logo, including the new Māori name – Te Herenga Waka, would be in place by the start of next year.

"Where appropriate, the first mention would use the university's full name – Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington.....
See the full article HERE

Ninety Mile Beach could see car donut ban imposed for safety and to protect environment
A management plan being written for Northland's Te Oneroa-Ā-Tōhe/Ninety Mile Beach would look to ban cars "doing donuts" and other anti-social driving on the beach.

Te Oneroa-Ā-Tōhe Board chair Haami Piripi, from Te Rarawa iwi, said the plan was about bringing order to the beach.

The iwi has the same powers as local government so any agreed ban could be policed in the same way bylaws are.....
See the 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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

6 July 2019

Govt funding for Treaty inquiry welcome by wāhine Māori 
A lawyer representing claimants in the Waitangi Tribunal Mana Wāhine inquiry says government funding to progress it shows a willingness to find a solution to address the compounding disparity experienced by wāhine at the hands of the Crown.

Minister for Women Julie Anne Genter has announced $6.2 million to hire a specialist team to work alongside Te Puni Kōkiri and coordinate a government response and participation in the inquiry.

Statistics confirm that wāhine Māori continue to have poorer social, economic, educational, employment, and health outcomes, compared to Pākehā women.....
See the full article HERE

A Familiar Face In Kiwi Neighbourhoods Gets A Big Makeover
Neighbourhood Support New Zealand is bringing a fresh look to a street near you with the launch of a new logo.

The updated logo also features a koru pattern which reflects the important place of taha Maori in Aotearoa New Zealand.....
See the full article HERE

Rāhui placed on Lake Taupō after sewage spill
A rāhui is being placed on parts of Lake Taupō and the upper Waikato River following the massive sewage spill earlier this week.

The Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board is imposing the rāhui from 9am, to stay in place until it's deemed appropriate to lift it.

The rāhui also restricts public access to the immediate location of the incident....
See the full article HERE

Whānau ora better positioned for at risk children
A south Taranaki iwi leader says Oranga Tamariki needs to get out of the way and hand the care and protection of tamariki Māori to whānau ora.

"Our whānau ora navigators, our whānau ora framework, is better positioned to be inside with our whānau who need more tautoko, not judging, tautoko. In order to do that we need to resource them, we need to acknowledge that they are better positioned than often the social workers that come out of the crown. So there are some obvious, easy things that could happen and the only thing in the way is the crown, that they still have this patriarchal attitude where they believe they know best for us as Māori,".....
See the full article HERE

Iwi manaaki needed for successful Matatini
The organisation is working with Auckland Council, which has delegated senior Māori executive Amokura Panoho to oversee its side of the operation.

Mr Ross says it's also counting on tribal support, such as gifts of kai to the Wellington event this year.

"We had our iwi from Wharekauri, the Chatham Islands, come together and provide half a tonne of crayfish, 1000 paua, 200kg of kina, to be able to support out kaumātua and kuia....
See the 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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

5 July 2019

Hauora claim reveals treaty principles
A long time advocate for better Māori health services is describing the Waitangi Tribunal's Hauora Report as brave and out there.

He says even more critically for the next stages of this claim and others, the report identifies three new treaty principles.

"Tino Rangatiratanga as a formal Treaty of Waitangi principle; the principle of equity - we have read that in Article 3 in the past but he wanted to get out there and state it; and the principle of options. Māori have a right to partake in mainstream services and get good service, culturally competent service from mainstream services as well as the right to expect they can if they wish to go to kaupapa Māori services that are appropriately set up and funded," Dr Tipene-Leach says.....
See the full article HERE

Percentage of Māori in court rises as numbers drop
A lawyer and justice reform advocate says an initiative to keep young people out of the criminal justice system hasn't worked for Māori as well as it should.

.....changes in the way police deal with young offenders has led to a reduction in the number of young people who are prosecuted and convicted, including Māori.

But the proportion of those who are prosecuted being Māori has increased from 40 percent to 60 percent since 2016.

But they are taking steps on an existing structure that wasn't created by Māori, doesn't work for Māori and hurts Māori a lot." Ms Whaipooti says.

That's why there is a continuing call from Māori to be able to create their own system to do things their own way, and they want to resources to do that.....
See the full article HERE

'It's a cemetery not a playground': Mother is slammed for being 'disrespectful' after she was spotted eating lunch at a graveyard
The New Zealand woman was walking home with her toddler when she decided to grab a bite to eat, but after realising there were no parks nearby she opted to eat in a cemetery.

But when leaving the graveyard, the woman was approached by one of its workers who scalded her for being 'disrespectful'.

'It's a bit disrespectful, don't you think? It's a f**king cemetery not a playground,' he snapped back.

'Does he have a point? It wasn't a Māori graveyard or anything,' she asked.....
See the full article HERE

Racist concept of family driving uplifts
A group representing Māori psychologists has written an open letter calling for Children's Minister Tracey Martin to embed whānau ora principles into the way Oranga Tamariki works.

"When you've got nearly 70 percent of the children in this country being removed being Māori, it says to us we have a racist system and we have a system and a society that is imposing racist paradigms over the way whānau is conceptualised in Aotearoa," Dr Cribb-Su'a says.....
See the full article HERE

Boost for marae at the centre of communities
Marae around the country will benefit from boosted initiatives to upgrade their buildings, bolster their emergency kits and expand their work to preserve Māori culture, Minister for Māori Development Nanaia Mahuta said.

The Government has invested an extra $12 million over four years to expand the Oranga Marae programme, as it supports whānau-led development of marae.

The investment will:

* Expand the existing Oranga Marae programme for marae development

* Provide additional support for marae to be prepared for disaster and other emergency responses

* Provide support for marae environmental responses such as zero waste goals

“Marae are centres of Māori identity, language, traditional knowledge and whānau wellbeing,” Nanaia Mahuta said......
See the 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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

4 July 2019

Kōrero about the future of Māori education
Some of the main points made at these wānanga included:

* Māori want tino rangatiratanga – agency and authority – over the education of Māori learners. This means there needs to be a genuine partnership approach across the education system, with leaders who believe in Māori and understand te ao Māori.

* Racism and bias continue to impact Māori learner confidence, achievement, and outcomes.

* A sense of belonging is crucial for Māori to succeed as Māori. Teaching and learning need to better reflect and foster Māori identity, culture and values in all their diversity.

* We need to engage Māori learners in the context of their whānau.

* We need to work towards a bilingual New Zealand. This requires the revitalisation and normalisation of te reo Māori.

* Education to support the holistic wellbeing of ākonga and their whānau with physically, culturally, emotionally, and spiritually safe environments

* Māori thrive in Māori Medium Education settings. Access to Māori medium pathways across sectors needs to be improved

* A workforce that is representative of and responsive to Māori. Māori staff need better support and recognition. More Māori teachers and professionals are needed, particularly in te reo Māori, learning support and social services.....
See the full article HERE

Sea Change: Government steps up process to save 'desperate' state of Hauraki Gulf as snapper, crayfish stocks in peril
Today the Government unveiled its Ministerial Advisory Committee to work over the next 12 months to help shape its response to the various proposals.

The nine-person committee included members with expertise in commercial and Māori fishing - including four mana whenua, fisheries management, environment, law and marine science.

It would be co-chaired under a co-governance model by Catherine Harland and Paul Majurey.

The Ministerial Advisory Committee includes Catherine Harland (Co-Chair), Paul Majurey (Mana Whenua Co-Chair), Volker Kuntzsch, Dr Jeremy Helson, Raewyn Peart, Dr John Montgomery, Tame Te Rangi, Dr Valmaine Toki and Liane Ngamane.....
See the full article HERE

Hauora report captures mood for change
The head of a Māori health workforce development organisation believes the Waitangi Tribunal's stage one report into the Māori healthcare claim will find fertile ground.

The tribunal found extensive breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi in the way the health reforms of the past 20 years had failed to shift the dial on Māori health inequity.

"In fact it's not just health, it's also across the other major systems that many of our whānau are having trouble in, in education, justice, and we're asking for similar things - independence and autonomy and the ability to self-determine, to make the decisions and also to fund what we know is constitutionally right for Māori to have a better life, better wellbeing in its broadest sense. We're at a time when the government can't shut it down and I don't know if they would,".....
See the full article HERE

Māori Development Ministry, Te Puni Kōkiri, accused of failing Māori and breaching Treaty
The tribunal found Te Puni Kōkiri failed to use its statutory duty to monitor the health sector on behalf of Māori and breached two Treaty principles of active protection and the duty of good governance.

"We put our faith and trust in the organisation to protect our interests and to value Māori lives especially in health. If it's failed, then it's not good enough."

Wall said the tribunal's findings put the Crown on notice that it could no longer just talk about improving the social position of Māori, it had to take real action.....
See the full article HERE

Open letter: Oranga Tamariki social workers in 'terrible, almost untenable position
We don't remove children because we are targeting Māori or the poor; we remove children because they are being seriously harmed or in serious danger of being harmed.

Kids can't be taken into care on the whim of a social worker. There are assessments, investigations, case consults, whanau consultation, and, if the child is still not safe, a detailed sworn affidavit, a court-ordered custody order and the managed removal of a child.

Oranga Tamariki social workers are social workers for children and young people, not for their parents. We are required by law to put the child's wellbeing first.

Every "uplift" is followed by a court plan. In most cases, parents are given clear goals, and the time and the resources to make the necessary changes, if that's what they want. I'm afraid that the reality is some parents are not willing or able to take the steps needed to offer a safe home for their child.....
See the 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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

3 July 2019

Call for calm after allegations of 'Hapu Hoodlums' in Ōpōtiki
Iwi leaders have called for calm in the wake of allegations of standover tactics in Ōpōtiki to take money from beekeepers and gravel contractors.

Chair of Ngai Tamahaua Hapu Peter Selwyn said they were "concerned and dismayed" by allegations of sabotage of contractors' equipment.

"We alerted authorities earlier this year to a problem, but we took preventive legal action to suppress that possibility on the Otara," Selwyn said.

"It's been going on for some years and a person of interest has been doing it for even longer."....
See full article HERE

Crown Admits Institutional Racism Exists in Health System
Crown witnesses acknowledged under cross-examination that institutional racism exists and is unaceptable in the Health system. “This, along with personal racism and stereotying, is a signifiacnt barrier to giving effect the the meaning of the Treaty and its principles” the report reads.

The Tribunal has also recommended that the Crown conduct an urgent and thorough review of funding for primary health care, to better align it with the aim of achieveing equitable health outcomes for Maori.....
See full article HERE

Talks underway to secure future funding for iwi community panels
Talks are underway to secure funding for an initiative which aims to cut Māori offending rates.

Te Pae Oranga, or iwi community panels, have been running at selected sites across New Zealand since December 2017 but the funding for it ceases at the end of the month.

In a written statement, a police media spokesperson confirmed the agency was allocated money over two years, as part of the 2017 Budget, to test the effectiveness of the panels.

There are currently 15 panels in operation nationwide, including in Christchurch, South Auckland, Wairarapa, Northland, Rotorua, Gisborne and Lower Hutt.

Talks were also underway to get long-term funding for the panels currently in operation and also money which would allow for the expansion of the programme as part of the Budget 2020 process.
See full article HERE

Big changes for Oranga Tamariki come into effect
Oranga Tamariki is set to see the biggest shake-up since its inception in 2017, as The Children, Young Persons, and Their Families Legislation Act comes into full force today.

Under the law, the ministry must provide a practical commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi and offer support to young adults leaving state care until their 25th birthday.

One of the most significant changes coming into force today is that Oranga Tamariki must provide a practical commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi.

It's the first time in New Zealand's history that the Treaty has been mentioned in legislation relating to children......
See full article HERE

New Te Māngai Paho funding aimed at rangatahi - Mahuta
The Minister for Māori Development, the Hon Nanaia Mahuta this evening announced funding that will allow Te Māngai Pāho to commission new and innovative digital media content.

This new media material will be for te reo Māori broadcasts and on line platforms in a partnership with the wider Māori media sector. The new funding will help to broaden te reo Māori content for learners at all levels.

"The $14 million that we will invest in Te Māngai Pāho will support our implementation of the Maihi Karauna and our goal of achieving a million people speaking basic te reo by 2040.....
See full article HERE

Call for street names honouring colonial officers who led attacks on Māori to be changed - 'We’re surrounded by terrorists'
Parts of New Zealand are seeing pushes to remove the names of historical colonial leaders from towns and street names.

Street names around the country commemorate colonial officers, settlers on Māori land and volunteer militia.

In Southern Taranaki, Potanga Neilson of Ngai te Rangi says he is reminded daily of the assault on his iwi.

"As far as I’m concerned, we’re surrounded by terrorists, their names are memorialised on all of our towns and streets."...
See full article HERE

Māori high flyers added to Teaching Council
High flying Taranaki school principal Nicola Ngarewa has been appointed to chair the new board of the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand.

The council, which has a mix of elected and appointed members, replaced the ministerially-appointed Teaching Council.

Education Minister Chris Hipkins says the elected and appointed members together have a wealth of education experience, including in Māori medium education......
See full article HERE

Changes to the State Sector Act 1988
Te Ao Tūmatanui - Strengthening the Māori /Crown relationship

The changes will support:

* engagement, participation of and partnership with Māori

* delivering services that are responsive, accessible and work for Māori and whānau

* improving workforce composition and capability

* collective responsibility for a culturally competent Public Service that delivers with and for Māori

* Māori are supported in leadership and decision-making roles

* recognising the responsibility of the Public Service – including Crown Agents – to enable/support the Crown to fulfil its responsibilities under the Treaty.....
See full article HERE
PDF Factsheet on the above 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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

2 July 2019

Waitangi Tribunal says Crown has breached Treaty of Waitangi by failing to close gap between Māori and non-Māori health
The Crown has been told to set up a stand-alone Maori health agency and consider compensation for failing to improve Maori health over the last 20 years.

The Waitangi Tribunal said in a report released today that the Crown had breached the Treaty of Waitangi by failing to set up and run the primary health system in a way that reduced the gap between Maori and non-Maori health outcomes.

The tribunal - which investigates any Government actions or laws which could break Treaty promises - made two key recommendations. It said the Crown should consider the establishment of a Māori primary health authority which would control and monitor Māori health-related spending and policy, and also consider compensation for underfunding of Māori health providers over the last 20 years.....
See full article HERE

Māori Dames and Sirs take aim at Oranga Tamariki
Highly respected Māori leaders have joined social provider Whānau Ora to announce an investigation into Oranga Tamariki.

From Monday, new legislation forces the Ministry to partner up with iwi and Māori organisations while committing to the Treaty of Waitangi and devolving resources.

So far Oranga Tamariki has managed to partner up with three iwi, including Ngāpuhi, Waikato and Ngāi Tahu. When asked if progress was fast enough, Minister for Oranga Tamariki Tracey Martin said they could always do better.

Whānau Ora’s Chair Merepeka Raukawa-Tait has said Oranga Tamariki operates with a lack of tikanga knowledge. She added they operate in a way seen to be targeting young Māori mothers in particular.....
See full article HERE

Gap between Māori and non-Māori youth arrests continues to grow
New figures show the gap between rangatahi Māori and non-Māori being arrested continues to widen.

The statistics show the total number of youth arrests has fallen, however Māori under 18 year olds now make up a larger proportion of those taken into police custody.

In 2018, of the more than 11,000 young people arrested, more than 66 percent were Māori.

In 2011 it was just under 40 percent.

Justice advisor Julia Whaipooti said it meant the system changes were not working for Māori......
See full article HERE

Mahitahi takes fresh look at health in Te Taitokerau
A new primary healthcare organisation is set to change the way healthcare is delivered in the north.

It launched on Friday at the Treaty Grounds at Waitangi signalled its intention to give practical effect to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

That includes partnerships within the health system and outside.

Mahitahi Hauora will start with about 80 direct employees and allocate $62 million a year to 42 practices.....
See full article HERE

Māori culture thrives at CHS
A group of students were working to promote Māori culture at Cambridge High School last week. Te Wiki o tea o Māori was a week-long celebration of te reo and Māori culture organised by the Year 12 and 13 student committee Te Hunga Tai Kākā, which ran activities and events each day at lunch time.

“This event ties in with Matariki, but throughout the year we’re working to promote Māori culture within the school, with both junior and senior students, we’re getting everyone involved,” student organiser Sirtori Eade explained.......
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

30 June  2019

Napier Port to give workers interest-free loans to participate in share float
The 265 Napier Port workers are being offered interest-free loans of up to $5000 each to buy shares in a special allocation reserved for them, port chief executive Todd Dawson said.

Iwi entities also eligible for a preferential allocation offer include Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated, the four Taiwhenua of Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated, and each tangata whenua appointer as defined

in the Hawke's Bay Regional Planning Committee Act 2015.....
See full article HERE

Second Chance for a Revolutions
Converting the new Act into practice
We have the opportunity now to seize this second chance and ensure the vision’s revolutionary approach makes the difference for Mokopuna Māori who need support that we believe it can. Our country has a more mature understanding of the significance for our life of Te Tiriti o Waitangi than it had 30 years ago. It is more open to understanding what genuine partnership with iwi can mean.

Two elements within the Act will be critical to its success in practice.

1. The Three Pou
In keeping with this maturing understanding, the new Act focuses on key principles and concepts reflective of a Te Aō Māori world view. These principles are universalised and made applicable to all children within the Act’s scope. These so-called ‘pou’ or central ridge poles (defined in the Act) are:
* mana tamaiti
* whakapapa
* whānaungatanga
They are referred to frequently in the Purposes and Principles section of the Act.

2. 7AA
Section 7AA of the new Act also places some specific requirements on the Chief Executive of Oranga Tamariki, requirements that put teeth into the Act, teeth that are intended to ensure the errors of the past are not repeated. The Chief Executive is, among other things, to:

* recognise and provide a practical commitment to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi
* develop policies and practices to reduce Māori disparity by setting measurable outcomes for Māori children and young people, policies and practices that are to have regard to mana tamaiti (tamariki), whakapapa and whānaungatanga
* develop strategic partnership with iwi and Māori organisations to encourage innovation and improve outcomes for Māori children, providing opportunities to delegate functions to iwi.....
See full article HERE

Treaty commitment tool online
A new website has been set up to record commitments made as part of treaty settlements.

There are over 70 Treaty settlements to date, but until now there has been no single place to access the commitments arising from them.

Commitment holders seeking to register for access to Te Haeata can visit www.tehaeata.govt.nz or email: tehaeata@tearawhiti.govt.nz
See full article HERE

Ngāi Tahu, Waikato-Tainui relativity adjustments
Adjustment payments have been made to Waikato-Tainui and Ngāi Tahu under the Relativity Mechanisms in their Treaty settlements, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Andrew Little announced today.

Waikato-Tainui and Ngāi Tahu have each received payments of $1.2 million to ensure the value of their individual settlements maintain their relative size compared with the total value of all Treaty of Waitangi settlements to date.....
See full article HERE

Scientists and iwi work together to give new plant species a te reo Māori name
A new species of alpine cress, discovered on the south-westerns slopes of Mt Ruapehu, has been given a species name derived from te reo Māori in full consultation with one of the local iwi, Ngāti Rangi.

The name of the white flowered cress -- Cardamine panatōhea -- was gifted by Ngāti Rangi, who are mana whenua over the portion of Mt Ruapehu where the species was found.....
See full article HERE

Fairer tax measures pass into law - Nash
"As well as these significant initiatives, the new law will enshrine the right of taxpayers to keep their tax records in te reo Maori.

"Inland Revenue has allowed taxpayers to keep records in te reo Māori for more than 20 years but this has never been enshrined as standard practice through legislation. The right to use te reo Māori should be officially recognised in the law rather than at the discretion of a Government department.....
See full article HERE

Three ways to promote positive outcomes for Māori in English-medium education
1 – Include waiata (Māori song) and collective singing as part of your classroom / or school each and everyday.

2 – Discuss openly what’s often left unsaid in regard to social class and the profound effect colonialism has had on the development of Aotearoa.

3 – When looking at your Māori learners, stop measuring success of a learner only by academic scores or NCEA results.....
See full article HERE

Cheap as chips: Hawke's Bay seafood company offers 15pc discount on fish and chips for iwi members
A Hawke's Bay seafood company's 15 per cent discount for iwi has attracted controversy with some customers claiming a race-based discount is unfair.

Ngati Kahungunu says it is saddened by the reaction, and is offering the discount because Takitimu Seafoods was owned by iwi and all its 32,000 members had a shared stake in the company.

Takitimu Seafoods - the former Hawke's Bay Seafoods purchased by Ngati Kahungunu iwi and rebranded earlier this year - has started advertising the discount in its popular Hastings and Napier stores......
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

29 June  2019

Māori and the Transport Agency
The Transport Agency recognises and respects Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi) and will work with Māori as partners to build strong, meaningful and enduring relationships to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.

The Transport Agency is responsible for delivering an integrated transport system.

We have an important role to play in finding opportunities to better respond to Māori aspirations while delivering transport solutions. We can contribute by working with Māori and other government agencies to support Māori to achieve their aspirations.

We invest time and effort that reflects the importance of this partnership. Both Treaty partners benefit from working closely together, focusing on long-term outcomes and building strong and enduring relationships......
See full article HERE

Māori recidivism: Whānau to take greater role in government initiative
A $98 million plan to tackle high rates of Māori recidivism will involve whānau in rehabilitation strategies, not just prisoners themselves.

The Māori Pathways programme will initially to be rolled out in Hawke's Bay and Northland and focus on Māori men under 30 serving terms of between two and five years - as they have the highest rates of reoffending.

It aims to provide a wrap-around service including trauma and mental health care, housing support for those leaving prison and greater engagement with whānau and iwi from pre-sentence through to release.

More than half New Zealand's prison population are Māori but the government hopes to reduce that number in the next 15 years.....
See full article HERE

Council welcomes Government crackdown on State Sector Act
The New Zealand Maori Council has welcomed a restructure of the public service with the Executive Director, Matthew Tukaki, calling this the first step towards greater engagement with Maori, Iwi and Hapu:

Last year we made it clear that having only a few Maori on the Boards of State Owned Enterprises was not a partnership mentality nor was the fact few Maori were in the executive ranks of the public service." Tukaki said....
See full article HERE

Whānau a Apanui rushes towards signing
A Te Whānau a Apanui elder says the crown is trying to rush the iwi into signing an agreement in principle to settle its historic treaty claims.

Tuariki Delamere says last week negotiators were sent a 98-page settlement agreement and asked for a response within three days so Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Andrew Little could come up this Friday to sign it.....
See full article HERE

More on the above here > A member of Te Whānau a Apanui's hapū chairs group says hapū have had 15 months to become familiar with the various elements in a proposed settlement agreement.  

Faafoi seeks enduring iwi framework from 5G spectrum talks
Communications Minister Kris Faafoi wants a framework for iwi radio spectrum allocations that will endure beyond the current discussions over 5G technology.

The minister said he's had positive conversations over Treaty of Waitangi issues and doesn't think they will slow the spectrum allocation process.

Iwi are "of the mind that previous engagement with other spectrum allocations have been sub-optimal," Faafoi told Parliament's economic development, science and innovation select committee today.

"I'm trying to investigate ways we can put a framework around these types of issues so we don't have to reinvent the wheel every time we come to spectrum allocation."

The New Zealand Maori Council has urged a slower response, given iwi missed out on a special allocation in the 4G auction in 2013 and instead received a $30 million development fund to help Maori benefit from new technology.....
See full article HERE

Waitangi Treaty Grounds named as New Zealand’s first National Historic Landmark
Te Pitowhenua Waitangi Treaty Grounds has been named the country’s first National Historic Landmark.

Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Grant Robertson made the announcement at Waitangi today.

The National Historic Landmarks programme was introduced by the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014.

The programme identifies geographical areas of national significance – the first to be named is the Waitangi Treaty Grounds......
See full article HERE

Treaty of Waitangi proclamation of sovereignty sold at auction for $30,000
A rare document believed to be the only remaining printed proof copy of Governor William Hobson's original Treaty of Waitangi proclamation of sovereignty has sold at auction for $30,000.

The single-page artefact was sold to a private collector at the Auckland auction house Art+Object today.....
See full article HERE

Big changes for primary healthcare in Northland
The new entity will combine all primary health (non-hospital) services under one banner, Mahitahi Hauora, by replacing the Far North's Te Tai Tokerau PHO and Whangārei's Manaia Health PHO.

The merger will also come with a renewed commitment by GPs, Māori health providers, iwi and the Northland District Health Board to work together.....
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

27 June  2019

Treaty of Waitangi boosted in state sector overhaul
Minister of State Services Chris Hipkins has announced the most significant changes to the New Zealand Public Service since the State Sector Act of 1988 - including greater recognition of the Treaty of Waitangi.

Under the changes, boards, made up of chief executives from relevant government agencies, will be established to tackle the most pressing issues.

These boards, or joint ventures, would be accountable to a single minister and receive direct budget appropriations, with public servants from across the system deployed as required.....
See full article HERE

Euthanasia bill deemed unsafe and at odds with Māori
Whanganui MP Harete Hipango says David Seymour's End of Life Choice Bill is unsafe and will make society's most vulnerable even more vulnerable.

Ms Hipango says she will be driven by the values she has been shaped by from te ao Māori, her faith-based background and her legal background......
See full article HERE

Procurement plan pathway to jobs for young Māori
Auckland Council is keen to ramp up its use of social procurement.

That's when it requires its contractors to subcontract parts of the work to Māori or Pasifika enterprises, or to take on a local workforce, particularly rangatahi.

It's a concept that is a major part of indigenous development strategies in other countries including across the Tasman, but New Zealand has been slow to adopt it.

Mayor Phil Goff says it's working on projects like the new Eastern Busway linking Panmure with Pakuranga.

"There'll be 30 young Māori and Pacific Island people who were out of work before, that we may have given some pre-employment training to, and they will be taken on, many of them as apprentices to develop the skills they need for the future so we are saying to our companies don't just look overseas when you are short of labour, look at giving our young people a chance to get those skills and make a better life for themselves," he says......
See full article HERE

Auckland Council supports marae and papakāinga development
Last week the council’s Community Development and Safety committee approved the allocation of funding from the 2019/2020 Cultural Initiatives Fund; a fund for marae and papakāinga/Māori housing development in Tāmaki Makaurau.

Councillor Cathy Casey, chair of the committee, says that marae development and papakāinga development are priority outcomes for Māori in the Auckland Plan and in the council’s Long Term Plan.

To date, 26 marae and six papakāinga have successfully applied to the fund since it was started in 2013. Nearly half of these successful applicants have received funding more than once, helping to significantly progress projects requiring a staged approach.

The following nine applicants received funding totalling $1,212,800. The applications in this round support marae and papakāinga planning and design, professional fees, capital infrastructure, marae maintenance and repair, business planning and asset management.....
See full article HERE

New research projects and programmes
Professor Janet Hoek, University of Otago
Whakahā o Te Pā Harakeke
60 months, $4,949,736

Professor Helen Moewaka Barnes, Massey University
Tangata Whenua Tangata Ora: Investigating health gain through whenua initiatives
60 months, $4,999,332

Dr Anne-Marie Jackson, University of Otago
Tangaroa Ara Rau: Māori water safety programme for whānau
36 months, $1,192,263

Mrs Bernadette Jones, University of Otago
Te Ao Mārama: Disability perspectives of tāngata whaikaha Māori
36 months, $1,186,338

Dr Emma Wyeth, University of Otago
POIS-10 Māori: Outcomes and experiences in the decade following injury
36 months, $1,191,067....
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

26 June  2019

New Zealand's longest place name among many officially changed to add macrons
New Zealand's longest place name is among hundreds of towns, suburbs, and features which have had their names edited or introduced by the New Zealand Geographic Board to officially recognise the use of macrons.

Other names also being officially changed to recognise macrons include Taupō​, Tūrangi​, Ōwhiro Bay, Kaikōura Bay and Whangārei​.

Meanwhile 824 other Māori place names which have been in common usage for years, but never officially recognised, have been added by the Board.

The new names include Māngere​, Manukau, Mount Maunganui, Ōpōtiki​, Ōtaki​, Whakatāne​ and Lake Wānaka​.

Three hundred and seven of the new names are spelled with macrons.....
See full article HERE

‘Huge lack of Māori staff at Oranga Tamariki’ - NZ Māori Council
New Zealand Māori Council chairman Matthew Tukaki says, “There's a huge lack of Māori staff within Oranga Tamariki and I would argue at every level of Oranga Tamariki. Keep in mind that if 70 percent of all children in state care are Māori then 70 percent of all employees of Oranga Tamariki should, in theory, be Māori.”

Deputy Chief Executive Services for Children and Families Glynis Sandland says Māori representation at all levels of Oranga Tamariki is hugely important for the organisation.

"About a third of our senior leadership team are Māori and just over 20 percent of staff who hold senior roles identify as Māori. We’re working hard to grow this ratio across the entire organisation with a particular focus on the positions that have the greatest interaction with tamariki and their whānau.".....
See full article HERE

Maori and Pasifika need better financial services
Maori and Pasifika communities are falling behind and financial services providers in New Zealand need to do more to help, a new report says.

The report on people's perceptions of their wealth was published this week by the investment, savings and KiwiSaver provider, Kiwi Wealth.

It found that a third of Maori and Pasifika people in New Zealand felt they were financially worse off than they were a year ago, and 40 percent said they were struggling to live week to week.....
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

25 June  2019

Reaching 1 million te reo Māori speakers in Aotearoa
The Government has an aspiration that basic te reo Māori will be spoken by a million people in Aotearoa by 2040. Nearly $10 million in the Wellbeing Budget will fund Te Taura Whiri i Te Reo Māori, the Māori Language Commission, and support an increase in certification for te reo Māori teachers. A further $6 million will be invested in the Kāhui model run by Te Mātāwai to support the Maihi Māori programme in the wider Māori community.

A further $14 million is being invested over the next two years to support Te Māngai Pāho to fund more te reo Māori and Māori-focussed content for broadcasting across the motu, in a bid to further public use, support and exposure to te reo Māori.

However, there are a number of challenges we must collectively address if we are to meet this ambitious goal, as a country. A key challenge will be ensuring the participation of adults in both public and community institutions across the country......
See full article HERE

Key to saving Hauraki Gulf: Let's try traditional Māori fishing practices
Traditional Māori fishing practices are being touted as one of the "keys" to rejuvenating marine life in the heavily-degraded Hauraki Gulf.

Richelle Kahui-McConnell, who was involved in developing the Sea Change marine spatial plan, said voluntary methods of protection - as used by Māori for generations - based around experience and education were more effective than strict laws.

"When you set limits, and sizes, people will take up to those limits, whether they need it or not,"....
See full article HERE

Treaty of Waitangi proclamation of sovereignty to be auctioned
What's believed to be the only copy of Governor William Hobson's original Treaty of Waitangi proclamation of sovereignty - is set to be auctioned and may fetch up to $20,000......
See full article HERE

Pukekawa karakia ushers Auckland matariki
Auckland Matariki celebrations have opened with this year's hosts Waikato Tainui highlighting its connection to the city.

About 200 people including King Tuheitia and Auckland mayor Phil Goff gathered in the Auckland Domain for dawn karakia at Pukekawa, the small hill where Potatau Te Wherowhero had a cottage before he became the first Māori king.

That's why King Tawhiao, in the depths of war and raupatu, compared himself to a star who would rise again.....
See full article HERE

Marae projects get funding boost
A $150,000 Auckland Council grant has moved Papakura Marae’s kaumātua housing plans a step closer to completion.

Manurewa-Papakura Councillor Daniel Newman says the Community Development and Safety Committee’s Cultural Initiatives Fund grant continues the marae’s excellent work.

Papakura Local Board has approved six units at the marae, and last year the Government pledged $1 million to the project.

The fund supports marae and Māori housing across the city, with nine applications worth $1.2m funded for planning, regulatory and development costs.....
See full article HERE

Options are sought as Pharmac fails Māori
The New Zealand Māori Council is looking at what it would take to negotiate better deals for drugs if Pharmac isn't willing to do the job.

He says the WAI 2575 Claim on access to healthcare could open the door to identifying and consolidating demand, which could form the basis for negotiating with pharmaceutical companies.

I know this sounds crazy, it's sort of like negotiating with your crown partner for a settlement or whatever, so how can we take that model and look at direct negotiations with those pharmaceutical companies," Mr Tukaki says.

He says any gains for Māori could also flow on to Pasifika patients if the right structures were in place......
See full article HERE

Busting Moves – The Emerging Maori Design Movement for Tamaki Makaurau
Located outside of the Ellen Melville Centre, the lightboxes will adorn inspirational images of Māori designers and their unique contributions to Tāmaki Makaurau.

This event is produced by Olivia Haddon, Māori Design Specialist at the Auckland Design Office, with support from the City Centre Place Activation Team at Auckland Council.....
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

23 June  2019

Wanganui school gyms renamed in te reo Māori
Wanganui High School has stripped its gyms of their colonial names and replaced them with Māori names to "better reflect our nation".

The school has announced that its gyms named after early colonial politicians, Vogel, Seddon and Reeves, have been renamed Te Ihi, Te Wehi and Te Mana.

Board chair Randall Southee said the names translated in English to excitement, awesomeness and prestige.

Mr Southee said they would give Māori names to other school blocks so that students could see both English and Māori throughout the school and "both are recognised on equal footing."

Mr Southee said the board would be supportive of introducing compulsory te reo Māori and New Zealand history, but it did not have the resources.....
See full article HERE

New He Tohu Tāmaki educator space opens today
A new learning experience based on the award-winning He Tohu exhibition, was opened at the National Library Auckland today.

He Tohu Tāmaki’s goal is to provide educators and learners with greater knowledge and understanding of the three iconic constitutional documents of the exhibition:

o 1835 He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni – Declaration of Independence of the United Tribes of New Zealand

o 1840 Te Tiriti o Waitangi – Treaty of Waitangi

o 1893 Women’s Suffrage Petition – Te Petihana Whakamana Pōti Wahine....
See full article HERE

The Tertiary Education Strategy provides an opportunity to increase access for Māori
TEU Te Hautū Kahurangi members around the country have been taking the opportunity for early input to the Government’s new Tertiary Education Strategy, 2020-2025 (TES)

A key component in building this understanding has been the input of Māori in this early stage of the Strategy’s development. What has come through strongly through national and regional hui with Māori across the motu is the need for the Strategy to strengthen the Tiriti o Waitangi component within the document.

Specifically, our members want the place of Tiriti strengthened around the obligations and responsibilities the government has, but also between the government and public-crown entities, including Tertiary Education Institutes (TEI) and TEI councils. Acknowledgement and expression of a commitment to honouring the responsibilities of Te Tiriti must be strengthened within the Strategy, but also within TEI investment plans.....
See full article HERE

Calls for more Māori input on polytech reforms shutdown - ITO head
The government has dismissed repeated calls for greater Māori input on polytechnic reforms, says Skills Active chairperson Sam Napia.

"For nearly 200 years now in this country, we've been fighting this notion of, 'you fullas have the same opportunities as everyone else, what are you moaning about', but to hear that similar sentence expressed by the Minister for Māori-Crown Relations was frankly flabbergasting," Mr Napia said.

Under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, tangata whenua were guaranteed adequate consultation, he said.

Mr Napia said Māori currently had equal achievement rates to non-Māori at training schools, but he was concerned this would be jeopardised by the reforms.....
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

22 June  2019

Ngāpuhi tamariki in care nearly double any other Iwi
Chairman of Te Rūnanga Ā Iwi O Ngāpuhi, Rāniera Tau acknowledges that there is much work to be done if we are to collectively improve social outcomes for our people and reduce these terrible statistics. “We of Ngāpuhi Iwi have the highest statistics of tamariki in Care. One third of ALL children in care nationwide identify as being of Ngāpuhi descent, which is nearly double any other Iwi.”

Mr Tau states “Iwi Maori are the best equipped to design processes and services for the betterment of our people. We have the knowledge but we need the resources to design a plan that meets the specific needs of Ngāpuhi whanau. Give us the time and resources.....
See full article HERE

Petition for compulsory history classes presented to Parliament
An online petition calling for the teaching of history in all New Zealand schools has been presented in parliament.

The petition posted on the New Zealand Parliament website by Graeme Ball from the New Zealand History Teachers' Association is requesting the House of Representatives pass legislation that would make compulsory 'the coherent teaching’ of history in schools.

Attracting over 3600 signatures, the petition argues that ‘too few New Zealanders have a sound understanding of what brought the Crown and Māori together in the 1840 Treaty, or of how the relationship played out over the following decades’.....
See full article HERE

Gov failure to listen destroys Māori vocational training
On the eve of a Cabinet paper recommending radical and controversial changes to the polytech and on-the-job training sector, leaders representing the sector have accused the government of “thumbing its nose” at the interests of over a hundred thousand trainees currently undergoing on-the-job industry training.

“This is an insult to the government’s Treaty partner and is the last thing we expected from the highest ranked Māori leader in the Labour Party,” Mr Napia said.......
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

21 June  2019

Tauranga City Council to explore street name changes
Yesterday, the council's Policy Committee agreed to explore a series of recommended changes to the 2009 Naming of Streets, Reserves and Community Facilities Policy, according to a written statement from the council.

A review of the current policy would confirm it applies to all spaces under the council's jurisdiction and seeks to better reflect Tauranga's history, identity, culture, environment and encourage more locally significant Māori names.

Policy Committee chairman Steve Morris said committee members felt it was important Tauranga's Māori history and identity is made more visible.

Morris emphasised that if dual naming was introduced it would mean some reserves and streets may have two names - one English name and one Māori name that has local significance.....
See full article HERE

Hui-a-Iwi will put Murihiku on map
THOUSANDS of people from throughout Aotearoa and overseas are expected to converge on Waihopai (Invercargill) in November for the first Ngai Tahu Hui-a-Iwi to be held in Murihiku (Southland).

“It puts Ngai Tahu strongly on the top for the whanau of Murihiku,” Hui-a-Iwi committee chairman Cyril Gilroy said.

“It enhances their Ngai Tahutanga and their mana and their whakapapa and their whanau.”....
See full article HERE

Auckland Council and Waikato-Tainui team up for Matariki 2019
Maori new year has not officially started, but Auckland Council is gearing up for its June 22nd kick-off by showcasing the Waikato-Tainui designed spectacle a few days early.
See full article HERE

Water access a mug's game for true owners
Green MP Gareth Hughes says a moratorium on water bottling consents is needed while a new regime for allocating and charging for water is developed.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the Government is committed to addressing the issue of commercial water bottling before the end of this term.

Labour's plans for a water levy did not survive the coalition talks.

Mr Hughes says the Greens are taking a stronger line on water ownership than other parties in Government, including recognising the rights of iwi and hapū.....
See full article HERE

Davis confirms no target for Māori Prisons
Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis has said he doesn’t know what impact the Government’s latest flagship law and order policy will have, and there are no measures on whether it will be effective, National’s Corrections spokesperson David Bennett says.

“Mr Davis confirmed this morning that he doesn’t know what impact the Government’s Māori Pathway pilot at Ngawha and Hawke’s Bay prisons will have on crime. When asked what effect it will have over the next three years, Mr Davis couldn’t answer.

“This is $100 million of taxpayers’ money, New Zealanders deserve to know whether this money is being spent effectively. But the Minister can’t even explain to Kiwis how much he expects reoffending to reduce, or by how much he expects the prison population to reduce by as a result of his policy......
See full article HERE

Māori process first stop before baby uplift
The co-leader of Labour's Māori caucus says Oranga Tamariki may be justified in uplifting babies, but there needs to be greater attention paid to cultural considerations first.

Willie Jackson says from his experience working with the Manukau Urban Māori Authority was there were circumstances where the safety of the tamariki demanded it be removed form the immediate family.

He says there is a roll call of Māori children who might be alive today if they had been removed from abusive homes…..
See full article HERE

English default threat to Māori learners
"Even our rangatahi that are brought up in immersion environments are defaulting to English in this new media landscape. They are not engaging with our traditional platforms, they are going to new platforms, and we are not getting Māori content into those new platforms quick enough," Mr Parr says…..
See full article HERE

Short term DOC for Hippolite
Outgoing Te Puni Kōkiri chief executive Michelle Hippolite says the Department of Conservation could set an example to the rest of the public service in working with Māori.

"Because they've got a few tools inside the conservation world I reckon it could be one of the exemplary agencies that takes Māori development and the Treaty (of Waitangi) into the core business of the agency," Ms Hippolite says……
See full article HERE

Māori Law Society backs family court overhaul
The Māori Law Society is backing proposals to recognise te ao Māori in family justice services.

The society is backing recommendations to give tamaiti a voice throughout the process, and for kaumātua and grandparents to also have their role acknowledged,….
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

20 June  2019

Baby's whānau rejects Minister's internal inquiry
The lawyer for a mother of a baby saved last month from a state 'uplift' says an internal inquiry into the affair is 'like leaving Dracula in charge of the blood bank'.

An internal inquiry into the Hawke's Bay baby uplift by Oranga Tamariki has met a potentially fatal problem even before it begins - the baby's mother and whānau are refusing to participate and seeking an independent review instead.

The mother's lawyer, Janet Mason, told Newsroom on Wednesday morning the family was dismayed at Minister for Children Tracey Martin announcing details of the inquiry yesterday without reference back to the family or iwi......
See full article HERE

Ngāti Awa celebrates treaty signing
Ngāti Awa yesterday marked the anniversary of its ancestors signing the Treaty of Waitangi.

He says having reached a settlement of its historic claims in 2005, Ngāti Awa has more to celebrate.

"The day commemorates our grievances, that we have come from out of grievance mode into a new beginning but without the Treaty of Waitangi we would not have been able to do that so we are really grateful and the partnerships we have with all iwi across the motu and with our treaty partner, the crown, so beautiful day yesterday," Mr Ngaropo says......
See full article HERE

Low confidence new Oranga Tamariki laws will help Māori
Support workers remain unconvinced that new Oranga Tamariki laws will deliver immediate improvements for Māori in the system.

For many Māori, the most promising feature of the new legislation is Section 7aa, which binds Oranga Tamariki to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, meaning it must work more closely with Māori and iwi and devolve its resources.

She said Section 7aa and the inclusion of mana tamaiti, whakapapa and whanaungatanga provide the strongest platform for change for Māori, but there were clear tensions in the legislation.

She said the original child welfare laws 30 years ago also provided for strong partnerships with Māori but that didn't eventuate because managers and staff were not on board with it.....
See full article HERE

Wardens potential workforce as Māori step up on tamariki taking
Māori wardens could play a role reducing the number of Māori children put in care.

That's the belief of Māori Council executive director Matthew Tukaki.

District Māori councils have statutory oversight of the wardens, and the organisation is working hard to revive those connections and win more resources for the voluntary group.

Mr Tukaki says the controversy over Oranga Tamariki uplifting babies highlights the need to re-establish a Māori community workforce and also mechanisms for Māori oversight.

We don’t trust the agency, we have little trust in the Government who no matter what the colour is, so that’s where we need to be. We need to also have a strong organisation - Māori Women’s Welfare League, Māori Council, whoever we are - to hold the Government to account on the actions that they take," he says....

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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

19 June  2019

Shane Jones warns Tuhoi against closing off Lake Waikaremoana by stealth
Ngāi Tūhoe moves to oppose funding for a roading development to one of New Zealand's most special lakes "better not be a cynical manouevre" to keep tourists and Kiwis out, warns Economic Development Minister Shane Jones.

The iwi recently voiced opposition to the use of bitumen to upgrade the mostly gravel road to Lake Waikaremoana, both for environmental reasons and out of fear it would bring an increase in Kiwi and foreign tourists.

Some on social media have called for the lake to be closed off to visitors entirely.

But Jones has issued a warning that the iwi did not have the power to do that.

"Tuhoi must abide by the terms of their settlement. They are not entitled to close off the Waikaremoana lake to fellow New Zealanders or tourists," Jones said.....
See full article HERE

Franklin Local Board adopts Māori Responsiveness Action Plan
The plan, developed after detailed research, reinforces the board’s commitment to working with Māori and outlines ways to develop high-level relationships between the board and mana whenua.

“It also identifies the relevance of our annual work programme in responding to Māori aspirations,” board chair Angela Fulljames says.

The aspirations of Māori in the area were broadly that respectful relationships be forged, that Māori culture and practices be celebrated, and that culturally-based business and educational opportunities were afforded to young people......
See full article HERE

Bureaucrat hostility threat to Māori aspiration
A member of the team that produced Puao Te Ata Tu says a lesson to be learned from that report is the way public servants will undermine policies they don't like or feel uncomfortable with.

There's a lesson in that as the He Waka Roimata report on the family court and other reports on justice and welfare make their way through the system.

"As Māori we have to be ever vigilant when people try to change stuff because they feel uncomfortable, it's not stuff they necessarily want to be involved in and so we have to take them on that journey and I think that's going to be the real challenge," Sir Kim says.....
See full article HERE

Korowai new style for Family Court
Justice Minister Andrew Little is welcoming an independent report calling for a joined-up family justice service linking different groups like the Ministry of Justice, lawyers, iwi and kaupapa Māori organisations.

Mr Little says the Family Court has remained monocultural while other courts have embraced aspects of tikanga Māori, so calling the report Te Korowai Ture-a-Whānau is a call for change.

"Not only does the Family Court have to go beyond just the strict what happens in court and understand there is a range of services they need to provide to support people but also to reflect Te Korowai is now a New Zealand style of providing judicial services and support through judicial processes," he says.

Mr Little has asked officials to develop a workable programme for change before the end of the year.....
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

18 June  2019

Poverty partly to blame for high Maori, Pacific child obesity rates
Shackleton felt the health status of Maori needed to be considered alongside New Zealand's colonial history.

"Power and resources were taken from Maori, who were marginalised by new social systems, based on European norms and values," she said.

"Increased health needs among Maori and their increased experience of deprivation may be a consequence of the repression of indigenous peoples, the confiscation of land and political power, and the breaching of their rights.

"A loss of traditional food gathering places and practices following colonisation, alongside the introduction of new foods such as wheat, negatively impacted food security for Maori and resulted in a loss of traditional knowledge about food practices.".....
See full article HERE

MIT Celebrates 20 Years of Māori Achievement
Manukau Institute of Technology is marking the anniversary of the opening of its marae, Ngā Kete Wānanga, Ōtara, with the release of a report detailing the institute’s commitment to Māori.

The revitalisation of te reo is a major focus, with staff offering free courses to the community as well as programmes for inmates at Auckland South Corrections Facility.

Cultural competency training that helps local service providers better understand and engage with Māori is an increasing part of the marae’s outreach to groups such as Competenz and the Employers and Manufacturers Association......
See full article HERE

Ngāti Hei share Cook history
The narrative that Māori saw the arrival of Captain James Cook in Aotearoa New Zealand as an invasion by a murderous pirate is being challenged in a new book.

The British navigator's legacy is being questioned in the lead up to October's Tuia 250 commemoration of Cook's landings.

They say according to Ngāti Hei's Joe Davis, his ancestor Toawaka believed the 'pale-faced strangers with all their new powers' might help him and his people develop a better way of life, after years of brutal warfare and invasion by other tribes......
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

17 June  2019

Alarm over allegations of standover tactics to extort money from contractors in Opotiki 
Police complaints have been filed over a group allegedly using Mafia tactics to extort money from contractors in Opotiki on behalf of iwi.

Gravel contractors report threats of violence and damage to their equipment if "royalty" payments weren't made to a group of people alleged to be acting on behalf of the Opeke marae which is part of the hapu Ngati Irapuaia of the Whakatohea iwi.

"We were employed by a land owner to to take gravel, which was a consented activity," he said. "A couple of days later threats were made about burning my excavator unless royalties were paid. A couple of days later my truck had its tyres slashed."

A private investigation launched by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council revealed the threats were more widespread.

It is understood the investigation alleged threats to beekeepers on Department of Conservation land and a school lessee; reported instances of damage to diggers and trucks, and detailed how invoices were being presented to contractors for payment. One contractor allegedly paid tens of thousands of dollars......
See full article HERE

Report on Family Justice reform recommends combined family justice service
A review of the family justice system is calling for the development of a combined family justice service – Te Korowai Ture ā-Whānau.

Rosslyn Noonan, who led the review, said the current Family Court was "no longer fit for purpose".

Better accessibility to justice, a stronger understanding of Te Ao Maori and more judges were just some of the recommendations put forward.

Noonan said she was "concerned" about how "mono-cultural" the court currently was.

"That has got to change. It is not acceptable in this day and age that we do not reflect Te Ao Māori.".....
See full article HERE
More on the above here > Panel recommends reversing many of Judith Collins' Family Court reforms

Ngai Tahu seeks iwi involvement in High Country Crown Pastoral Lease land
Ngai Tahu have put forward the idea of iwi management plans as they seek stronger involvement in the way High Country Crown Pastoral Lease land is managed.

After the Government signalled an end to the tenure review process in February it received more than 3000 submissions on the proposal and Ngai Tahu feel there should be stronger collaboration with iwi on the management.

"Ngai Tahu has a rich history of spiritual and practical connection with the high country," the submission says.....
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

16 June  2019

Christine Rankin angry Oranga Tamariki uplifts becoming a race issue
Former Families Commissioner Christine Rankin is defending the actions of Oranga Tamariki in uplifting babies from their parents.

Rankin told The Project on Thursday evening that she was frustrated responses to the video focused on the rate in which Māori families had children uplifted. Some have referred to those taken by the state as New Zealand's "stolen generation".

"I feel really frustrated that well-meaning people, that have got absolutely no idea about the reality of these children's lives, are creating a story about race, when it is actually a story about the protection of children," Rankin said.....
See full article HERE

Accreditation bias limits Māori caregivers
A shortage of Māori able to train and certify caregivers may be hampering efforts to put children into the care of wider whanau rather than with strangers.

"Because one of the issues why whānau haven't come to Oranga Tamariki or Child Youth and Family before that to be a caregiver is because they haven't enjoyed the caregiving training. They feel they are being vetted and monitored and scrutinised rather than supported and nurtured into being an effective caregiver," Ms Leahy says.

There is no Māori Section 396 accreditor in Te Waipounamu......
See full article HERE

Dome Valley landfill: Rāhui placed despite lack of iwi support
A rāhui has been placed over a site proposed for a large landfill, despite conflict between the landfill's opponents and the local iwi.

Ngāti Whātua representatives, along with members of the Fight the Tip Committee, gathered in the Dome Valley to place an aukati rāhui (political rāhui) over the proposed Auckland Regional Landfill site at 6.30am on Saturday.......
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

15 June  2019

Over half-a-million in unpaid rates written off
No properties have been taken for a mortgagee sale but Gisborne District Council is doing everything it can to collect unpaid rates, the finance and audit committee was told yesterday.

The committee heard that $572,000 of rates owing had been written off because they were “statute barred”.

The rates related to the 2012/13 financial year and comprised $529,000 of Maori freehold land and $43,000 general land......
See full article HERE

Dome Valley dump: rāhui to stop development may be 'irrelevant'
But the Ngati Manuhiri Settlement Trust's chairman Mook Hohneck said any rāhui placed over the land without Ngati Manuhiri co-operation would be "irrelevant" under Māori customary law.

"We won't accept it any shape or form: from a cultural perspective, we are the only ones with the mana to impose a rāhui," he said.

Hohneck, who lives in Auckland, said he had no problem with anyone opposing the landfill and that "if this group want to do a karakia on the roadside on Saturday, that's fine".

But he would not accept Miru and Fight the Tip Committee could impose an official rāhui......
See full article HERE

Maori economic development plan refresh to benefit Waikato communities
The refresh of the Waikato region’s Maori economic development action plan Te Whare Ohaoha will provide a clear roadmap towards a prosperous region, according to Te Puni Kakiri (Waikato-Waiariki) and Waikato’s regional economic development agency Te Waka.

The refreshed Waikato Region Maori Economic Action Plan and Agenda - Te Whare Ohaoha was unveiled by Maori Development Minister Nanaia Mahuta at a stakeholder event today (Friday 14 June) in Hamilton. It outlined a series of actions to maximise economic outcomes, grow social and cultural wellbeing and encourage collaboration for the benefit of the Maori economy in Waikato.....
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

14 June  2019

Petition for name change of Oranga Tamariki 
A petition to change the name of Oranga Tamariki has been gaining traction online as Māori lawyers, midwives, and social workers call on the government to stop taking Māori children.

The former Child Youth and Family changed its name in 2017 under the National government and was amended by Labour last year, to become Oranga Tamariki - Ministry for Children.

Campaign creator Carolyn Hopa says on the ActionStation page that "oranga" was a word that implied wellness. She said the Ministry used the kupu distastefully.

"If you use te reo Māori to define your organisation then you must use tikanga Māori to run your organisation. This is not rocket science, it is basic respect.

"The Treaty of Waitangi promises that all things Māori and all things English would be treated the same."......
See full article HERE

Forestry scholarships open for students
Applications have opened for the second round of Te Uru Rakau’s (Forestry New Zealand) Nga Karahipi Uru Rakau scholarships.

The scholarships provide $8000 a year to Maori and female students enrolling in either a Bachelor of Forestry Science or Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Forest Engineering at the University of Canterbury.......
See full article HERE

Maori landowners fighting for their land
A group of Maori landowners is vowing to fight a plan that will strip them of their ancestral land in Papamoa.

SAVE Tumu Kaituna have grave fears that more than 4000 Maori landowners will be cut out of 55 hectares of their land if a proposal by Tumu Kaituna 14 Trust, Tauranga City Council, developers and neighbouring non-Maori landowners to sell the land goes through.....
See full article HERE

Hauora Maori Workforce Funding
Do you have Maori whakapapa? Are you planning to study towards a NZQA accredited course (levels 2 – 6) in trimesters three or four of 2019, or in 2020? If so we may able to assist you with funding......
See full article HERE

Reserve Bank and Māori Language Commission partner
Te Pūtea Matua (the Reserve Bank of New Zealand) and Te Taura Whiri i Te Reo Māori (the Māori Language Commission) today signed a mahi tahi Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote and embrace te reo Māori within the Central Bank.

The agreement, signed by Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr and Māori Language Commission Tumuaki (Chief Executive) Ngahiwi Apanui, signals the start of a strategic partnership that will allow both parties to take steps in accelerating the use and relevance of te reo Māori.

Mr Orr says the agreement is a significant step in strengthening the Bank’s commitment to Te Ao Māori (the Māori world).

“This taonga—our Māori language—should resonate throughout our nation.......
See full article HERE

Co-governance future for Auckland water
Auckland Council policymakers are looking at future co-governance of water assets with Māori.

The council is working on a framework and vision for Te Mauri o Te Wai o Tāmaki Makaurau, and it has held consultation hui with the public and mana whenua.

Water strategy general manager Andrew Chin says it's not waiting for the strategy to be completed before it takes action, and it is working with marae on their infrastructure needs.

"We're anticipating there will be a future of co-governance for our water bodies in Auckland.....
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

12 June  2019

New Zealand's own 'stolen generation': The babies taken by Oranga Tamariki
The case, which Newsroom reported, has iwi leaders calling for a new national approach to resolve the high incidence of Māori parents losing their babies through Oranga Tamariki applications to the Family Court.

Three Māori babies a week are being 'uplifted' from their mothers and of 283 babies taken into care last year, more than 70 percent were Māori or Pasifika.

Increasingly, those aware of the level of removals of Māori babies are discussing the term 'Stolen Generation', reflecting the systematic policy in Australia of taking indigenous children from their communities.....
See full article HERE

Maternal hub plan 'breach of Treaty'
Clutha-Southland National MP Hamish Walker has accused the Government of breaching the Treaty of Waitangi in closing the birthing unit at Lumsden Maternity Centre.

The Southern District Health Board has decided to replace the centre with a maternal and child hub as part of a regionwide review of maternity services.

Speaking in Parliament last night, Mr Walker said the DHB and the Government had gone ahead with the decision without consulting local iwi.

''They haven't even consulted iwi, and in my books, that's a breach of the Treaty of Waitangi.

''You've basically silenced us. You haven't consulted iwi, and that is a breach of the Treaty.

''If you want to look after Maori, you don't breach the Treaty of Waitangi......
See full article HERE

Oranga Tamariki taking Newsroom to court
Children's agency Oranga Tamariki went to court yesterday seeking orders for cuts to a Newsroom video story on a controversial 'uplift' of a Māori baby.

The ministry engaged law firm Kensington Swan and partner Linda Clark to file an urgent memorandum with the Family Court asking for Newsroom to be ordered to change the story by investigations editor Melanie Reid.

Clark wrote to Newsroom's editors claiming the story identified the baby and its mother and whānau in breach of the law, a charge this website rejects. She alleges Newsroom's measures to protect the baby's identity are insufficient as the gender and age of the baby and location of its birth, among other things, are reported.

The legal move followed a complaint a day earlier to the Media Council ahead of Newsroom's publication of the video story on the uplift, in which social workers tried to take a week-old baby from its mother's maternity bed in Hawke's Bay Hospital. The video contains footage of the woman's family and midwife being locked out of the hospital at night as social workers try to wait out the lone mother into the early hours and execute an order Oranga Tamariki had obtained from the Family Court.

Clark's letter says: "Your decision to publish the video in full is regarded by our client as deliberately provocative and concerning."

Newsroom does not accept the ministry's claims, believes there is overwhelming public interest in revealing what went on, and will oppose the application to the Family Court....
See full article HERE

Ngai Tahu to join Otago Region Council today
Ngai Tahu representatives are ready to bring an iwi lens to Otago Regional Council policy-making.

Edward Ellison and Tahu Potiki will today join the council's policy committee meeting.

They will have voting rights and be paid $9957 per year, calculated as 20% of a councillor's base salary.

Cr Michael Laws called the appointment ''undemocratic''. Council chairman Stephen Woodhead said it was a way of improving the council's partnership with iwi.......
See full article HERE

Rāhui placed on Southland's Lake Hauroko after death of Christchurch couple
Oraka-Aparima Runaka have placed a rāhui restriction on recreational fishing on Lake Hauroko after the death of a Christchurch couple who were boating on the lake.

The area of rāhui is the whole of Lake Hauroko, this also includes the Waiaurahiri River from the lake mouth to where it meets the sea.

Food should not be taken from the lake while the rahui is in place.

The rāhui acknowledges the loss of life in the lake and will be in place from June 7 until July 7......
See full article HERE

Kermadec sanctuary progress needs iwi input
Greens co-leader Marama Davidson says the voices of iwi and mana whenua are critical in any efforts to set up a marine sanctuary around the Kermadecs.

Ms Davidson says Mr Key took a wrong approach and stuffed up.

All iwi have rights in the fishery around the islands as a result of the Maori Fisheries Settlement, but the only ones consulted were the northernmost iwi Ngāti Kuri, which claims mana whenua status.

"The Greens absolutely want to see protection of one of the most incredibly pristine marine areas on the planet. That's going to involve working with the leadership of iwi and mana whenua, including Ngāti Kuri who want to put in place protection and sanctuary not just around the Kermadecs but around entire areas of sea including their whenua as well," Ms Davidson says......
See full article HERE

Iwi need to lead justice reform
A south Taranaki iwi leader says iwi and Māori need to drive the next stage of criminal justice system reform to ensure the outcome addresses Māori needs.

"What we need to do is wrap around and move them out of the government machinery, make it about where we are and where our self determination is best positioned,.....
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

11 June  2019

Legacy of colonisation still has impact on justice system, lawyer says
There are no rational reasons for why Maori are treated differently in the justice system, a lawyer says.

The criminal justice system has come under fire after a damning report that laid bare the many issues throughout the system.

"The legacy of colonisation is still alive today. The fact that if you are a Maori person charged with the same crime as a non-Maori person, you are more likely to be arrested for that crime, you are more likely to face charges in the court, you are more likely to go to jail. There's evidence to suggest that Maori are treated differently."

Kingi wants to see fewer people end up in the justice system, as young Maori men in the system “more often than not” they graduate to prison.....
See full article HERE

Hastings council apologises to mana whenua over Craggy Range Track
Hastings District Council has apologised to mana whenua over the way it handled the Craggy Range track resource consent process.

During hearings held at council to gain consent to remove the track, council's principal advisor for relationships, responsiveness and heritage James Graham said he wanted to apologise on behalf of the council......
See full article HERE

Māori voices critical for vaping website
Māori public health service Hāpai Te Hauora is accusing some in the health sector about silencing Māori voices in the fight to reduce tobacco harm.....
See full article HERE

Expert panel extends Te Kotahitanga kaupapa across all ages
One of the architects of the new Te Hurihanganui education framework says it will be even more comprehensive than Te Kotahitanga.

Professor Mere Berryman was part of the team that developed the original programme to change the way secondary schools engage with Māori pupils.

She was then part of the team asked to put aspects of Te Kotahitanga and four other pilots into a new framework, but says that effort was under-resourced while still being expected to turn around 170 years of colonised education in three years......
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

11 June  2019

Māori-led justice initiatives for Māori essential - advisor
An advisor on a scathing justice report says one of the clear messages is that Māori should be allowed to lead justice initiatives for their own people.

Advisor Julia Whaipooti said what came across loud and clear was that the justice system was fundamentally flawed and broken.

She said overwhelmingly the report is "an expression of the grief and hurt that our justice system historically and currently causes".

It states Māori feel a strong sense of disengagement from the system, one they would not have agreed to when the Treaty of Waitangi was signed.

Ms Whaipooti said there were a lot of reasons why Māori entered the justice system, but one overwhelming factor has been the impact of colonisation, which she described as "living and breathing in our prisons".

It was really clear from all over the country, "let us do work, let us work with our own people, stop telling us how to work with our people, so it's really clear to let Māori lead, let Māori lead how we need to work with our own people," she said......
See full article HERE

PGF investment package to grow Hawke’s Bay economy
“We’re also helping unlock the potential of Māori-owned land for horticulture by connecting a latent workforce in isolated communities to sustainable employment and training opportunities. This investment comes from the PGF’s Whenua Māori programme......
See full article HERE

Sir Toby Curtis rails at Maori education
The Government’s wellbeing budget is being greeted with a reminder of past grievances by one of Maoridom’s leading figures in Rotorua.

“Whatever happens in this country, as long as we are governed by non-Maori, they (Pakeha) are going to make sure Maori aren’t going to get political dominance,” says Sir Toby.

“How do you stop them for getting political dominance? Making sure they don’t get too successful in education and make sure they bloody well pay up so that they can’t compete with our kids who will run the country......
See full article HERE

Education initiative that aims to tackle racism, help Māori learners gets $42 million Government cash injection
New Government investment in education will tackle racism in the hopes to raise the potential of Māori learners.

Associate Education Minister Kelvin Davis today announced the $42 million funding over three years into a new initiative called Te Hurihanganui, that will address racism and bias across the system and support whānau to better engage in learning.....
See full article HERE

Air New Zealand to allow staff to show tattoos
Air New Zealand says it will allow all employees, including uniformed staff, to display their non-offensive tattoos at work.

From September 1 all new and existing Air New Zealand employees will be able to have Tā Moko and non-offensive tattoos visible when wearing their uniform or normal business attire.

Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Christopher Luxon says the policy changes is part of the national carrier's commitment to building a diverse and inclusive workplace that truly reflects the makeup of New Zealand......
See full article HERE

Tuhoe blocks lake road seal
An official Government event to announce the sealing of a “horrendous” gravel section of state highway on the road to Lake Waikaremoana has been cancelled at the last minute because of iwi opposition.

The district’s mayor and long-campaigning residents on the road are aghast at the he Provincial Growth Fund decision.

Tuhoe Te Uru Taumatua chairman Tamati Kruger said his iwi opposed the sealing of the road because it “contributes to damage to the environment”.

He did not believe Tuhoe had been properly consulted about the works, given they had an “interest” in the area......
See full article HERE

Pātaka eyed for Te Whānau a Apanui settlement
Te Whānau a Apanui is keen to see a pātaka now held in the Auckland War memorial Museum incorporated into a new school complex being built in Te Kaha.

Mr Te Aho says its acquisition by the museum just over 100 years ago is contentious.

Mr Te Aho says Te Whānau a Apanui hopes to get acknowledgement of the pātaka included in its treaty settlement agreement in principle which should be signed later this month.......
See full article HERE

Rename and reboot for Te Kotahitanga as lessons learned
Te Kotahitanga was developed by a team at the University of Waikato led by Russell Bishop and Mere Berryman, but was scrapped by the previous government for cost reasons and replaced with a watered-down substitute.

"I think one of the big things will be sitting down with the whānau, hapū, with iwi where appropriate, designing what they want in their education community, and addressing all those issues around racism and deficit thinking and the low expectations of some teachers," Mr Davis says.

Te Hurihanganui will initially be rolled out in six communities involving about 4000 pupils.....
See full article HERE

More than $100k for Historic Pā Site Visitor Experience
Central Hawke’s Bay District Council (CHBDC) in partnership with Te Taiwhenua o Tamatea will receive $104,764 of Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) investment funding for Ngā Ara Tipuna, a visitor experience project that will bring historic pā sites back to life.

The concept of Ngā Ara Tipuna was put forward to the council as part of Project Thrive. The council seed funded the proof of concept which has enabled this project to further progress.....
See full article HERE

Whānau ora funding gets National thumbs
National's crown Māori relations spokesperson Nick Smith is welcoming the budget lift for whānau ora, but says it should have been bigger.

"If you're going to make meaningful, long term change in the lives of Māori New Zealanders then we believe the whānau ora programme has proved its worth. The government did a big review and gave it a pretty strong thumbs up so we are delighted that successful programme we introduced as Government is going to be continued because it is good for New Zealand and it is good for Māori," Mr Smith says.....
See full article HERE

Culture takes precedence over South Waikato development
South Waikato landowners wanting to cash in on growing interest in the district may have to think again.

The South Waikato District Council is a step closer to introducing changes to its District Plan that will put restrictions on any development near culturally significant sites and landscapes.

It comes after years of co-governance committee talks with local iwi representative the Raukawa Charitable Trust (RCT) and amid plans to rezone large rural areas into a combination of residential, rural-residential and business zones to keep up with a steadily growing population......
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

10 June  2019

New justice report slams system for poor treatment of victims, Māori - 'racism is embedded in every part of it'
Racism is embedded in every area of the criminal justice system, according to a report released by the Safe and Effective Justice advisory group.

The report is also critical of how victims are treated within the system, saying people have a lack of faith in it, which suggests it is not fit for purpose.

Chester Borrows is leading the advisory group, and said the report should not come as a surprise.

The report also looks at the over-representation of Māori in the criminal justice system, describing it as a crisis.

It states "the effects of colonisation undermine, disenfranchise and conspire to trap Maori in the criminal justice system" and that "racism is embedded in every part of it".....
See full article HERE

OIA ignored as hundreds of requests languish
The New Zealand Maori Council will tomorrow file an Official Information Request with the Government to find out – how many Official Information Requests remain outstanding across the public service and why.

“The reality is it is hard to try and get to the bottom of a situation or understand what needs to be done on a particular matter of what could be public importance if your Crown Partner doesn’t want to play ball.....
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

9 June  2019

New Zealand to Promote Indigenous Culture with More of Maori Language
This new policy was first voted into practice last year in the month of June and the new language policy started its first action in the Wellington Civic Square which is called as Te Ngakau which means the heart. Following the action on the Wellington-square, the authorities have also started to name the other places using the native language of New Zealand.

Wellington’s waterfront is now known as ‘Ara Moana’ which means the ocean pathway. A nearby park from the waterfront is now known as Whairepo Lagoon. Another place in New Zealand that is just about to follow the move set by the city council is the Wellington Zoo.

The main objective of the city council is to give the zones bilingual names so that it could contribute to promoting the native culture and language of New Zealand. Apart from naming the places, the council has also created a fun game for kids that would enable them to learn the names of animals in this language.

Wellington aims to be a te reo Maori city by the year 2040 and this initiative will also give scope for the language to be seen by many.....
See full article HERE

Māori voice on BOP economic forum
A new trustee on the Eastern Bay of Plenty's Toi Economic Development Agency says maori interests are essential to the region's future economic success.

There are also growing tensions around water rights and water use.

"Having iwi involved in the economic development forum is the way for New Zealand to move forward......
See full article HERE

Iwi and Hapu Management Plans
Iwi and Hapu Management Plans (IHMPs) are prepared by an iwi, iwi authority, runanga or hapu as an expression of rangatiratangaand kaitiakitanga of local natural resources. They are designed to be strategic documents which outline priorities for iwi and hapu as well as providing a valuable cultural context and preferred process of engagement for local authorities....
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

8 June  2019

Kaupapa Māori test best way to measure Oranga Tamariki response
Māori lawyers and researchers are calling on the government to adopt long-standing kaupapa Māori models when they develop new evaluation methods for Māori children and young people who come to the notice of Oranga Tamariki.

In a paper released as part of Māori research body Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga’s new Te Arotahi series, the researchers including Jacinta Ruru from the University of Otago and Khylee Quince from AUT University argue a kaupapa Māori approach can positively disrupt the government’s systemic undermining of Māori and their whānau.

They say the default in Aotearoa New Zealand is to use Western and Eurocentric frameworks to measure well-being which do not give a full picture of Māori well-being……
See full article HERE

Iwi hort gets boost on coast
Iwi and the kiwifruit industry are welcoming the latest funding from the Government’s Provincial Growth Fund which consists of $370,000 being placed into a kiwifruit project.

The project is run through Te Kaha Landowners, an iwi consortium of six ahuwhenua trusts that own kiwifruit orchards across the East Coast area.

The initial funding is to be followed by as much as $13 million to boost iwi jobs in the remote region through horticultural projects aiming to create year-round employment for almost 200 people......
See full article HERE

Time to disrupt family law with Treaty of Waitangi
Māori lawyers and legal academics say the new law covering Oranga Tamariki is a chance to disrupt a system that is putting far too many Māori children into state care.

She says the use of words like mana tamaiti, whakapapa and whanaungatanga in the legislation will be a learning moment for judges and officials.....
See full article HERE

Maori business profits continue strong growth - Stats NZ
The surplus was achieved on an annual income of $3.4 billion, almost unchanged on 2016.

Mâori authority businesses are businesses that manage Mâori assets held in communal ownerships. They range from larger farming, forestry, and fisheries companies to small land trusts.

"The role of Mâori business and Mâori economic development is an important driver of New Zealand’s economy, with strong connections to the land and sea," national accounts senior manager Gary Dunnet said.

Mâori authority businesses paid salaries and wages of about $470 million in 2017, down slightly on 2016, but up 36 percent on 2012.

Mâori authority businesses’ assets grew 6 percent in 2017 to $20.1 billion. From 2012, assets have risen by almost $6 billion, a gain of about 40 percent.

Mâori authority businesses own an increasing share of their growing assets, an indication of greater financial strength. Shareholders’ funds or owners’ equity was $14 billion in 2017, up from $9.6 billion in 2012.

Mâori authority businesses are key contributors to the Mâori economy, but these figures exclude other types of Mâori businesses, such as many small and medium-sized enterprises and self-employed Mâori. This is because they are harder to reliably identify......
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

7 June  2019

Kaupapa-Māori approach urged for Māori kids in state care
Māori academics are urging the government to adopt long-standing kaupapa-Māori approaches to keep Māori children out of state care.

A recent paper from the Māori research institute Ngā Pae o te Māramataka suggests there's still an opportunity to significantly reduce that number, with new laws under the amended Oranga Tamariki Act coming into force from July.

Te Aniwa Hurihanganui spoke to lead academic Khylie Quince about what a "Kaupapa-Māori" approach means.....
See full article HERE

Wellington Housing First contracts revealed
Two contracts have been awarded for the rollout of Housing First in Wellington, which will begin this month.

It's understood contracts to deliver Housing First services in Wellington are being entered into with Kahungunu Whānau Services and a collective being led by DCM.

Kahungunu Whānau Services CEO Ali Hamlin-Paenga said the Housing First contract was the beginning of a lot more work to come.

It's important a Māori housing provider was awarded one of the contracts, she said.

"Maori have their own solutions and I think the importance of allowing us to do what we need to do in a Te Reo Māori way gives us an opening to ensure not only our people but all people in the community are looked after.......
See full article HERE

Maori Council calls on the DHB model to be abolished
Maori Council calls on the DHB model to be abolished – landmark survey finds District Health Board model fails to meet the needs of Maori – health outcomes at significant risk of declining

“That’s why we join with many others to call time on the DHB model and look at new and innovative approaches for health care in New Zealand and from our perspective that means a system designed, developed and governed to provide Maori Health and Wellbeing services to our people. Specifically, we are wanting to see the following:

Integrated model of administration and coordination
Maori health funding authority
Maori health and mental health services provisioning
Maori workforce development and investment
Integration of Tikanga and culturally based approaches of care
Disability services model for Maori
Aged care services and support
Closer integration of broader Government services
Overhaul of the Ministry of Health.....
See full article HERE

Part Three of Te Mana Whatu Ahuru Report released
Today the Waitangi Tribunal released Part Three of Te Mana Whatu Āhuru: Report on Te Rohe Pōtae Claims. The report addresses all claims relating to Crown actions within the Te Rohe Potae inquiry district after the Treaty of Waitangi signing in February, 1840.

The first two reports recommended that the Rangatiratanga of Te Rohe Pōtae Māori be enacted in legislation in a way that recognises and affirms their rights of autonomy and self-determination within their rohe, and imposes a positive obligation on the Crown to give effect to those rights.

The third report focusses on how to give effect to these matters by addressing land policy and legislation enforced by the Crown after 1900, and discusses the implications this had on Māori who expected to be able to exercise their mana whakahaere. Not only did these expectations reflect promises within the Treaty of Waitangi, but also within the Te Ohāki Tapu agreement......
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

6 June  2019

$32m boost to kōhanga reo 'just the start' says Minister Kelvin Davis
Kōhanga Reo will receive a $32 million funding boost to lift wages, pay volunteers and improve and upgrade facilities.

Associate Education Minister Kelvin Davis made the post-Budget announcement at Te Kōhanga Reo o Ngā Mokopuna in Kilbirnie, Wellington, on Tuesday.

Davis, who is also the Minister for Crown Māori Relations, said the the funding acknowledged the "crucial role" kōhanga reo play in the survival and revitalisation of te reo Māori.

"This is the start of what equality for kōhanga reo looks like......
See full article HERE

Maori Outcomes Coordinator
Company: Auckland Council

* Full-time permanent opportunity

* Be part of an organisation who is shaping spaces for Aucklander’s to love

* Unique opportunity to play a key support and administration role in Maori engagement.....
See full article HERE

Traditional Māori medicine could be a cure for kauri dieback
A Northland woman says a recent experiment she conducted to treat kauri dieback has had remarkable results.

"We gather the fat of the whale and use also the bone of the whale, we mix both elements and then apply it on the bark of the tree. Within this process, we deliver our karakia."

Both Butterworth and Ashby hope to get their treatment scientifically tested. Until then, they will continue to utilise the rongoā methods of their ancestors.....
See full article HERE

NZ First taking close look at Māori broadcast pūtea
The New Zealand First caucus is set for a briefing on how money set aside for Māori broadcasting is being shared out.

He says Māori community radio needs to be safeguarded and supported.

"We don’t want Māori radio starved, we don’t want Māori radio bullied, and we want it to grow.......
See full article HERE

Council to supports events across Waikato to celebrate Matariki, Maori New Year
Waikato District Council is supporting a variety of eventsacross the district to mark Matariki, the Maori New Year, which will be celebrated between 25 June and 3 July this year.

The largest of these is the seventh Matariki Festival hosted by Te Whare Toi o Ngaaruawaahia – Twin Rivers Community Art Centre with the support of more than $6,000 from the Creative Communities Scheme and from discretionary Council funding.

Funding of nearly $4,000 from the Council's iwi liaison budget will also support:....
See full article HERE

Researchers call for kaupapa Māori approach to turn around poverty, Oranga Tamariki care disparities
Researchers are calling for greater partnership with Māori and a more whānau-based approach to tackle disparities in poverty and youth outcomes.

In an article published today by Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga (Māori Centre of Research Excellence) researchers called for a kaupapa Māori model for young Māori who came to the attention of Oranga Tamariki.

Researchers said a new law coming into force on July 1, requiring the chief executive of Oranga Tamariki to recognise and provide for a practical commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi, gave an opportunity to develop more appropriate measures for Māori, rather than typically Western and Eurocentric measures of well-being......
See full article HERE

Air NZ keen to boost Māori staff ranking
Air New Zealand has set a target of having 20 percent of Māori and Pasifika employees in leadership roles by 2022.

The airline’s senior leaders will work to build their fluency in Māori culture and customs, including attending immersive overnight marae workshops.......
See full article HERE

Awards to support better medicine access for Māori
Both PHARMAC and Te Rūnanga want to advance the Māori nursing workforce and strengthen their relationships with Māori health professional groups. PHARMAC has a strategic goal of eliminating the inequities in access to medicines that mean Māori are not getting the same benefits from funded medicines as other New Zealanders.

The Awards are in two categories, with the winners in each receiving a share of $10,000. Winners are selected by a joint PHARMAC - Te Rūnanga panel........
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

5 June  2019

Mōkai Pātea Waitangi Claims Trust seeks mandate through hui with Taihape iwi
After much preparation, the Mōkai Pātea Waitangi Claims Trust is about to ask four Taihape iwi for mandate to represent them in Treaty of Waitangi claims.

The trust begins a series of hui on June 15, in Taihape and Whanganui. They continue to Porirua, Turangi and Taradale and finish in Auckland on June 23.

The hui were to inform members of the tribe about the mandate strategy, and to give everyone over 18 a chance to vote, trust chairman Utiku Potaka said.

The trust has taken the unusual step of opening voting to tribal members who are not registered with it, and may not want to be. Those people can make a special vote, stating their whakapapa (connection to the iwi). Their votes will be referred to knowledgeable people for verification......
See full article HERE

Wellbeing Budget recognises the importance of Kōhanga Reo
Kōhanga reo are set to get a boost with new funding support that will significantly lift wages, allow volunteers to be paid, update ICT capacity, and fund a stock take and repairs of their buildings, Associate Education Minister Kelvin Davis announced today.

Kelvin Davis announced the $32 million Wellbeing Budget investment at Te Kōhanga Reo o Ngā Mokopuna in Wellington and said it acknowledges the crucial role kōhanga reo play in the survival and revitalisation of te reo Māori......
See full article HERE

Waitangi Tribunal Announces Whakatōhea District Inquiry
The Waitangi Tribunal has released its decision to hold a district inquiry into the historical grievances of Whakatōhea this afternoon.....
See full article HERE

Māori are the only real winners in Well Being Budget
If there is any winner in this budget, it's Māori.
$116 million for Whānau Ora
$98 million for Māori and whānau in Prisons
$61 million in Māori mental health
$40 million in papakainga development
$49 million for Mana in Mahi
$100 million investment in whenua Māori
$32million boost for Kōhanga Reo
Māori put their trust into Labour at the last election by handing them all the Māori electorates plus an enormous boost in the Party list vote from Māori on the General roll, this budget rewards that faith.

The Māori Caucus should be applauded, because there is little else to cheer.....
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

4 June  2019

Queen's Birthday Honours: Advocating to keep the Government honest earns honour
"I remember well, being at a hui where 100 very important people had been invited to talk about the country's constitution. A question put to Sir Graham Latimer was deferred to me and I responded with 'Before we begin looking at the constitution of New Zealand, we need to recognise Māori have more rights in this country.'

"Not only were we given the same rights as British citizens under the Treaty, we were also given the right to use our taonga [our land, our river and our language]. This bought the hui to a halt."

Paul said he has been advocating from this position so his black-haired, brown-eyed mokopuna would have equality with his blonde-haired, blue-eyed mokopuna.......
See full article HERE

More South Canterbury organisations enrol staff for Te Reo classes
Te Reo Māori is experiencing a resurgence at tertiary institutions with more people and organisations choosing to study the official language.

The Ara Institute of Canterbury says it has seen an increase in the number of enrolments from businesses eager to learn and teach its staff about Māori language and culture, and sports associations in South Canterbury are also looking to join in.

In South Canterbury, organisations such as the Waimate District Council and the Timaru District Council (TDC) are huge role players in Te Reo training, Ara said.

TDC senior adviser for people and capability Hannah Goddard-Coles said the council had 38 employees enrolled for Ara's Te Reo short courses......
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

3 June  2019

From the NZCPR archives by Dr Muriel Newman
Return the Coast to public ownership
David Round explained that because of its varied meaning ‘tikanga’ should never have been included in the law, and warned, “that ‘tikanga’ will actually say that Maori still own a part of the foreshore and seabed even if other people visit it!”

Indeed, that’s exactly what has happened. In the only Crown Engagement case to have been finalised under the new law, Ngati Pahauwera successfully claimed that they had held an area of Hawke’s Bay coastline between Napier and Gisborne – that had been used as a public road for over 100 years – exclusively and continuously since 1840 in accordance with tikanga.

Minister Chris Finlayson, in granting the Customary Marine Title, was clearly swayed by the reference to ‘tikanga’ – as he explained in a letter to the iwi: “The submissions received do not demonstrate intensive third party use of the application area, and Ngati Pahauwera evidence asserts that third parties are not excluded provided they abide by Ngati Pahauwera tikanga. Contemporary third party activities that take place in the CMCA (common marine and coastal area) in the Ngati Pahauwera application area include surfcasting, surfing and offshore fishing and recreational boating using boats launched outside of the application area. Historically, the CMCA has been used for commercial navigation including the landing of goods and people, travel along the foreshore between Napier and Wairoa and small scale gravel and shingle extraction.”

He continued, “I am satisfied that the combined historical and contemporary third party activities are not of sufficient intensity and scale to amount to a substantial interruption of any exclusive use and occupation that Ngati Pahauwera are able to establish. These activities often take place in small, confined parts of the CMCA and do not, of themselves, interrupt use and occupation by the applicant group.”

What’s clear from the Minister’s decision is that by referring to tikanga the claimants were able to satisfy the statutory test of ‘exclusive’ use and occupation – even though the area had been continually used by many other people – because the claimants’ own use of the area had not been interrupted.

If the Judges hearing the High Court claims take a similar view then it is likely that virtually the whole coast will pass into tribal hands.

Looking back, New Zealanders were essentially duped by the National Government into believing that the statutory tests in the new law were so onerous that few claims would succeed.

It now appears they were badly misled.

But there is more bad news.

The Attorney General, who most people had thought would oppose the High Court claims in the public interest, recently clarified that this in not his role: “To be clear, the Attorney-General does not consider it is his role to oppose applications in the public interest”.

While he then went on to explain that he will act as an interested party in each claim to ensure that the statutory tests are met, it seems there is no guarantee that the claims will be opposed.

With tens of millions of dollars of taxpayers’ funding filling the legal war chests of claimants, and without a guarantee that our elected Government will defend the public interest in the coast, there is an increasing chance that even spurious claims will succeed.

Furthermore, while the public may have been reassured by the fact that since all of the claims overlap, they would fail the ‘exclusive’ use and occupation test, this too may have been premature. Claimants are being asked to resolve the boundary issues ‘according to tikanga’, so that by the time their claims progress to a hearing, they will no longer overlap.

As a result, claimants are now busy carving up the coast between themselves ahead of advancing their exclusive use arguments. Many tribal groups believe it is only a matter of time before the coast is theirs......
Read the full article here > https://www.nzcpr.com/return-the-coast-to-public-ownership/
November 4, 2018

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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

2 June  2019

Consultancy fund welcomed
Dunedin city councillors say a $250,000-a-year fund to work with Ngai Tahu's Dunedin-based commercial consultancy arm, Aukaha, is long overdue.

Councillors at this week's annual plan deliberations voted 13-1 to approve the annual funding, which was to be matched dollar-for-dollar by Ngai Tahu.

The money would help cover the costs associated with a variety of cultural and advisory roles already carried out - free of charge - by Aukaha and local iwi in Dunedin, councillors were told.....
See full article HERE

Kura Kaupapa disappointed at lack of budget funds
"They [representatives] don't really see any funding for our Māori education system, like our Māori immersion schools," says Wright. "From what they can see, most of the funding has gone to support a mainstream education system which has not yet resulted in outcomes for our Māori students."

Māori Education Minister Kelvin Davis says, "We are reviewing the country's education landscape so within those findings we will be able to see how we can help the different schools, including Māori immersion schools and mainstream.".......
See full article HERE

Iwi, scientists to study Hokianga Harbour silt threat
Far North iwi hopes a $100,000 science grant will help improve understanding of how the Hokianga Harbour has changed since people arrived in the country — and what can be done to restore its health.

The study comes amid mounting concerns over the state of the harbour, where human activity, particularly deforestation, has led to species loss, poor water quality and high levels of siltation.

The funding was awarded to Crown-owned research institute GNS Science and Te Rarawa Anga Mua, a subsidiary of Te Rūnanga o Te Rarawa.......
See full article HERE

NZ Tattoo date announced
Palmerston North City is pleased to announce the new date for the New Zealand Tattoo as Saturday 4 April 2020.

The New Zealand Tattoo will feature 600+ top quality performers and will be a uniquely New Zealand show with a theme of 'The Homecoming" in recognition of the end of WW1 and New Zealanders returning home, with particular significance to the Maori Battalion and its association with Palmerston North city.....
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

1 June  2019

Reo funding ramped up
The chair of Te Mātāwai says extra funding in the Budget should help in its efforts to get more Māori speaking te reo.

Te Waihoroi Shortland says the $6 million for the Kāhui investment model run will boost Te Mātāwai’s administrative support of the Maihi Māori programme in the wider Māori community and also to develop policy and advice for Te Taura Whiri.

Māori Development Minister Nanaia Mahuta says the extra money in the Budget for te reo Māori shows the crown is committed to ensuring that basic te reo is spoken by a million people in Aotearoa by 2040

As well as the money for Te Mātāwai, there is $10 million over four years to fund Te Taura Whiri, the Māori Language Commission, and support an increase in certification for te reo translators.

Another $4 million dollars has been allocated to support events that build a shared national identity.

The Budget also funds $14 million of additional support for Te Māngai Pāho to produce quality Māori programming to support te reo Māori and wider cultural development objectives.......
See full article HERE

Pride as Budget delivers for Māori caucus
Employment Minister Willie Jackson, the chair of Labour‘s Māori caucus, says there is $570 million of new money for Māori initiatives, the largest ever such investment.

The employment portfolio got another $26.6 million to be allocated through the Provincial Growth Fund to extend He Poutama Rangitahi to assist young people at risk of long term unemployment.....
See full article HERE

Wellbeing budget promises encourage local government
Councils have been embracing their role in enhancing relationships between local government and iwi to improve partnerships, and an additional $10 million in operating expenditure is welcomed to further strengthen this commitment.

“This investment will make a real difference to the cultural well-being of New Zealanders across the country, particularly as the government completes further Treaty of Waitangi settlements....
See full article HERE

Mind the gap
It’s no secret that Auckland has a housing crisis. Income growth hasn’t kept pace with either house price or rent increases in the city for more than two decades. The median house price has gone from roughly four times the median household income in 2002 to roughly nine times that amount today.

Though those trends have impacted every strata of society, Māori are disproportionately affected. Māori home ownership rates have dropped consistently for decades, and Māori are over-represented in Auckland’s homelessness statistics. They have borne the brunt of the crisis.

The Kāinga Strategic Action Plan is an attempt to address that disparity. The wide-ranging document, commissioned by the Independent Māori Statutory Board in May 2018, outlines a strategy for ending homelessness and increasing Māori participation in Auckland’s housing market.....
See full article HERE

New judge's goal: Fewer Māori through courts and in prison

Māori lawyer from the Far North, La-Verne King, has been sworn in as the newest judge in the District Court.

Judge King, of Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa and Ngāti Paoa, wanted to share the day with students at Te Rangi Aniwaniwa in Kaitaia and opted to have her ceremony at the school hall, instead of the courthouse.

She said she is looking forward to bringing her understanding of te ao Māori to the judiciary.

Her appointment brings the number of Māori district court judges up to 20, out of a total of 160.

"I've chosen that setting because I think the justice system can learn a lot about how kura kaupapa operate.

"It is a really positive environment, it encourages Māori tamariki to be Maori. It encompasses te ao, te reo me ōna tīkanga.....
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

31 May  2019

Wakatū Inc. seeks response from the Crown in land case
After success in the Supreme Court in February 2017, Wakatū Incorporation, a Nelson-based Māori-owned organisation, says the Crown is taking too long to enter into genuine discussions to resolve its case.

The Supreme Court case, which was taken by kaumātua and Wakatū board member Rore Stafford, and Wakatū Incorporation on behalf of its owners, the families of Wakatū, dates back to the settlement of Nelson in the mid-1840s.

At that time, the Nelson settlement was established by the New Zealand Company and the Crown on the condition that the Nelson Tenths’ Reserves Trust would be created for the benefit of the Māori land owners, and all papakāinga, cultivation and wāhi tapu lands in Nelson and Tasman would be protected from settlement.

Significant areas of land in Nelson and Tasman were never reserved by the Crown or were removed from the Nelson Tenths’ Reserves Estate between 1845 and 1977.

As the kaumātua who is leading the case, Rore Stafford says, ‘I see it as a simple kaupapa, just give our land back.’......
See full article HERE

Infamous track on Te Mata Peak exposes racism
Ngāti Kahungunu iwi and hapū members have been subject to racism following their support for the removal of the highly contentious Craggy Range track on Te Mata Peak, but Ngāti Kahungunu Chair Ngahiwi Tomoana says there has been a shift in public opinion, with strong support now to have it removed.

“When the Pākehā carved the track on Rongokako, things got quite heated between the Māori and the Pākehā community,” says Tomoana.

Ngāti Kahungunu opposed the track that had been cut on their ancestral mountain Rongokako, but, in doing so, received an outpouring of public backlash and vocal remarks of racism.

“Due to their ignorance at that time, racist and difficult comments were made every day towards Māori families and tribal members. They were yelling at us and shouting at us,” he says......
See full article HERE

'H' added to Rural Community Board's name to reflect spelling of Whanganui District
Whanganui's Rural Community Board is finally having the "H" officially added to the spelling of its name.

The Local Government Commission has approved the change of name to Whanganui Rural Community Board as part of the representation review of the Whanganui District ahead of this year's local government elections. Councils must review representation every six years.....
See full article HERE

A well-meaning Budget 2019 offers almost half a billion for Māori
At a glance: $480mil in targeted spending on Māori (including $398mil in ‘whānau wellbeing’ and $82mil in Māori/Crown relations and Treaty settlements).

Whānau Ora: $81mil (operating)
The Wellbeing Budget commits $80 million over four years to expand the coverage and impact of Whānau Ora in addition to $1mil to research how a whānau-centred approach to primary healthcare can improve health outcomes for Māori and Pacific peoples.

Supporting te reo Māori and communities: $208mil (operating) $2mil (capital)
Budget 2019 Initiatives include resurrecting Te Kotahitanga, supporting the Māori Housing Network and revitalising marae as centres of community and te reo.

Almost $9.8mil over four years will fund Te Taura Whiri and support an increase in certification for te reo teachers.

Another $4mil will be used to sponsor events that contribute to promoting the status and use of te reo Māori. Te Puni Kōkiri will administer this fund.

$6mil will be invested in the Kāhui investment model run by Te Mātāwai. This investment will be used to support the Maihi Māori programme in the wider Māori community and also for policy and advice for Te Taura Whiri.

The money will be earmarked for eight iwi and Māori language clusters across the country.

Budget 2019 also provides $14mil of additional support for Te Mangai Paho to produce Māori programming and content.

Tackling reoffending – a kaupapa Māori approach: $95mil (operating) $3mil (capital)
The Wellbeing Budget is investing $98mil into a pathway for people to experience a kaupapa Māori and whānau-centred approach for all of their time with Corrections, from pre-sentence to reintegration and transition in their community.

The initiative includes $35mil of operating funding over four years to apply a Whānau Ora approach and will initially focus on Māori men under 30 years of age.

Unlocking whenua Māori: $56mil
The government says it will invest $56.1mil over four years in “unlocking the unused potential of Māori-owned land” through the implementation of the Whenua Māori Programme.

Improving Māori health outcomes:
These include a pre-budget announcement of $12mil in funding for rheumatic fever programmes to reduce the incidence rate among Māori and Pacific peoples and support better management of the illness.

Other targeted funding includes the Māori Health Workforce Development Package, which will receive $10mil operating funds to contribute to improving Māori health outcomes by increasing the Māori health workforce.

Additionally, the Māori Health Innovation Fund to Improve Māori Health Outcomes will receive $4mil to increase the number and range of Māori health providers.

This targeted funding represents a drop in the ocean of health-related funding which will disproportionately affect Māori. These include the record $1.9 mental health package and a multi-year $1.7bil investment in hospitals, mental health and addiction facilities.

Māori/Crown relations and Treaty settlements: $82mil
A range of initiatives related to progressing Treaty settlements, maintaining Landbank properties and fulfilling Treaty obligations will receive operating funding to maintain and improve engagement between Māori and the Crown.

(Note: the figures above do not represent the entirety of Budget 2019 spending on Māori-specific initiatives.).....
See full article HERE

Govt plans for million people to speak te reo by 2040
The government says it is committed to ensuring that basic te reo is spoken by a million people in Aotearoa by 2040, as part of this year's budget.

According to the latest statistics from the 2013 census, 148,400 people reported they could hold a conversation in Māori.

Mahuta says te reo is a taonga that will strengthen the partnership between Crown and Māori.

“The language also makes a key contribution to New Zealand tourism and international trade,” she says.

“For te reo Māori to thrive by 2040, we all need to do our part to make it a working, living language.”.....
See full article HERE

Taxpayer money will be spent unfairly via Whanau Ora
Race-based spending initiatives announced in the Wellbeing-Budget (such as an extra $80 million for Whanau Ora) will lead to wasteful and unfair outcomes, says the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union.

“When taxpayers’ money is used on welfare, health services, or educational assistance, it should be laser-targeted towards areas of need, taking into account individual circumstances. In this Budget, spending is too often targeted through the single lens of race.”.....
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

30 May  2019

Budget should demonstrate commitment to Māori
Wellbeing Budget should demonstrate the Coalition Government’s commitment to Māori

Hart says "This is a powerful message to our people that our voices have been heard and our needs will be recognised by the equitable distribution

of public funding into areas which will make a tangible difference for Māori. We hope they won’t be disappointed.".....
See full article HERE

New Southern Pathway in Auckland Domain officially named
Auckland Museum’s Southern Pathway in the Auckland Domain has been completed with its official name announced by Auckland Mayor Phil Goff.

“With the guidance of our Taumata-a-iwi, the Southern Pathway’s official name of Te Ara Oranga has been gifted by Taumata-a-Iwi member Te Hei Tamaariki and means the Pathway of Life or Wellbeing.”.....
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

29 May  2019

Wintec embeds introductory te reo Māori and tikanga Māori in programmes
The Waikato Institute of Technology's centre for Health and Social Practice has embedded introductory te reo Māori and tikanga Māori lessons through all of its programmes.

It comes after the Australasia College for Emergency Medicine launched its own cultural strategy in May, committing all of its senior staff and trainees to lessons in te reo Māori and the Treaty of Waitangi.

Wintec Director of Health, Dr Angela Beaton, said the institute wanted to develop practitioners who could work effectively with whānau, pronounce Māori patient names correctly and understand Māori customs.

"Students learn about Māori identity, Māori world-views, and different protocols by having noho marae stay......
See full article HERE

Children in police cells a direct Treaty breach - Māori Council
An executive director of the Māori Council says holding young people in police cells is a breach of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

On 1 July, the Oranga Tamariki Act will be amended, and will require that the agency provides a practical commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. That includes ensuring its policies and practices have the aim of reducing disparities for Māori children.

Mr Tukaki said holding a young person in a police cell would be a direct breach of Te Tiriti o Waitangi because it failed to honour the partnership between the Crown and Māori.

The Children's Commissioner, Judge Andrew Becroft, said the government could honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi by outlawing the practice.

"Given the extreme disproportionality of Māori in police cells one thing the government could do in response to treaty obligations, is to remove and abolish that statutory option from the books straight away."

Judge Becroft said that would be a practical first step and could be generally seen as honouring the treaty......
See full article HERE

Building culture in Tāmaki Makaurau
Before Auckland was named Auckland, it was Tāmaki Makaurau. Māori lived on the isthmus for hundreds of years before Pākehā arrived, building pā on its volcanic cones and prospering on its fertile network of waterways. The history of this land is first told in a Māori voice......
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

28 May  2019

High Māori expectations for Budget
Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis says this week's Wellbeing Budget is a chance to address some longstanding concerns withing Māoridom.

"We know that over half of people in prison are Māori and something needs to be different. This is a system change we are implementing with Māori Pathways

and it is probably 170 years overdue, so if someone wants to accuse me of funding for Māori, yes, I'm guilty as charged," he says.......
See full article HERE

Kaikohe faces a teacher shortage in kura kaupapa Māori schools
Kaikohe community leaders are calling for specialised job training as full immersion Kura Kaupapa Māori schools battle a teacher shortage.

A promotional video for two jobs attracted 6000 views but only four applications......
See full article HERE

Pou whenua installed on Quail Island to 'enrich' visitor experience
A nine-metre tall pou whenua now stands guard over Quail Island.

The carved pillar – called Te Hamo o Tū Te Rakiwhānoa – is used to mark territorial boundaries and areas of significance.....
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

26 May  2019

Ngāti Porou foreshore fight resolved
Ngāti Porou’s customary interests in the East Coast coastal and marine area has been recognized with the passing yesterday of Ngā Rohe Moana o Ngā Hapū o Ngāti Porou Bill (No 2).

A large number of hapū representatives were at parliament yesterday to witness the third reading.

Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Andrew Little says Ngāti Porou was the only iwi to both enter into negotiations and reach a foreshore and seabed deed of agreement with the Crown under the former Foreshore and Seabed Act.

When that Act was repealed in 2011, the then-National Government said it would honour its commitments to the deed......
See full article HERE

$4 million to strengthen Māori science connections
Thirty one new projects will receive funding worth $4 million over the next two years through the seventh round of Te Pūnaha Hihiko: Vision Mātauranga Capability Fund (the Fund).

This year’s projects will create a greater understanding of how the science system can support the economic, social and cultural development of Māori organisations. They span a wide range of topics including traditional Māori healing, testing for kauri dieback, and evaluation of tools for communicating scientific data to communities for customary fisheries management.....
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

25 May  2019

Govt to fund $56.1m to develop whenua Māori
The government has today announced an investment of $56.1 million over four years into the development of whenua, Māori freehold landowners and their whānau.

This comes after plans for a Whenua Māori Programme were first announced earlier this year.

The programme supports Māori landowners, trustees and whānau across the spectrum to expand their operations and seek opportunities, says Māori Development Minister Nanaia Mahuta. The spectrum includes those establishing ownership interests and governance structures, through to owners who are ready to expand their operations and seek opportunities.

“Our focus is on stimulating social and economic development through the 1.4 million hectares of whenua Māori that remains in Māori freehold title,” says Mahuta......
See full article HERE

Apology call after Government delivered on Māori funding
The chair of Labour’s Māori Party caucus says he’s waiting for an apology from critics who complained the Government was running shy of delivering targeted funding for Māori.

Willie Jackson says next week’s Wellbeing Budget includes a number of areas where the Government has decided the best way to achieve its outcomes are through specific Māori programmes.

"You’ve already seen $98 million go out for our people totally targeted funding in terms of our prisons and Corrections. Whānau Ora is involved in that. I can't see that sort of pūtea distributed by previous Governments. We've already seen $100 million go out in terms of whenua. So those who said to us we couldn't get any targeted funding, I'm waiting for an apology, and that's with New Zealand First who we were told would block Māori funding," he says.
See full article HERE

New Zealand’s agreed colours, signage and te reo Māori translations for rubbish and recycling bins
The symbols have been translated into te reo Māori . WasteMINZ worked with Jacqui Forbes from Para Kore and Ian Christensen from He Kupenga Hao i Te Reo Māori to produce bilingual New Zealand Recycling Symbols.

The symbols can be downloaded here as a zipped folder. The symbols are available in both a portrait and landscape layout. They are editable so you are able to replace a kupu (word) if required, in consultation with your local iwi. The word list for the symbols can be downloaded here. Organisations are encouraged to use the standard translations, unless there are regional or local differences.....
See full article HERE

Programme brings Māori names and narratives to Auckland's parks and places
Across the region, a movement is under way to reflect the true richness of our heritage in the names of our parks and public spaces.

Across the region, a movement is under way to reflect the true richness of our heritage in the names of our parks and public spaces.

Tāmaki Makaurau is filled with lovely parks but few of their names evoke a full picture of our complex past or vibrant present. Cornwall. Albert. Victoria. Myers. Western. For the most part, these names reflect only our colonial heritage.

None of these much-loved parks will undergo a name change, but Auckland Council is working with mana whenua to ensure parks and other public spaces better reflect the region’s rich Māori heritage too. Fourteen local boards have signed on to be part of a programme called Te Kete Rukuruku, which aims to showcase the Māori history and stories of Tāmaki Makaurau. One element is to add names significant to Māori to local parks and community places, including libraries and community centres......
See full article HERE

Iwi research whalebone treatment for kauri dieback
Northland iwi are investigating how whalebone could treat kauri dieback disease. Māori medicinal expert Tohe Ashby is using traditional knowledge to test the possibilities.

Ashby has conducted case studies to test his theory, which has produced some exciting results.

"I have tested it and it shows an improvement in the condition of the trees."

Ashby says he would like to be funded to expand his research and share it with other iwi.....
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

24 May  2019

Ngati Porou is set to gain legal customary title over the East Coast foreshore and seabed.
The Nga Rohe Moana o Nga Hapu o Ngati Porou Bill receives its third and final reading in Parliament this afternoon and is set to become a milestone piece of legislation — the first of its kind.

Representatives of the Crown and many hapu of Ngati Porou will today sign the Whakamana Accord and Relationship Instruments set out in the amended deed and witness the Third Reading of the Nga Rohe Moana o Nga Hapu o Ngati Porou Bill (No.2).

Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou chairman Selwyn Parata says the passage of the bill is the culmination of 16 years of negotiation with the Crown, which stemmed from the controversial Foreshore and Seabed Act in 2004.

“Ngati Porou mana over many of its coastal areas has been constant and undisrupted,” he said. “But when we saw the harsh legislation taking shape in 2003 we decided to take matters into our own hands.”

“We have been fortunate to have three outstanding ministers to work with from both sides of the political spectrum.

“Hon Sir Michael Cullen, Hon Chris Finlayson and Hon Andrew Little ensured the Crown stayed the course......
See full article HERE

Tiriti approach part of climate change demands
The group organising tomorrow’s second school strike for climate change action wants Te Tiriti o Waitangi to be part of any solution.

Demands being made include:

* that any change must uphold democratic systems and obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi,

There has to be meaningful consultation, there has to be co-development between Māori and Pākehā, they have to really take into consideration the concepts of kaitiakitanga, manaakitanga and all of that kind of stuff," Ms Handford says......
See full article HERE

Local Focus: 'Captain Cook was a mass murderer'
But indigenous rights activist, Tina Ngata is calling for a boycott.

"I see him as a murderer, a mass murderer," she said. "I see him as a tool of a white supremacist machine of imperial expansionism. And I see him as a white supremacist.

"He was a very cruel man, even by the standard of those times. It was noted that he became excessively cruel, particularly in his later journals, and he is prone to torture and abduction."....
See full article HERE

New Māori look for Auckland Int. Airport
The departures section in the country's largest airport has had a revamp and Dr Johnson Witehira was one of three artists who gave the space a Māori look through design and illustration.

Witehira says that over the past thirty years more organisations have started using Māori designs in their structures.

"I think the airport, just seeing that we are all wanting to connect to te ao Māori, this is an early stage for them, but a really big and important move."

"It was natural from us as the gateway to the country to include Māori design elements throughout the terminal expansion."

Witehira hopes that these designs will take travellers on their own journey through parts of the Māori world, as they wait to take their venture into the outside world......
See full article HERE

Waimakariri proposes official iwi involvement in Civil Defence
Official iwi involvement in Civil Defence emergencies is proposed for the Waimakariri district following the success of a similar model during the Nelson wildfires earlier this year.

The Waimakariri District Council proposed establishing mana whenua as a specific part of its emergency response and recovery structures following a hui at Tuahiwi Marae last week......
See full article HERE

Local iwi concerned over 'irreversible harm' to Whakatāne aquifer after Chinese water bottling plant granted consent
Representatives of Te Rūnanga ō Ngāti Awa are being cross-examined in the Environment Court at Mataatua Marae on the fourth day of hearings.

Te Rūnanga and Sustainable Otakiri are appealing consent for Creswell New Zealand to expand water bottling production at Otakiri Springs......
See full article HERE

Rangatiratanga key to kaupapa funding
The kaupapa Māori funding promised in the $320 million Wellbeing Budget package for tackling sexual and family violence needs to go to Māori organisations, not to propping up government departments.

"A fundamental principle of kaupapa Māori is tino rangatiratanga and mana motuhake and what that means is everything kaupapa Māori providers are doing is about ensuring the building of capacity in our communities to be self-determining in our own healing processes," Dr Pihama says......
See full article HERE

PhD Scholarship - How might Māori evaluation work best in policy-making?
This scholarship is for Māori students with a passion for research and evaluation. Ideally, they would be interested in the role of evaluation in public service, but they may actually have a particular Māori-focused programme in mind that they are keen to evaluate......
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

23 May  2019

Māori employed by DHBs must double in the next 15 years – report
The number of Māori employed by DHBs must double in the next 15 years if it's going to meet the needs of the country's most vulnerable people, according to a recent report by health workforce development agency Kia Ora Hauora.

That was the impetus for a student tour of Wellington Hospital's simulation centre, which sought to inspire the next generation of Māori doctors.

About 60 young Māori spent the day there learning how to recognise medical tools and injuries, and keep scared, vulnerable patients calm.....
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/389701/maori-employed-by-dhbs-must-double-in-the-next-15-years-report

Kaitiaki: Name of Harbourmaster’s New Boat Revealed
“Kaitiaki” was revealed today as the name chosen for the Harbourmaster’s new boat. The reveal was part of a naming ceremony at Back Beach, with councillors and stakeholders in attendance.

Kaitiaki means guardian or caretaker. The name was selected from over 100 community suggestions by the Otago Regional Council (ORC) and local iwi......
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1905/S00470/kaitiaki-name-of-harbourmasters-new-boat-revealed.htm

$93m Treaty settlement in limbo
The $93 million, 9000-hectare Treaty of Waitangi Settlement for Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tamaki Nui-a-Rua is in limbo seven months after the settlement trust announced strong iwi support for accepting the deal.

The Waitangi Tribunal granted two resumption hearings in December which have stalled the settlement process and a final decision may not be known until March next year.......
https://times-age.co.nz/93m-treaty-settlement-in-limbo/

Ngāti Awa leader honoured at Goverment House

An actor and a tohunga have been honoured at Government House in Auckland.

A leader of his people, Pouroto Ngaropo (Ngāti Awa) who has dedicated thirty years of his life to ensure Māori customs and traditions are honoured across the entire Bay of Plenty regional government.

Ngaropo was the only Māori recipient to receive a Queen's Service Medal that day, for his services to Māori and governance.....
https://www.maoritelevision.com/news/national/ngati-awa-leader-honoured-goverment-house

Kaupapa recognition good but money better
The director of the only kaupapa Māori service for people who commit sexual violence has welcomed acknowledgement of kaupapa Māori in the Wellbeing Budget, but says the money on offer falls well short of the need.

He says it appears about $7 million will be set aside for kaupapa Māori, and the bulk of the money will continue to go to mainstream services which don’t serve Māori well.

"You’ve got to have a clear understanding of both western practice but more importantly of Māori identity. Evidence tells us identity is one of the biggest parts of reducing recidivism and reoffending," Mr Smith says......
https://www.waateanews.com/waateanews/x_news/MjE3NzM/Kaupapa-recognition-good-but-money-better

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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

22 May  2019

Ban on prisoners voting ‘humiliation’ of Māori, Tribunal told
The Waitangi Tribunal has heard the ban on prisoners voting is underpinned by racism and disproportionately impacts on Māori.

An urgent inquiry into the rights of prisoners to vote is underway in Wellington. The former National government banned all prisoners from voting in 2010.

She is calling on the voting ban to be removed and believed that broader action needed to be taken to end the disproportionately aimed against Māori within the criminal justice system.

Lawyer Annette Sykes, who representing three claimants, told the Tribunal the crown had failed to protect the ability of Māori to exercise tino rangatiratanga.......
See full article HERE
More on the above here > Māori solutions needed to reduce prison numbers
And here > Prisoner voting a Treaty right

Scientists look to mātauranga Māori to slow biodiversity decline
A BioHeritage Challenge conference has heard that mātauranga Māori could hold the key to reducing the decline in New Zealand's biodiversity. Scientists and iwi representatives gathered in Wellington to work together to find new ways to protect the country's flora and fauna.

The science sector is taking a leaf from the indigenous knowledge workbook, both groups uniting to preserve biodiversity for future generations.

Ngāti Hine and Ngāpuhi kaumātua Tohe Ashby says, "I don't really agree with some of their views. But we [people] are connected [to the environment] thorough our lineage, because we are the youngest children of Tāne.”

Iwi representatives say indigenous knowledge and genealogy hold answers mainstream science would otherwise not be able to access.......
See full article HERE

Matariki Achieving Excellence in Maori Health
We want to celebrate everything our people do to improve whānau experience, eliminate health inequities for Māori or develop the Māori workforce.......
See full article HERE

Small steps to start kaupapa Māori service
"It’s not about having a Māori arm or a few workers who identify as Māori or whatever. It’s actually about the whole I guess philosophy of the organisation that’s providing the services, the control of the organisation that’s providing the services," Ms Kapua says......
See full article HERE

Ambitious plan to secure Maori jobs in the economy
The New Zealand Maori Council has released its ambitious plan for both the future of the technical and vocational education sector and Maori employment in the 21st century. Matthew Tukaki, Executive Director of Council and Chair of the National Maori Authority has said that its time to take reform seriously but also not to miss the opportunity to empower Maori to move from the low wage growth side of the economy into high yield, high growth sectors such as digital, online and technology focused sectors:.....
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

21 May  2019

Violence money best targeted at ground forces
The executive director of the New Zealand Māori Council wants to see more of the Government’s $320 million package to counter family and sexual violence being spent on building up Māori social service organisations.

Matthew Tukaki says Māori are dealing with the consequences of 60 years of state intervention in which something like 70 percent of children placed in care have been Māori .

"They need money to fund wages which are resources on the ground. Funding tens of millions of dollars into an awareness campaign, that will either be driven by MSD or the Heath Promotion Agency......
See full article HERE

Racism underpins the prisoner voting blanket ban
Former retired Probation officer Tom Hemopo and Māori Climate Commissioner, Donna Awatere-Huata are due to give evidence this afternoon at the Māori Prisoner’s Voting Inquiry at the Waitangi Trbunal in Wellington.

Mr Hemopo and Mrs Awatere-Huata claim that the blanket prisoner voting ban discriminates against Maori and is a breach of their tino rangatiratanga and right to participate in the Māori Electoral voting process.

Mrs Awatere-Huata says that “Racism operates at many levels in NZ and this piece of legislation has taken away Māori people’s right to vote since the 1850’s. My evidence talks about the racist attitudes of the Crown towards Māori, the history of racism and colonisation, but more importantly what needs to be done to change those attitudes.”....
See full article HERE

Māori fashion designers urged to protect Papatuānuku
Designer Misty Ratima, of Ngāti Rongomaiwahine, is concerned about the impact that fast fashion has on Papatuānuku, the environment.

"Fast fashion has been something that has been running rampant with the environment. The reason for that is because we are asking for fast turnaround of clothing and at a very cheap rate," says Ratima.......
See full article HERE

Shane Jones rubbishes claim colonialism is to blame for family violence
Last year a report by the chief science adviser for the justice sector Ian Lambie said colonialism had an "inter-generational effect on Māori and Māori are disproportionately affected by family violence combined with other negative social effects of racism, discrimination and dislocation".

"I say to our Maori people - this sort of carry-on, don't go blaming colonialism; don't join the chorus of idiocy I'm seeing on the East Coast where the artists don't want Captain Cook celebrated because they're responsible for family violence on the East Coast. That's pathetic. I hate that soup of excuses."....
See full article HERE

He's British, middle-aged, and is on a mission to strengthen te reo Māori
Having moved to Aotearoa to play rugby, Mark Bradley now has a job at Te Taura Whiri i te reo Māori. He's tasked with building a plan to strengthen te reo, a cause he's devoted himself to for more than half his life......
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

20 May  2019

'More Māori needed in newsrooms' - Top Māori affairs reporter
The supreme winner of the Māori Affairs reporter award at last night's Voyager Media Awards says more Māori are needed in the media sector to tell our stories. This comes as the Māori media sector is currently under government review.

Miriama Kamo was announced as Māori affairs winner at the Voyager Media Awards, which celebrate some of Aotearoa's top storytellers across digital, television, radio and print.

“We need more Māori in our newsrooms, anecdotally it's around 5-8%, which is obviously well off the mark of our general population. So, it's vital, if you truly want to reflect who we are as a nation, to increase our pool. But, if there is a bar to be met, what I would say is please don't raise it, don't make it hard for us to get over, equally don't patronise us by lowering it, hold the bar for us.".....
See full article HERE

'Not one more baby': Māori leaders call for change at Oranga Tamariki
Oranga Tamariki says the physical and emotional wellbeing of children taken into its care would shock and sadden most New Zealanders.

Most are from backgrounds involving serious factors which can include exposure to family violence, parental drug and alcohol abuse, sexual and physical abuse and chronic neglect.

But some Māori are challenging the approach Oranga Tamariki is taking in the removal of babies from the maternity wards.....
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

19 May  2019

Māori input essential for NZ marine conservation - US Professor
Professor Gary Libecap of the University of California says not including indigenous peoples in environmental affairs is a mistake.

"If you really wanted to protect the resource for the long term you really want to involve everybody who knows a lot about it, who has a great stake in it and not including indigenous peoples is an error."

Tuuta says, "We're hopeful that moving forward these sorts of discussions would begin between Treaty partners around how things should move ahead.".....
See full article HERE

Replace the gang call with the ancient call - Ngāti Kahungunu chair
Chair of Ngāti Kahungunu Ngahiwi Tomoana is encouraging a local gang to celebrate their unique Māori identity and learn their traditional language and customs. The call follows a patching ceremony of gang members on Te Mata Peak in Hastings, which Tomoana refers to as a sacred place.

Relinquish the gang call and replace it with the ancient call, says Tomoana......
See full article HERE

$12m to support Māori and Pacific projects to reduce rheumatic fever
New plans to tackle high rates of rheumatic fever among Māori and Pacific people have been announced the Government.

Associate Minister of Health Jenny Salesa revealed the plan at a pre-budget announcement in south Auckland's Ōtāhuhu on Saturday.

Salesa said the money from the Wellbeing Budget would support Māori and Pacific communities to develop their own community-led initiatives in the fight against the preventable disease.
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

18 May  2019

Māori make up more than over 40% of Auckland homeless - report
A full report of the first city-wide census of people living rough in Auckland shows Māori are over-represented among the region's homeless.

Its findings show of the 800 people estimated to have been living without shelter that night, nearly 43 percent of were Māori, with a similar number of Māori living in temporary accommodation.

Māori make up just 11 percent of Auckland's population......
See full article HERE

Māori need to call each other out about child abuse - Māori council executive director
Māori need to step up and get involved in solving New Zealand's horrific child abuse statistics, the head of the Māori council says.

He wants to see change in the system, whanau and the community to ensure fewer children face abuse......
See full article HERE

Whaitua Committee elects Co-chairs for water work
Te Whanganui-a-Tara Whaitua Committee has elected two ‘Co-chairs’ to reflect the Committee’s commitment to taking a partnership approach with Mana Whenua.

Co-chair Kara Puketapu-Dentice describes this as “an important step forward that acknowledges not only the connection Mana Whenua have to their waterways but also the responsibility we have to ensuring the mana and mauri of the waters is upheld and enhanced for future generations”.

Whaitua is the Māori word for space or catchment.....
See full article HERE

Rangatahi reo new ministry focus
Te Puni Kōkiri and the Māori language commission Te Taura Whiri are working together on a reo for rangatahi strategy, including regional workshops and a national youth reo summit.

"So you know how do we make it quick and snazzy how can rangatahi see te reo is of today's time, not just of past time or just on the marae, so looking forward to the work Te Māngai Pāho will invest in to enable us to realise the vision of Kia māhorahora te reo - Māori language that is seen and heard, everywhere, every way, spoken by everyone, every day," Ms Hippolite says.......
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

17 May  2019

Auckland Transport and TSI pledge to create job opportunities for Māori and Pasifika
Over 30 jobs will be created for Māori and Pacific people as building on the second largest transport project in Auckland begins.

A partnership between Auckland Transport and The Southern Initiative (TSI) is looking to create equal opportunities for Māori and Pacific businesses and increase employment in low socio-economic groups.

The union will be part of the $1.4b Eastern Busway project, after an agreement was made with the prime contractor for over 30 jobs to be created for South and West Aucklanders, Māori and Pacific people.......
See full article HERE

Gangs, P and state pēpi uplifts a perverse cycle
Ngāti Kahungunu chair Ngahiwi Tomoana says a mass gang initiation ceremony on Te Mata Peak and Oranga Tamariki attempting to snatch a baby from Hawkes Bay Hospital are two sides of the same story.

"Two, three generations later the mokopuna of the original gang leaders are running the current gangs, peddling P to our mothers, our poorest communities, who are then having their babies uplifted. It's a perverse connection to our whakapapa but it's state-led and we're finding an iwi Māori response in this time," Mr Tomoana says.......
See full article HERE

Council's move to have committee members picked by iwi labelled 'worse than racist'
The Otago Regional Council has backed a controversial measure which will allow Ngāi Tahu to hand pick two candidates to sit on the council's policy committee.

But the proposal did not pass without incident, as it sparked a heated and at times fractious debate among councillors.

Councillors expressed surprise in the public's interest and vitriol in the matter, which councillor Michael Deaker explained was simply a "steady progression over the last 20 years of this council building a relationship with Ngāi Tahu".

Mr Laws said the measure did not favour Māori, it favoured only those associated with the rūnanga.

"Eighteen months ago you rejected Māori wards - every single one of you around this table and you said one of the reasons was you can't have racial preference.

"Bang. We are going to have two iwi representatives on the policy committee and they're going to have voting rights and we're going to pay them. There's no logical consistency there.".....
See full article HERE

Overseas-trained teachers get Māori lens on the world
Overseas teachers say workshops held recently outlining Te Reo Māori and tikanga were very valuable to help them build the cultural knowledge and understandings they need to teach successfully in our schools.....
See full article HERE

Māori population bigger and older
Stats New Zealand estimates the total Maori population in New Zealand at the end of December was 744,900.

That’s an increase of 10,600 over the year.

The median age was 24.6 years, also slightly older than 2017.

The total number of males was 363,900, with a median age of 23.1 years, and females totalled 381,000 with a median age of 26.1 years.

The total New Zealand population is set to pass 5 million people in the next few weeks.
See full article HERE

Tourism strategy needs partnerships for success as Conservation and Tourism ministers join hands
At a panel discussion prior to the announcement, Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick and Te Tatau o Te Arawa chairman Te Taru White spoke on their partnership between local government and iwi.

White said although it could be a challenging journey working together, it was a "no brainer" that Te Arawa was involved in creating authentic experiences in the city.....
See full article HERE

Te Tau Ihu nurses embrace Māori input
Nurses from the upper South Island are holding their annual convention in Nelson today, discussing the role of nurses in delivering heath for all.

"Culture is integrated and certainly challenged throughout the whole delivery of this programme today but also you can see there is a realness in the way Māori are seen to be consulted and there is real value in what they add to the delivery of any service change, any programme innovation, so I think this region is doing pretty well." Ms Nuku says......
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

16 May  2019

Otago Regional Council to appoint iwi members
Iwi representatives will be appointed to an Otago Regional Council committee despite heated opposition among some councillors.

Councillors voted seven to three today to approach local runaka to appoint two representatives on its policy committee, joining 12 elected councillors.

The decision was supported by Mr Woodhead, Cr Kempton, Cr Doug Brown, Cr Robertson, Cr Lawton, Cr Deaker and Cr Bryan Scott.

It was opposed by crs Laws, Sam Neill and Graeme Bell.....
See full article HERE

Waitangi Tribunal inquiring into Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011
The Waitangi Tribunal is currently inquiring into whether the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011, and associated Crown acts and policy regarding te takutai moana, are inconsistent with the Treaty of Waitangi. >

The Tribunal is considering the extent to which Māori customary rights holders in te takutai moana are protected by the 2011 legislation and Crown policy. The inquiry is part of the Tribunal’s kaupapa inquiry programme which is hearing claims on nationally significant issues which affect Māori across Aotearoa.

This is the latest challenge to the Crown regarding regulation of te takutai moana / the foreshore and seabed.....
See full article HERE

Tribal leader rejects 'sanitised' agenda for UN visit
A tribal leader of Te Whakatohea, an Eastern Bay of Plenty Iwi in a prolonged dispute with the New Zealand government over Treaty recognition and settlement negotiations, has today criticised the handling of the United Nations Secretary-General's visit to Aotearoa which is due to finish this afternoon.

He ought to have been advised to decline any visit to Aotearoa that did not include a discussion with tribal leaders on the matter of the Treaty and our relations with the Crown.

"A visit by Mr Gutteres that does not include an audience with Hapu leaders on the problem of colonial predation and Treaty settlement negotiations appears to be a high-handed collusion of both the United Nations and the Wellington government to omit the authentic voices of the nation......
See full article HERE

Hawke's Bay housing crisis: Iwi has goal to build 500 houses in four years, three times what Govt is planning
A Hawke's Bay iwi is a step closer to fulfilling an IwiBuild plan it believes will help solve a the region's housing crisis, but need one last push from Government to get it over the line.

Ngati Kahungunu Chairman Ngahiwi Tomoana said its plan was to build hundreds of new homes over the next few years, but it needs the resourcing from Government to put it into motion.....
See full article HERE

Education Organisations in Wellington - Maintain and repair Mäori customary nets using Mäori customary methods
There are 5 Education Organisations in Wellington region with consent to assess for the standard Maintain and repair Māori customary nets using Māori customary methods....
See full article HERE

Ngāi Tahu share climate change ideas with UN Sec-Gen
Ngāi Tahu hosted United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in his last meeting in Aotearoa before he heads to the Pacific Islands for further UN discussions.

The iwi will put forward what they're doing to combat climate change in the hope that ideas and initiatives may be taken up by the UN.

Ngāi Tahu spent almost an hour addressing one of the most influential leaders in the world. They gave insight into their environmental objectives and protections.

"Our climate change strategy requires our commercial entities to develop climate change action plans," says Lisa...
See full article HERE

Don Brash and Māori Council open to having 'cup of tea' after trading insults
Don Brash and New Zealand Māori Council executive director Matthew Tukaki say they're ready to meet for a cup of tea after hurling barbs at one another.

Tukaki said said the Human Rights Commission had been in touch and had assigned a case officer.

Tukaki said he had no desire to give Hobson's Pledge oxygen but was "more than happy to share a cup of tea" with Brash face-to-face.......
See full article HERE

Maori Council Calls for a National Infrastructure Commission
NZ Maori Council Calls on Parliament to Establish a National Infrastructure Commission – the time is right …

The New Zealand Maori Council has backed the establishment of New Zealand Infrastructure Commission calling the idea long overdue and who’s day has come. Councils Executive Director Matthew Tukaki has said that Infrastructure is the corner stone of a future Maori and New Zealand economy (Tukaki is also Chair of the New Zealand Maori Councils National Taskforce for Access to Industry and the Economy”......
See full article HERE

More room for mātauranga Māori in NCEA revamp
Ensuring equal status for Mātauranga Māori is another important dimension of the proposed changes and fits well with the other proposals for bringing the qualifications up to speed for the 21st century......
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

15 May  2019

Appointing iwi representatives an attack on democracy
Democracy Action is very concerned by Otago Regional Council’s move to appoint two Ngāi Tahu representatives to the Council, with full voting rights on the Council’s powerful Policy Committee.

Democracy Action Chairman, Lee Short, says:

“Ngāi Tahu are big business. The potential for conflicts of interest to arise are too great to ignore. To have representatives of a significant commercial entity appointed to serve their own interests is a very serious and unwelcome departure from our democratic and egalitarian principles”.

“Councillors would be acting with no mandate from the citizens of Otago. Such a move must be put to the people to decide whether iwi representation on council is in the best interests of the district.”
See full article HERE
More here > Otago Council should reject voting tribal appointees
And here > Reaction mixed to ORC seats for iwi

Māori deaf community hoping to connect more with their marae, tikanga
Deaf Youth leader Eric Matthews says, "We're hoping for a future where Maōri deaf are able to develop waiata so that hearing Māori are able to learn...the beautiful flowing signs that we use when we waiata, our facial expressions."

Sign language became an official language of New Zealand in 2006. With only about 110 interpreters, Tū Tangata Turi would like to encourage more Māori to take up the challenge.

"The Māori deaf board is looking to engage with the Māori Language Commission to develop ways of Māori deaf and Māori hearing working together in partnership." .....
See full article HERE

Review reveals 'challenges that Māori media organisations face'
A review of the Māori media sector has found they receive significantly lower budgets to produce content compared to other media, but any decisions about its future will not be made until the end of the year.

It received funding from three main sources from 2017 to 2018, including $19 million from Vote Māori Development, $16m from Te Māngai Paho and additional income from advertising.

However, any decisions about the future of the Māori media sector will be announced at the end of the year.......
See full article HERE

Ngāti Porou lawyer, business leader honoured with knighthood
A lawyer, scholar and business leader with a passion for Māori development will be honoured as a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit today for services to business and Māori....
See full article HERE

New plan adopted for managing Motueka's parks and reserves
The lowland forest at Brooklyn Recreation Reserve will be extended under the new Motueka Ward Reserve Management Plan, which was adopted last week by the Tasman District Council.

An additional key change was also added: "Council works in partnership with iwi/Māori, community groups, other organisations, neighbours and volunteers to implement the objectives and policies of this plan.".....
See full article HERE

Buy from Māori business conference call
The lack of specific measures to support Māori businesses will be discussed at a conference in Auckland today.

The Southern Initiative has been working with Auckland Council and its council-owned organisations to change their procurement practices to include specific opportunities for Māori and Pacific businesses, and to outline specific social and environmental outcomes in their procurement.......
See full article HERE

Tāmaki Collective explores Oranga Tamariki partnership
Māori iwi and social service providers in Auckland are keen to form a partnership with Oranga Tamariki to give them more visibility of tamariki Māori in care.

The collective will work on monitoring mechanisms and how so set up mātua whāngai-style support so tamariki can be cared for within wider whānau or hapū networks.......
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

14 May  2019

Cr Laws condemns iwi-only seats for Otago Regional Council
The proposal of Otago Regional Council (ORC) senior staff to give local iwi two (2) voting and paid seats on the ORC’s powerful policy committee, “is so privileged, and so obviously racist, that it calls into question the fundamental principles of democracy in Otago.”

On this Wednesday, 15 May 2019, the ORC will receive a senior executive management paper that recommends that two positions on the council’s policy committee be reserved exclusively for iwi (read Otakau runanga) representatives; that they be accorded full speaking and voting rights; that they be paid on the same pro rata basis as elected councillors; and that those positions be appointed by the local runanga and sit on the very next ORC policy committee meeting.

“ It’s an extraordinary assault upon democracy. It is a recommendation that embraces all the PC nonsense of our age but misrepresents both logic and law in advancing such racial privilege.”.....
See full article HERE

Maori paying for treaty settlements
In 2018, just $20 million was paid out in Treaty settlements. A new report shows annual tax taken from Maori via their consumption of tobacco, alcohol and gambling was $1.1 billion. If you do the math, last year’s Treaty settlement total was less than 2% of that tax amount.

To conclude, Dr Glover said, “it’s time the excess tobacco tax, that is, the extra amount that Māori disproportionately pay, is distributed to Iwi to reduce smoking prevalence. This should be quite separate from Treaty settlements.”.....
See full article HERE
More on the above here > NZIER confirms Māori being ripped off by Government

Fears tourism providers exploiting Māori culture for profit
New Zealand still has a long way to go to properly value Māori culture and language, tourism operators say.

Cultural tourism has increased dramatically over the past few years with more Māori businesses and experiences offered around the country.

But there are concerns some may be focused more on profits than authenticity......
See full article HERE

Removal of fees and a stronger NCEA
Families of secondary students will no longer have to pay fees for NCEA and NZ Scholarship, in one of a raft of changes announced today to strengthen the qualification and pave the way for more young people to succeed.

“Improving support for students to undertake NCEA through Māori-medium education is long overdue.

“The default choice that many whanau face is to revert to English-medium schooling at secondary level. The Government has already announced more investment to recruit and train teachers fluent in Te reo Māori. And we’ll ensure a greater range of teaching materials is developed so that mātauranga Māori and te ao Māori have parity within the NCEA qualification, and within our schools and kura,” Chris Hipkins said.....
See full article HERE

Captain Cook 250-year commemoration to tell Māori side of history - Minister Kelvin Davis
Commemorations of Captain Cook's arrival in New Zealand are an "opportunity" to acknowledge Māori suffering, Māori-Crown Relations Minister Kelvin Davis says.

Rather than denigrating Cook's actions, Mr Davis said he wanted to balance European histories by focusing on the Māori side of the story.

"[Cook] did arrive in New Zealand, he did a number of things when he got here that, certainly, Māori have not forgotten and we still feel the pain of and I believe this is an opportunity for our Māori story to be told properly.

"We should just grasp that opportunity ... to make sure people know what happened and we're still suffering the consequences of many of those encounters."......
See full article HERE

Strong public support to remove contentious Te Mata Peak track
Hastings District Council's plans to remove a controversial walking track up Te Mata Peak have gained strong public support.

Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said ninety percent of public submissions support completely removing the track.

On 11 June, independent commissioners will hear the council's application for resource consent to remove the track built by Craggy Range winery and to restore the landscape.

Iwi have regarded Te Mata Peak as a sacred mountain for 1000 years and there were pā sites around the mountain, said a cultural report by iwi organisation Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga.......
See full article HERE

Northland father studies connections between education and the Māori lunar calendar
Northland student and father Tamati Rakena is set to further his passion for mātauranga Māori after winning a $24,000 scholarship to study towards a Master of Education degree at the University of Auckland.

Rakena, of Te Rarawa and Ngāti Hine, was one of 14 selected as a recipient of the Kupe Leadership Scholarship.

As part of his studies, Rakena is researching the connection between education and the maramataka, or Māori lunar calendar.

He thinks the maramataka should become a part of the curriculum, in mainstream schools and kura kaupapa Māori.

"Hopefully, I’m able to implement or plant the seed of the importance that the maramataka has had on Māori culture for centuries and the ongoing effects that it could have.".....
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 and HERE and HERE and HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.

13 May  2019

Financial disputes schemes failing Maori and Pasifika
The government-approved disputes schemes to which people wronged by a bank, insurer, or lender can appeal for help are hearing too few complaints from Māori and Pasifika New Zealanders.

When Dr Carla Houkamau from the University of Auckland evaluated the responses of a small sample of Māori participants in financial capability courses she found some people were deterred from engaging with banks because they saw them as racist.

Some wonder whether there's a cultural aspect to willingness to complain......
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/112528545/financial-disputes-schemes-failing-maori-and-pasifika

New Zealand government announces marine protection plan for coast of South Island
DOC and Fisheries NZ were working with Kāi Tahu, because the iwi was interested in helping manage marine protected areas in the region, she said......
See full article HERE

Plans to keep sculpture that challenges visitors to Waiheke
The bronze sculpture by Waiheke Island artist Chris Bailey, called Te Werowero, was installed at Matiatia ferry terminal as part of the Sculpture on the Gulf exhibition in March.

Dan Harrop, who has lived on Waiheke for six years, saw the sculpture and thought it was too beautiful to only be there for a few weeks.

The sculpture is intended to act as a kaitiaki or guardian for the island, which welcomes visitors and challenges them to respect the island's culture, wāhi tapu, and fragile natural environment, Mr Harrop said.

It will cost $50,000 to keep the sculpture and Auckland Transport has offered to pay half, matching dollar for dollar on the fundraising campaign......
See full article HERE

The Auckland hapū taking control of whānau health
Auckland hapū Ngāti Whatua Orākei is turning to private health insurance to remove the barriers its people face in the public health system.

It comes as the Waitangi Tribunal examines why the public health system is failing Māori.

A year ago Ngāti Whātua Orākei partnered with providers Nib to offer health insurance for all its people. Anahera Rawiri is helping to lead the rollout of the scheme through Whai Rawa - the financial arm of the hapū.

"We tried to take control of our destiny - what I would say is that we're here.....
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. Older news items can be found below: HERE and HERE and HERE and HERE and HERE and HERE and
HERE  and HERE  and HERE and HERE.


No comments: