Pages

Saturday, November 9, 2019

Breaking Views Update: Week of 3.11.19







Saturday November 9, 2019

News:
Judicial legitimacy lies in a focus on diversity, says Chief Justice
A fully diverse judiciary is important to the quality of the substantive law. This is because the path that judges have walked through life shapes how they will and can develop the law, Chief Justice Dame Helen Winkelmann says.

Māori are underrepresented in our judiciary and this is cause for concern given the critical issues that remain to be worked out in the area of Treaty obligations and the place of tikanga in our law. It is a troubling reality that an overwhelmingly pakeha judiciary deals with a predominately Māori cohort of defendants.

It is also important for the legitimacy of the New Zealand judiciary that judges receive education in tikanga Māori and are offered support in acquiring basic skills in Te Reo Māori, Dame Helen said.

"Knowledge of tikanga Māori, or Māori custom, is essential knowledge for judging in New Zealand. Tikanga Māori forms part of the values of the common law available to be weighed by judges when deciding cases before them."

Judicial education alone will not be enough if tikanga is to find its rightful place in the law. Lawyers need a sufficient understanding of tikanga concepts to identify and make the arguments. The next challenge then is for the law schools, the New Zealand Law Society, and other professional bodies to ensure adequate education is offered in relation to tikanga, she said......
See full article HERE

Waikato River waka rides part of new Hamilton venture
Paddling a waka on the Waikato River, and taking part in raranga weaving could soon be a reality as tourism group Aotearoa Experience looks to expand its annual Haka festival into a full-time venture.

The Haka Māori Cultural Experience is now an annual event at Hamilton Gardens on the banks of the river. It allows visitors to experience authentic Māori arts and culture and is part of the Waikato River Festival.

As part of the expansion, a Māori tourism centre is being planned, possibly in Peacocke opposite Hamilton Gardens. Waikato Tainui is in discussions with Hamilton City Council over the development of a centre, with the plans included in the Hamilton Gardens Masterplan, which requires sign-off from the new city council.....
See full article HERE

The Kāpiti Coast District Council confirmed its governance structure and committee memberships for the next three years, at its first formal meeting today.
The Strategy and Operations Committee will be chaired by Councillor James Cootes with the Mayor, all Councillors and a Māori appointed member with voting rights as members......
See full article HERE

Key roles chosen on new-look Horizons council
Horizons regional council entered a new dawn as it sat with six new members and began its second meeting with a karakia and te reo Māori greeting.

The addition of te reo Māori is just one of the initiatives new Horizons Regional Council chairwoman Rachel Keedwell intends.......
See full article HERE

Mayor Goff keeps potential critics busy
Auckland mayor Phil Goff has taken a new approach to his councillors for his second term, sharing out tasks to new portfolio heads.

New councillor Angela Dalton has been put in charge of the Māori outcomes portfolio.

Mr Goff says given the high percentage of Māori in her ward, the former Papakura-Manurewa Local Board chair wants more focused oversight of what the council is delivering for Māori.

"It doesn't detract, it actually complements the Independent Māori Statutory Board because she would be a contact person working alongside the board and our team at Te Waka Anga Mua to make sure when we say we're going to invest $60 million over this long term plan in upgrading our maraes,.....
See full article HERE

National MP says benefit cuts could be good for Māori, strengthen whānau
National MP Joanne Hayes says some Maori could end up better off if their welfare payments were reduced - claims condemned by the Māori Council .

The MP said social welfare had however not necessarily proved a good thing for Māori.

Māori Council director Matthew Tukaki said cutting the income of vulnerable whānau would leave their children hungry, and Mrs Hayes' comments were off the mark.......
See full article HERE

Propaganda:
Tuia 250 route tweaked after Waikare objects to being left out

The value of journalism in … a safe and democratic society

The man with no office: Waikato DHB cultural linchpin Hemi Curtis

Connectedness, collaboration and openness key to leadership, symposium told

Tuia 250: Māori give officials fierce and passionate reaction in Northland's Waitangi

How NZ’s colonial government misused laws to crush non-violent dissent at Parihaka

This Breaking Views Update monitors race relations in the media on a weekly basis. A summary of new material being added is emailed out during the week - to subscribe (or unsubscribe) to the mailout, please use the form at the top of the Breaking Views sidebar. If you would like to send Letters to the Editor in response to any of these articles, most media addresses can be found HERE.

Friday November 8, 2019

News:Police launch strategy to reduce Māori re-offending by 25 per cent
The police have set an ambitious new goal to reduce the rate of re-offending among Māori by 25 per cent in the next five years.

It's one of many targets set out in their new Māori strategy - Te Huringa o Te Tai - launched at Pipitea Marae in Wellington last night.

Māori make up 51 per cent of the prison population, 66 per cent of the number of young people arrested, and more than half of those warned or charged following police pursuits......
See full article HERE

Māori carving to strengthen ties between Taranaki firefighters and iwi
Strengthening ties between Taranaki firefighters and iwi have taken another step forward with the unveiling of a traditional Māori carving at the New Plymouth Fire Station.

The pare, carved by Jim Cassidy of Ngāti Te Whiti, now hangs above the station's entrance and signifies Fire and Emergency New Zealand's commitment to working with Māori......
See full article HERE

Concerns continue to fester in connection with new subdivision in New Plymouth
Preliminary work is under way at the site of an iwi-owned subdivision in New Plymouth, but district council officials are continuing to talk to nearby residents about their ongoing concerns.

The one-hectare section of residentially zoned land on Record St in Fitzroy has been named Te Kekeu Park and the work is being undertaken by Te Ātiawa Holdings Ltd Partnerships - the commercial arm of Taranaki's largest iwi.

But disquiet remains among those living nearby, who were not advised of the subdivision after the New Plymouth District Council (NPDC) assessed the application as not requiring public notification........
See full article HERE

State care institutions central to early gang formation - academic
An indigenous studies researcher says the formation of gangs can be traced back to the historical state care of young people, particularly Māori.

Professor Tracey McIntosh from Auckland University gave evidence yesterday to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care between the 1950s and 1990s.

Professor McIntosh spoke of 1975 as an important year in the development of gangs.

She said 80 percent of young boys in youth residences at the time were Māori, and that was important in the start-up of gangs.....
See full article HERE

Oranga Tamariki changes practices after attempted uplift of baby in Hastings
Oranga Tamariki has apologised to a family for trying to uplift a newborn baby, after a report found there were mistakes in how the case was handled.

"I know we have hurt this whānau - and I am truly sorry," Chief executive Graine Moss said on Thursday, as Oranga Tamariki released its practice review into the way staff tried to 'uplift' the baby at Hawke's Bay Hospital in May.

The review found that safety concerns for the baby meant Oranga Tamariki did the right thing to get involved, but mistakes had been made in how Oranga Tamariki worked with the family and other partners.......
See full article HERE

Maori to benefit from free trade deals
The head of a group set up to give Māori input to international trade talks says agreements reached at this month’s East Asia Summit in Bangkok should benefit Māori producers.

"It means that as our farmers, our forestry, our Māori businesses produce a lot of these various products, there higher degree of certainty that through these negotiations our products will have access into these valuable markets," he says.

Chris Insley says while much of the work of the Chine Free Trade Agreement was done before Te Taumata was formed, Maori will have some input into the work done for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership......
See full article HERE

BERL appoints Hillmaré Schulze as their new chief economist
“We want to make a difference by helping people. I have previously delivered significant projects, especially in the Māori economy, including Nga Kaihanga Hou – for Māori future makers, Māori economy reports, change agenda and income equity for Māori.”

She has worked extensively with local government as well as various Māori entities.

She says BERL looks forward to enhancing relationships as preferred provider of economic advice to Federation of Māori Authorities (FOMA) and as principal sponsor of the Society of Local Government Managers (SOLGM)......
See full article HERE

Maori unemployment back to 8%
Employment numbers for the third quarter have come in slightly weaker than expected, but Employment Minister Willie Jackson says there is still a lot to celebrate.

The unemployment rate ticked up 0.3 of a percent to 4.2 percent, and the Maori unemployed rate went from a 10 year low of 7.8 percent up to 8 percent.
See full article HERE

Propaganda:
Restoring the imbalance of Maori perspectives in Aotearoa’s history

Pacific voyaging prowess honoured at historic early arrival

Waka launch marks start of Tuia 250 festivities in the Bay

Thursday November 7, 2019

News:
Local Focus: Diversity brings new faces to councilsThere's a fresh look for Rangitikei District Council and Palmerston North City Council.

"This is, to my knowledge, the first time that we have ever had two councillors signed in in te reo," Rangitīkei mayor Andy Watson announced at the Rangitīkei District Council inauguration.

Rangitīkei District Council has six new councillors. Among them is Tracey Hiroa who brings experience to the table, having sat on a number of iwi advisory committees.

"I've sat on the Assets and Infrastructure Committee as a delegate from the Te Roopu Ahi Kaa group, and I've also sat on the Policy and Planning Committee as the Te Roopu Ahi Kaa delegate."

Another first time Rangitīkei councillor is Waru Panapa from Ratana.

"I was so proud to be led on by the [Ratana] band, and I think it set a tone for how we are going to be moving forward," Panapa said.

"In the past, Ratana has always been quite instrumental in many political areas in this country,........
See full article HERE

Ngā Pou Whirinaki celebrates Māori at Otago
Last month’s Ngā Pou Whirinaki featured four events which celebrated the far-reaching contribution of the University of Otago’s Māori students, staff and scholars......
See full article HERE

Te Huringa o Te Tai - Police Crime Prevention Strategy
"A pathway for Police in leadership with Iwi Māori, to achieve the aspirations of Māori whānau."

I am delighted to be here, in front of a group of people who have long dedicated themselves to the Māori Crown partnership, and to the Māori Police partnership.

Thank you for this opportunity to be with you today to help launch Te Huringa o Te Tai strategy that sets out a pathway for Police in leadership with Iwi Māori, to achieve the aspirations of Māori whānau.

I believe this strategy, based on Turning of the Tide and the hard work of Māori and Police, will continue to be a strong momentum for change. The fact that you are all here today is a testament to how important this is for both Māori and Police......
See full article HERE

New appointment for Taranaki woman following resignation from iwi entity
A Taranaki businesswoman has secured an appointment to an advisory panel which dishes out $40 million in funds each year.

Anne-Marie Broughton will join the six-person Investment Advisory Panel, which will oversee the Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures Fund.

Her appointment was made by Minister of Agriculture Damien O'Connor.

​The new role follows her resignation as kaiwhakahaere (administrator/manager) of Te Kaahui o Rauru in the wake of Employment Relations Authority (ERA) proceedings......
See full article HERE

Kelvin Davis accused of 'atrocious' behaviour and ignoring Treaty obligations
Senior Cabinet Minister Kelvin Davis is being accused of "atrocious" and disrespectful behaviour after he was challenged over the Government's duty to honour Treaty of Waitangi obligations.

But Davis has rejected that, saying the criticism comes from an industry training organisation that he simply disagreed with.

Sam Napia, the chair of Skills Active, said he had a meeting with Davis in April over the Government's proposed overhaul of the vocational education sector......
See full article HERE

Māori Outcomes Lead - Regulatory Services
As the most senior Māori role in the RS your role on the Leadership Team is essential in driving a programme of work to achieve outcomes for mana whenua and mataawaka. You will provide leadership for how RS delivers against agreed priorities in order to progress the Māori Outcomes Framework. You will lead virtual teams within RS and across Council to deliver against agreed outcomes. You will form part of the council’s Māori Outcomes Extended Leadership team that operates across directorates and the Council led by the General Manager Māori Outcomes.....
See full article HERE

Māori claim to Sydney land dismissed by Australia's Federal Court
A Māori group trying to claim land in Sydney has had its case thrown out of Australia's Federal Court.

The Federal Court of Australia has dismissed the hapu's case and ordered it to pay the costs of the proceeding.......
See full article HERE

Propaganda:
New Zealand's migrant boom is good news for Māori. It empowers us

Northland GP calls for greater understanding of ethnic bias

When the regions thrive, Māori thrive

Emergency call-outs drop after te reo Māori safety programme introduced

Three wāhine lawyers are paving the way for those behind them

Tuesday November 5, 2019

News:
'Hugely significant': Court of Appeal rules in controversial Motiti Island decisionA controversial decision validating a proposed protected marine area in Bay of Plenty waters has been heralded as "hugely significant" for New Zealand, but not everyone is happy.

However, Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller said he rejected such findings, saying the decision in his view created a "huge issue" for the Bay and Tauranga area.

"I'm very much opposed to the [decision]. I know there will be many, many recreational fishers appalled by it. I don't think it's right."

Muller said fishing people were having their right to fish where they liked, and where they had traditionally gone to, removed by the decision, which he felt needed to come via the Fisheries Act, not the regional council......
See full article HERE

Paywalls holding back Maori research
An open access advocacy group says a profit-focused approach to academic publishing means taxpayer-funded research that could improve the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders is locked behind paywalls.

Tohatoha NZ chief executive Mandy Henk says there is evidence the system creates specific harms for Māori scholars and scientists.

The Crown also needs to fulfils its commitment as a Treaty partner by living up to the diversity and equity statements made by its universities........
See full article HERE

Mau Whenua wants to turn clock back on Shelly Bay
A group opposing Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust's sale of the last of its land at Shelly Bay says developer Ian Cassels' The Wellington Company doesn't have secure ownership.

Spokesperson Andrew Mepham says Mau Whenua has put caveats on the land as it goes through the High Court to argue the trust representing Taranaki Whānui claimants had no right to sell the land......
See full article HERE

Call for independent hauora authority to embed Māori-led solutions
A parliamentary committee has been urged to recommend an independent hauora authority to tackle health disparities for Māori.

Among the submitters were the National Hauora Coalition, which is also a key claimant in the Waitangi Tribunal Health Services and Outcomes Inquiry.

The coalition's clinical director, Dr Rawiri Jansen, said the current health system was not set up to address causes of inequity for Māori, and the gap continues to widen.

"I think the important thing is we look at the health system and notice that it is organised deliberately in ways which deliver great outcomes for non-Māori - for Pākehā, and if we want to create equity then we have to deliberately organise the health system in order to achieve that." he said.....
See full article HERE

Ihumātao: Heritage NZ proposes bigger Ōtuataua Stonefields area, boosting it to Category 1
Heritage New Zealand is proposing to include the disputed land at Ihumātao in the Ōtuataua Stonefields heritage area and increase its status.

The Crown entity wants to expand the internationally-significant site at Māngere, and increase its heritage rating from Category 2 to Category 1 - the highest level, regarded as a place of "special or outstanding heritage significance".

The new area includes the site of a planned 480-house Fletcher Building development, which has been the focus of sustained protests from mana whenua over the past several years.......
See full article HERE

Green membership supporting kaupapa Maori platforms
As election year looms, Green Party MPs have held a retreat to prepare themselves for the fray.

Co-leader Marama Davis says it's a numbers game, and the Greens want to line up to votes of those what want the most progressive change, whether that be for housing, poverty or cleaning up the environment.

She says Green members drive policy, and they continue to push alignment with kaupapa Māori issues such as protecting Ihumaatao, ending the taking of Māori children into state care, and acknowledging Māori kaitiaki rights over water....
See full article HERE

Britain hopeful of 'close relationship' with iwi following expression of regret over killing of Māori during Cook's landing
Britain's High Commissioner to New Zealand has elaborated on the statement of regret made to Gisborne iwi over the first interaction between Māori and Captain Cook's crew, saying it was made to "build a really close relationship going forward".........
See full article HERE

Maitai Bay Rahui Committee extends invitation to wananga
The rahui was declared in December 2017 by Te Whānau Moana me te Rorohuri hapū, prohibiting the taking of any fish, shellfish, seaweed or other form of marine life. It is reportedly having a positive effect, and the hapu are now looking at extending it for a further three to five years......
See full article HERE

'Bollywood overreaction': Shane Jones pushes back on criticism from Indian community
Asked whether he regretted his comments, Jones on Tuesday said he was being criticised by "activists" and denied the comments had been racist.

"I am not going to have any migrant tell me as a mokopuna of Tai Tokerau, when my people have been here 1000 years, I'm not going to have an activist tell me I'm racist. Ever," he told reporters.

"I am a Māori, I am entitled to talk about these things. I have no influence over immigration policy.".....
See full article HERE

Council fined after 2 million litres of wastewater discharged into Waikato River
The Hamilton City Council has been fined $54,000 for discharging nearly 2 million litres of wastewater into the Waikato River.

Although there were no health or environmental effects reported, the council recognised the discharge was particularly offensive to iwi, the spokesperson said.......
See full article HERE

Debate rages after Whakatane councillor ousted
A recount of votes following a random chance election in the Murupara-Galatea Ward has seen one councillor ousted after just one week and a new one elected.

After the initial vote count, newcomer Hinerangi Goodman and previous seat-holder Alison Silcock were tied.

The stalemate was broken by drawing names out of a hat and Mrs Goodman was declared the winner and sworn in, only to be removed a week later following a recount of votes at Mrs Silcock's request.

Residents of the predominately Māori town have said they are unhappy to be represented by a white woman and that the result would have been different if Mrs Goodman had been the one requesting a vote recount.

Mrs Goodman was the first Māori woman to represent the ward and Mrs Silcock previously angered many in the ward by voting against Maori seats in the last triennium.....
See full article HERE

Waikato researchers awarded $5.6m from Marsden Fund
University of Waikato Vice-Chancellor, Professor Neil Quigley, says receiving these grants reflects the quality and diversity of the University’s research programmes, as well as the impact that Waikato researchers are having across biological science, Māori language and culture in education, economics, and seismic geo-technology.

Professor Mere Berryman has been awarded $841,000 for her proposed research on how the education system in New Zealand and in other colonised countries has overlooked Māori and Indigenous language and culture, by favouring Eurocentric education models and policies.
See full article HERE

Propaganda:
Sport Manawatū boss says Māori culture helping athletes perform at the world's biggest sporting events

China takes heed of Maori tourism experience

Waka's dawn launch heralds new era for Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō

Monday November 5, 2019

News:
Non-elected member gets voting rights on New Plymouth District Council committeeConcerns have been raised about the non-elected member voting on New Plymouth District Council's new committee - but it's not uncommon.

The council's committee restructure was approved last week at the first council meeting of the new term, and sees the Strategy and Operations Committee give voting rights to the non-elected member who is also chair of Te Huinga Taumatua Committee.

At Wednesday's meeting, councillor Murray Chong moved that the voting rights of the non-elected member of Strategy and Operations - who has not been confirmed - be removed, but no one would second the motion.

Councillor Gordon Brown said it was nothing new to have non-members voting on committees.

"The reality is this is becoming common practice amongst many councils across New Zealand these days."

One person voting in a group of 16 to bring a Māori perspective to what the committee was doing was very healthy, he added.

Te Huinga has five nominated iwi representatives with voting rights,....
See full article HERE

Indigenous climate activists hope for new UN conference venue
A ropū of Māori and Pasifika climate campaigners pushing for indigenous voices to be heard on the world stage are hoping a UN climate conference goes ahead after the troubled host nation pulled out.

This year's climate conference was due to be held in Chile, but the president cancelled it on Thursday due to widespread anti-government protest. The government of Spain has since offered to hold the conference in Madrid, which is being considered by the United Nations.

It will be those stories that she aims to raise with other indigenous nations, and New Zealand representatives to ensure that indigenous voices are amplified on the world stage........
See full article HERE

Taranaki resident warns of relying too much on LIM reports
A New Plymouth property owner is urging new home buyers not to rely on Land Information Memorandum (LIM) reports after wrong information got him into a planning wrangle with the district council.

Geoff Leadley said he was misled by an LIM report for a rural property he bought in Brixton, north of New Plymouth, in 2018, which omitted details of a wahi taonga (an area significant to Māori)......
See full article HERE

Inspirational Kai Ora Fund wins Inclusive Growth Award
The Kai Ora Fund – an initiative supporting projects that enable people to grow and eat nutritious, sustainably-grown local food in Northland – has been rewarded with the Commendation for Inclusive Growth at the Economic Development New Zealand 2019 Best Practice Awards.

Since its inception in 2015, 92 projects have been supported through the fund. This year 37 new projects have been funded, with 33 projects led by Māori communities and whānau, resulting in an investment of just under $80,000 this year in hapori Māori.....
See full article HERE

Four of five iwi seats empty at Marlborough District Council
Four of five iwi positions at the Marlborough District Council remain empty, with many of the region's Māori skilled in governance "wrapped up in their own iwi dynamics".

The council's one iwi representative Richard Hunter said iwi were "getting on with their business", but called for them to get on board with wider district issues.

Māori representation was a hot topic in Marlborough's local body elections this year, with the region's youth calling for more iwi leaders around the council table.....
See full article HERE

Motiti residents win 'significant' battle to protect the waters around their island
Environmentalists and residents of a small island are celebrating a "significant" court win in their bid to protect fish and seabirds.

Six elderly kuia and kaumātua from Motiti Island took on the combined might of the Crown, local government, powerful iwi and the commercial fishing industry.

The tiny hapū won, backed by Forest and Bird "groundbreaking" rulings in the Environment and High courts in 2017 that gave local councils powers to regulate fishing to protect native species. But the Government appealed the decision.

Now the Court of Appeal has ruled regional councils can use the Resource Management Act to control fishing to protect biodiversity......
See full article HERE

Closed adoptions a deliberate assimilation policy
One of the submitters to the Royal Commission on Historical Abuse in State and Religious Care has highlighted the damage done around policies of closed adoptions.

Dr Alison Green shared her own situation and linked it to similar policies in Canada.

She says it was a deliberate strategy to take Māori babies out of their home communities and place them with Pākeha families, without allowing them to know who their original families were......
See full article HERE

Site of Riuwaka River drowning blessed by iwi and rāhui lifted
The scene of a drowning in a Nelson river has been blessed by local iwi and a temporary ban on public use has been lifted.

Traditionally Māori would not eat or swim at the site, but visitors have been known to take the plunge into the pools, particularly the Crystal Pool downstream from the resurgence itself......
See full article HERE

Propaganda:
Wellington Mayor 'disappointed' in comments suggesting Hobson's Pledge support

Tuia 250: new lines across the Pacific

Tuia 250: Flotilla heads to Bay of Islands after Whangārei visit concludes

Sunday November 3, 2019

News:
Tasman District Council appoints fulltime kaihautū and chief information officerTe Waari Carkeek describes his new role as a conduit between the Tasman District Council and iwi.

Carkeek, of Ngāti Toa, is the council's kaihautū.

"It's an operational role," he said less than two weeks into the job. "I touch on all bases ... working right across the board with corporate, councillors and front of house."

He would support councillors and staff "and give them timely advice about how to engage" with the eight Te Tau Ihu iwi and Ngāi Tahu.

"I'm also there to help council understand the hierarchy of iwi structures."...
See full article HERE

Newly-elected Emms named as deputy mayor
Garrick Emms, the newly elected Featherston Ward councillor, was named as South Wairarapa District’s deputy mayor on Wednesday.

Emms will be on the Maori Standing Committee with predecessor Brian Jephson and Pip Maynard of Martinborough ward......
See full article HERE

Santa to reply to Christmas letters in te reo
From now until Christmas, tens of thousands of children will write to Santa thanks to his "little helpers" at the New Zealand Post, with a response option of either English or Māori.

"Last year a parent wrote to us suggesting that we offer Te Reo and we thought, absolutely we should, so we worked on that this year to bring it to life," said NZ Post spokesperson Sarah Sandoval.....
See full article HERE

Proposals set pathway for much-needed improvement in fresh water
Water New Zealand strongly supports the Te Mana o te Wai hierarchy of obligations and says a national discussion about Maori rights and interests in water is long overdue....
See full article HERE

Articles:
Mike Butler: Tikanga Weaponised

Propaganda:
Push for better knowledge of the history behind our longest placename

'Historical baggage' cause of male Māori physical trauma rate - health advocate (Paywall)


This Breaking Views Update monitors race relations in the media on a weekly basis. A summary of new material being added is emailed out during the week - to subscribe (or unsubscribe) to the mailout, please use the form at the top of the Breaking Views sidebar. If you would like to send Letters to the Editor in response to any of these articles, most media addresses can be found HERE

No comments: