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Friday, December 4, 2020

Breaking Views Update: Week of 29.11.20







Friday December 4, 2020 

News:
Māori wards petition delivered to Parliament: 'Not a case of if, but when'
A petition has been delivered to MPs urging them to get rid of legislation that enables referenda on Māori wards.

ActionStation collected more than 10,000 signatures calling for Parliament to make the process of establishing Māori wards for district and regional councils the same as the process for establishing general wards.

Council decisions in favour of Māori wards can be overturned under the Local Electoral Act if 5 percent of voters demand a poll.

The presentation was opened and closed with karakia and was attended by Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon, New Zealand Māori Council president Matthew Tukaki and representatives from the Green Party, Labour Party and Māori Party.

Labour MP Tamati Coffey received the petition and told the gathered crowd that their voices had been heard and local government minister Nanaia Mahuta was looking for to make a change........
See full article HERE 

Calls to scrap 'racist' policy allowing Māori council wards to be blocked gaining momentum
Calls to scrap a “racist” policy allowing Māori council wards to be blocked are gaining momentum as two petitions totalling 11,000 signatures were delivered to Parliament today.

Today’s petition comes as Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta is set to take a paper to Cabinet outlining options to address the issue.

“I agree that there should be Māori wards on council and I've long said that,” Mahuta said.

A decision on the law change will be expected next year.
See full article HERE

Corporate giant Coca-Cola Amatil apologises, pulls promo material referencing 'The Naki
A corporate drinks giant has said sorry and pulled promotional material after it used a term which has previously caused offence to Taranaki Māori.

In branding of its popular Coke drink, Coca-Cola Amatil used the slogan “Share a Coke in The Naki”.....
See full article HERE

Council considers changing Maxwell township's name back to Pākaraka
The road signs identifying the - blink and you miss it - township of Maxwell on the outskirts of Whanganui have already mysteriously disappeared and it's possible they'll never be needed again.

The council has joined forces with Ngā Rauru and its hapū Ngāti Maika to have the name - which has links to a bloody incident during the New Zealand Wars - changed back to Pākaraka......
See full article HERE

New name approved for Lund Road Reserve
The Waitekohekohe Reserve (previously named Lund Road Reserve) is a mixture of native bush and pine forest located between Lund Road and Thompsons Track and includes the Waitekohe Stream.

Council has worked with the Katikati Recreational Park Develop Group and local iwi Ngai Tamawhariua to come up with the concept plan and a name that acknowledges the cultural history of the area.

Waitekohekohe is the name gifted by Ngai Tamawhariua in reference to the ancestral name for the area and its relationship to spiritual waters, a sense of yearning and climbing trees and vines........
See full article HERE

Government Must Partner With Maori on climate response
The Government deserves praise for making the declaration of a climate emergency one of the first actions of the new Parliament, but acting in partnership with Māori will be key to delivering meaningful action, says Māori Climate Commissioner Donna Awatere Huata......
See full article HERE

The Government wants five percent of public sector contracts to go to Maori businesses
Maori Development Minister Willie Jackson says the Government spends 42-billion dollars a year on procurement of goods and services.

He says the new five percent target will encourage agencies to cast the net wider when awarding contracts - and help speed up economic recovery for Maori businesses.

The target is considered aspirational - partly due to a lack of precise data about the scale of Maori business activity......
See full article HERE

Articles:
Roger Childs: Does the Country Need a Maori Party?

Mahuta plugs the progress of Maori at powhiri for our big APEC year

I fear for this country: final column 

Democracy Northland: The Ad Stuff Refused to Publish

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

Wednesday December 2, 2020

News:
The Government paid private consultants up to $325 an hour to provide Ihumātao advice
The Government has shelled out more than $150,000 to consultants to provide advice regarding the Ihumātao land dispute, with some being paid up to $325 an hour.

Despite the significant price tag, the public is......(NZ Herald paywall) 
See full article HERE

Marae makeover project gets $80k boost to kick-start work
An $80,000 grant will help kick-start plans to upgrade one of the most important marae in Taranaki, with the first phase prioritising the place which provides hospitality to visitors.

However, buildings on the three-hectare site are between 80-130 years old, and in its application to the New Plymouth District Council (NPDC) marae development fund, the Manukorihi Pā Trust said its members had seen a steady decline in the state of facilities.

In June 2017, a $65,000 feasibility study proposed a multimillion-dollar redevelopment of the marae was needed to future proof it.

Along with the grant for Owae Marae, Te Huinga Taumatua also approved $29,870 for a new roof on the wharekai at Te Upoko o Te Whenua marae, the tūrangawaewae of Ngāti Maru......
See full article HERE

Māori lawyer Tūmanako Silveira makes history with mataora
Tūmanako Silveira of Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Raukawa and Pare Hauraki, is the first Māori man with a mataora, that Te Ao Mārama is aware of, to be admitted to the bar as a lawyer.

"The role of the lawyer is to represent those who are going before the courts, and I want the court to hear te reo sounding throughout its walls,

"To condemn mataora is to condemn Māori, so we must make mataora and moko kauae visible, these prized and treasured heirlooms from time immemorial, bring them forward to today to be made visible in all contexts, not only restricted to pictures on the wall or on the kapa haka stage but everywhere in this land."

Silveira will continue to pursue his legal career as a member of the legal team at Annette Sykes & Co in Rotorua.......
See full article HERE

Māori vote up 15 per cent in 2020 election; biggest shift among young people
The number of Māori who voted in the 2020 General Election increased by 51,326, or 15.1 per cent, compared with the 2017 election.

Data from the Electoral Commission shows 390,306 Māori voted in 2020 compared with 338,980 in 2017......
See full article HERE

Tribunal hears challenge to foreshore rights grab
Northland iwi Ngati Hine and Te Kapotai have opened their urgent Waitangi Tribunal hearing into what they consider are shortfalls in the application of the Marine and Coastal Areas (Takutai Moana) Act.

The Act, which was the National-Māori Party Government’s replacement for Labour’s Foreshore and Seabed Act, is now undergoing its critical test, as iwi and hapū around the country ask the High Court to grant customary title.

If they fail at that step their customary rights are considered extinguished.

Pita Tipene from Ngāti Hine says he told the tribunal the law is unjust and undermines the rangatiratanga of hapū and iwi over their coastal lands.....
See full article HERE

Maōri Broadcasting Minister calls on media to apologise to Māori
Maōri Broadcasting Minister Willie Jackson is calling out media outlets on their racism, a day after New Zealand's largest media company, the privately owned Stuff owned up to 160 years of racist reporting and promised to set up a Treaty of Waitangi charter to work by.

"Mainstream media have got a lot to answer for in terms of coverage of Māori issues," Jackson says. " It's a shame the New Zealand Herald doesn't take it up too, Mike Hoskings and a number of other groups that owe Māori an apology."......
See full article HERE

New signs celebrate te reo Māori and share stories from the past
The unveiling of new signs in a west Auckland park mark a major milestone in a programme designed to celebrate te reo Māori and share the stories of Tāmaki Makaurau’s rich Māori history.

Crum Park in Titirangi now carries the dual name of Tahurangi/Crum Park and is the first local park to have signs in both te reo Māori and English. An interpretive sign featuring the story behind the name, as provided by mana whenua, was revealed today.

The sign also features a QR Code that people can scan with their phone to hear the correct pronunciation of Tahurangi........
See full article HERE

Māori wards 'best for our democracy' - Kiri Allan
The law around Māori wards is discriminatory, East Coast MP Kiri Allan says, as activists petition the government for an urgent change in legislation.

Campaigning organisation ActionStation and community group Te Rōpū Tautoko Māori have collected more than 10,000 signatures calling for Parliament to make the process of establishing Māori wards for district and regional councils the same as the process for establishing general wards......
See full article HERE

Tikanga Māori Supports Successful Westhaven Decision For Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei
In a decision made by the High Court, the Environment Court has jurisdiction to consider, and make findings about, the relative strengths of hapu and iwi relationships in an area affected by a resource consent application – delivering a successful outcome for Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei.

Chapman Tripp acted for Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei in the Environment Court and the High Court on this preliminary question of law.......
See full article HERE

Money well spent: Māori ministers back $155,000 Ihumātao consultants' fees
Top Māori Ministers say the $155,000 the Government has spent on consultants, who were paid up to $325 an hour, to provide advice on the Ihumātao land dispute was money well spent.

And one has hinted that the Government has reached a solution on the land dispute which would yield a "good result for everyone".

But Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told media this morning that the Government is not yet ready to make any announcements related to the issue........
See full article HERE

Articles:
That which divides us

Propaganda:
New Plymouth's chance to do the right thing by Māori

Māori economy takes centre stage at Apec opening, China-Australia tensions provide backdrop 

Tuesday December 1, 2020

News:
Kelvin Davis and Oranga Tamariki: 'There will be a handover of power to Māori'
Kelvin Davis may be wondering what he signed up for. 

After asking to be Children's Minister, which gives him responsibility for Oranga Tamariki, the Labour MP had a baptism of fire last week.

On Monday,...... (NZ Herald paywall) 
See full article HERE

Māori Hawke’s Bay Regional Councillor speaks out: “I could not just fall in line”
A Māori Hawke’s Bay Regional councillor has spoken out about the backlash directed at her after she voted against approving the establishment of Māori constituencies.

Speaking exclusively to Hawke’s Bay App, Hinewai Ormsby says she stands by her decision to let the community decide and put it to a referendum at the next election in what she has labelled a “rushed” process.......
See full article HERE

Ministers Need To Explain Surprise New Priorities
“Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta stated of that one her top priorities is abolishing the ability of ratepayers to initiate a public referendum if a Maori ward is going to be established in their area. This policy is not referred to in Labour's manifesto. Ironically, the manifesto does commit to having ‘major decisions about local democracy involve full participation of the local population from the outset.’ The Minister seems intent on shutting out full participation on certain major decisions about local democracy. She has no mandate for this.”.....
See full article HERE

Call For Local Government Minster To Expand Local Democracy, Not Erode It
The Local Electoral Act 2001 provides two cases where electors may requisition a binding poll if more than 5% of electors petition a council to do so. Both are designed to protect the community at large from unwelcome changes to the voting system.

Section 29 allows petition rights where a council changes the way representatives are elected using the FPP or STV voting systems.

And section 19ZB provides petition rights when councils create Maori wards and introduce the Maori electoral roll, again, changing the way that representatives are elected.....
See full article HERE

Taranaki Regional Council supports removing ward law anomaly
Taranaki Regional Council has joined forces with other bodies supporting Local Government New Zealand's call to change the law around overturning Māori wards.

At a meeting in August, TRC decided to delay the decision on introducing a Māori ward for at least three years to allow more time to consult with iwi......
See full article HERE

Possum 1080 controls in Hawke's Bay head to Māori land court
Tataraakina is a 14,000-hectare block in inland Hawke's Bay, near the highway between Napier and Taupō.

The hearing is being held today at the Māori land court in Hastings before Chief Judge Watson Isaac.

The plaintiff in the case is Nigel Baker, who is connected to the Tūwharetoa iwi of the central North Island.

Baker claimed 1080 "killed everything"......
See full article HERE

Auckland Museum's south entrance refurbished to reflect heritage history 
A refurbished south entrance to Auckland Museum, marking the most significant change to the building in over a decade, will open on Thursday.

The area is decorated with Māori and Pacific Island artwork, and has been reworked to honour the heritage and history of the land......
See full article HERE

Māori relationship manager needed at district council, says iwi leader
A senior Māori relationship manager at the district council would provide a helpful voice, a Taranaki kāumatua says.

New Plymouth District Council approved a Māori ward in August and last week Gisborne became the latest local government body to follow suit, but Peter Moeahu wants to take the representation further.

“Council decisions are formulated at executive management level. Council does not have a Māori executive manager to contribute to these decisions,” he submitted to last week's Te Huinga Taumatua Committee.

Māori are Treaty partners with the Crown, and contribute $1.5 billion to the local economy, he said.

Moeahu would also like to see more Māori staff on council and an internship programme for young talent.......
See full article HERE

Articles:
'Pakeha system will have to figure out a way of coping': Former MP on the Māori Party's return

Democracy Action – November 2020 newsletter

Open letter to PM Jacinda Ardern: Maori Party lies

More Maori wards signature collectors wanted

Propaganda:
Our Truth, Tā Mātou Pono: Stuff's day of reckoning

Little regard for Māori heritage 

Sunday November 29, 2020

News:
NZ to have bilingual traffic signs by 2023, Transport Minister says

Transport Minister Michael Wood has committed to having bilingual traffic signs throughout New Zealand by the end of this Government's term, but says the current rules are not racist.

Speaking to Local Democracy Reporting, Wood said the Government would "absolutely" commit to bilingual road signs by the end of its current term...... 
See full article HERE

Health Minister Andrew Little promises Māori Health Agency, fewer DHBs before next election
There will soon be a separate Māori Health Agency and fewer district health boards (DHBs), Health Minister Andrew Little has promised.

Little confirmed the changes, both recommended in the Health and Disability System Review earlier this year, will happen by the end of the Government's current term.

"Through my Treaty of Waitangi negotiations portfolio, I know the inequities that there are," Little told Newshub Nation on Saturday, talking about the proposed Māori Health Authority.

"Māori are suffering in a health system that is not treating them equally. If we're going to have a Māori health authority, I'm determined that it genuinely has the authority to really make a difference for Māori. I want to be sure that we're doing everything we can that it's a game-changer for Māori."......
See full article HERE

University post-Covid-19 plans: Victoria to move more learning online and put more decisions to students after rocky year
Other suggestions included boosting Māori and Pasifika staff, and increasing student exposure to Māori knowledge and the Treaty of Waitangi......
See full article HERE

Systemic racism at heart of Māori wards debate - ex-mayor
Systemic racism is at the heart of New Zealand's current council Māori wards debate, according to a leading campaigner for their establishment who spoke in Whangārei last night.

"Māori wards are but a start and look how that breaks us apart, " Andrew Judd, former New Plymouth mayor said.

"To be having a petition, what's happened to us? How would you feel if your community was doorknocking to take away your voice?" Judd said.....
See full article HERE

New Plymouth's Māori ward advocates ready to fight if opposition forces referendum on issue
A Māori ward advocacy group has a plan in place if New Plymouth’s establishment of a ward is sent to referendum.

Rongomou Community Action believes an advertisement in a Stuff community newspaper published in mid November will help amass the petition numbers needed to force a binding poll on the issue in the district.

But it hasn’t disheartened the group.

“If it does go to a poll, the struggle’s not over,” Dan Lander said......
See full article HERE

‘No’ to Maori wards from webpoll voters
More than half of this week's webpoll respondents said no to the question, “do you think the council should introduce Maori wards?”

Separatism, divisiveness, special privileges and racism were cited by the 323 voters (56 percent) who said no out of 575 respondents.
See full article HERE

Kura a iwi set path for next five years
The Ministry of Education and kura Māori have agreed on how they can work together while maintaining the independence of Māori schools.

Watson Ohia from Ngā Kura ā Iwi o Aotearoa says the five-year agreement signed today aims to address issues with equity that run across the education system......
See full article HERE

Propaganda:
Oranga Tamariki 'will not get it right' until power sits with Māori - Assistant Māori Children's Commissioner Glenis Philip-Barbara

Articles:
Will Auckland have Māori seats in 2025?

Bruce Moon: Rotorua Boys’ High School in the news 

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

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