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Saturday, February 6, 2021

Breaking Views Update: Week of 31.01.21







Saturday February 6, 2021 

News:
Green Party unveils Māori priorities, including independent health authority and constitutional discussion

The Green Party wants to see an independent Māori health authority and the Government respond to calls for constitutional transformation with Te Tiriti o Waitangi at the core.

The priorities were among half a dozen unveiled at Waitangi today, as the Greens vowed to continue working with tangata whenua to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Green Party priorities for Māori this term:

1. Iwi-led response to homelessness and family and sexual violence.

2. Ensuring iwi, whānau and hapū have a say in decisions that affect them.

3. Protecting the rights of takatāpui; in particular trans, intersex, and non-binary people.

4. Kaitiakitanga of whenua, awa and moana.

5. Ensuring a Government response to the Matike Mai Report.

6. Creating an independent Māori health authority.....
See full article HERE

Defence Force under fire over planned 21-gun salute to honour the Queen on Waitangi Day
A gun salute honouring Queen Elizabeth's ascending to the throne has come under fire from a Wellington city councillor, who has called for organisers to think about the purpose of these celebrations.

Wellington City Councillor Tamatha Paul​ said she was concerned about how the salute was “centring colonisation on a day that is supposed to reflect on the foundations of our country, which is built on Te Tiriti o Waitangi”.

Paul was in favour of getting rid of gun salutes entirely and asked people to think about “the mass carnage that occurred when guns came onto this whenua”.

“The whole salute itself is really aggressive; it shows the dominance of the Crown when it's meant to be a day of partnership,” Paul said.....
See full article HERE

Dedicated Maori seats likely for HBRC
Previously, as we reported here, HBRC, in a vote late last year that generated great bitterness from many (not all) in the Maori community, decided to conduct a referendum on the matter at the 2022 election, to be preceded by a robust public education effort and debate.

BayBuzz has asked councillors where they stand now that the polling issue is being set aside by Government......
See full article HERE

New Plymouth Māori ward champion apologises for calling petition promoters 'racist'
A New Plymouth district councillor who has championed Māori wards has apologised to a colleague, and others, he accused of being racist for their opposing views.

“On reflection Cr Bennett has acknowledged that the behaviour was inappropriate and will issue a public statement apologising in writing to the Bryan Vickery Media Taranaki Facebook page.......
See full article HERE

Propaganda:
Opinion; Dominic O'Sullivan: Why Māori wards are good for democracy 

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 February 5, 2021 

News: 
Ngāti Kahungunu joins Ngāi Tahu's claim for shared control of freshwater with the Crown 
Ngāti Kahungunu has joined Ngāi Tahu in court action that seeks shared control and management of freshwater with the Crown.

The two iwi are working together to have Ngāti Kahungunu's rangatiratanga over freshwater recognised, including at the Mohaka River in Hawke's Bay.

Rangatiratanga over water means the local iwi has rights, responsibilities and obligations relating to the freshwater in its takiwā, including doing what it can to stop the degradation of waterways and the environment......
See full article HERE

New Matariki public holiday date to move around like Easter, date for 2022 to be announced
Aotearoa’s newest public holiday will not have a fixed date every year, but shift around in the same manner as Easter, most likely shifting between June and July every year, Stuff can reveal.

It is understood that the Government will today announce the date of the first Matariki holiday in 2022, while an expert panel has been appointed to come up with dates for the holiday for the next 30 years.

The new holiday will operate on a “moveable feast” basis, according to the newly appointed chair of the Government’s advisory group on the holiday, Dr Rangiānehu Matamua.......
See full article HERE

Kura kaupapa Māori reconsidering relationship with Unitec after racism claims
Fallout from allegations of institutional racism at Auckland’s Unitec continues, as the principal of a kura kaupapa reconsiders his school’s ties to the institution.

“As a kura we do not want to partner with an institution that shows an inability to prioritise their treaty obligations.”

Kura board member Professor Mera Penehira said there is a Treaty relationship that needs to be honoured.

“We do not want to send them to institutions that continue to ignore the rights of Māori.”.....
See full article HERE

Bombshell $300m Māori health proposal shocks Northland healthcare
A $300m Māori health entity proposal has rocked Northland's healthcare community, forcing some general practice doctors to consider abandoning the region's primary health organisation.

The Oranga Māori Entity, formed by an alliance of...... (NZ Herald paywall)
See full article HERE

Te Onewa Northcote Point wharf re-opened and dual-named
Northcote Point wharf has reopened after a blessing this morning and services have re-started after a two-year closure.

The wharf has also been renamed to Te Onewa Northcote Point, making it the first dual-named wharf on Auckland’s ferry network.......
See full article HERE

Teacher's suggestion for Treaty of Waitangi lesson sparks online debate
A teacher's tongue-in-cheek suggestion on how to teach the Treaty of Waitangi to young children has drawn both support and criticism after she shared it on social media.

The tip came in response to a question posed to a social media group for New Zealand teachers that asked for easy ideas on how to teach the Treaty of Waitangi to 5-year-olds.

"Ask them to show you their lunchboxes and then take 90 per cent out of them and start eating it in front of them," the teacher suggested......
See full article HERE

Northland Māori seats poll petition to be delivered despite looming law change
More than 14,000 signatures from Northlanders wanting to have their say on three Tai Tokerau councils' Māori seats decisions will still be delivered to the councils.

This is in spite of the Government this week announcing it is removing the legislation that allows such petitions to happen.

"It's important the voice of those 14,000 signatures is heard by the councils and the Government," John Bain, Democracy Northland petition campaign leader, said......
See full article HERE

Nixed Māori ward back on the table in Marlborough
A Māori ward is back on the cards in Marlborough after the Government announced sweeping changes to a “racist” law.

The Marlborough District Council decided not to introduce Māori wards before the November deadline last year, under the region's latest review of its representation arrangements, as there was “no interest” lodged by iwi or the wider public.

But it will give the issue a second shake following Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta's​ announcement that a law relating to Māori wards would be changed. The changes extended the deadline for decisions on Māori wards to May.......
See full article HERE

ACT leader David Seymour supports the idea of addressing issues by shifting power from Government to Maori organisations.
Seymour says the average iwi knows more about how to run a school for their tamariki, than the idiots in the Ministry of Education......
See full article HERE

Propaganda:
'This country is ours! We are the Governor' 

Thursday February 4, 2021 

News: 
Māori wards 'natural' next step in Hamilton 
Introducing Māori wards in Hamilton is a “natural next step” and should happen in time for the 2022 elections, a Māori leader says.

Iwi leaders have previously opted against pursuing Māori electoral wards in the city, concerned at the prospect of a citizen-initiated poll undoing their hard-fought gains.

“I unreservedly, unapologetically support the creation of Māori wards and it would be a natural next step,” Te Pora Thompson-Evans said......
See full article HERE

Smoothing the path for Māori wards pleases many in Manawatū region
Palmerston North and Manawatū councils could resolve to have Māori wards in the 2022 local body elections.

Changes to the Local Electoral Act proposed by Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta would remove the obstacle posed by the outcome of binding polls in 2018.....
See full article HERE

National Party's Paul Goldsmith slams Aotearoa NZ Histories curriculum as 'lacking in balance'
But National's education spokesman Paul Goldsmith, who has written several books on NZ business and economic history, immediately attacked the first draft as "lacking in balance and needs revision".

"The themes are mainly about identity and identity politics. That's part of the story – but there are other elements to New Zealand's history," he said.

"How did we make a living as a country? How, in such a short space of time, did we attain one of the highest living standards in the world?

"Those basic questions don't feature prominently. They deserve much more than a passing reference......
See full article HERE

More on the above here > Government gears up as Aotearoa NZ history subject launches in 2022

Ngapuhi Fund gives claimants head start
Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Andrew Little says a new $150 million fund is a way to start growing the wealth of ngā hapū o Ngāpuhi even though the iwi could be a way off the settlement.

The crown-controlled Ngāpuhi Investment Fund Limited was announced at Waitangi yesterday, after being flagged last year as an interim measure when Mr Little removed the mandate from Tuhoronuku to negotiate......
See full article HERE

Ngāti Whātua ki Ōrakei will no longer tolerate the Crown using their land for other iwi disputes
Ngāti Whātua ki Ōrākei says it will no longer tolerate the Crown using its lands to settle the claims of other iwi and will hīkoi to the High Court to assert its legal rights as mana whenua in Tāmaki......
See full article HERE

Time is right for city conversation on culture – council
Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate says the time is right to have a broad community conversation about the role of Maori and Maori heritage and culture in the city’s future.

A Maori strategy was first initiated under former Mayor Andrew King and has been refined under Mayor Southgate who wants Hamilton to be one of the most culturally rich cities in New Zealand.

"What is good for Maori is good for all of us and there are some really exciting opportunities we could be looking at. For example, what can we do in partnership with iwi to stimulate and support Maori tourism? How can we work together to better celebrate and showcase Maori art?" says Mayor Southgate......
See full article HERE 

Wednesday February 3, 2021 

News: 
Sweeping changes to 'discriminatory' law could open door for Māori wards in Wellington 
Wellington could grab the opportunity for Māori wards in 2022 elections – after Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced sweeping changes to a “discriminatory” law.

Wellington City councillor Jill Day, Māori partnerships portfolio leader, said she would be hitting the phones to see if the council could create Māori wards for next year’s elections.

The Government will now draft “transitional” legislation upholding council decisions to create Māori wards......
See full article HERE

More on the above > Wellington City Councillor files notice of motion to establish Māori ward 

Labour’s Māori ward plan deeply divisive
“New Zealand’s electoral system should focus on our common interests and treat voters equally, but Labour’s plan for Māori wards would take us down a divisive path,” says ACT Leader David Seymour.

“Equality before the law and local democracy are critically important.

“ACT believes that all individuals should be equal before the law regardless of race, gender, sexuality, religion or political belief.

“We joke about this Government being undemocratic, but I never thought I’d see Labour taking away the right to vote just because they don’t like people’s choices......
See full article HERE

No Māori ward for Christchurch City Council
Christchurch City Council will not establish a Māori ward for the next elections.

The idea was floated with the iwi and mana whenua in October, but the local authority was comfortable with the current relationship, a council spokesman said.....
See full article HERE

Foreshore and Seabed regrets as Porou deal inked
Other iwi will have to pursue their customary rights under the mechanisms in the Māori Party-backed Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana Act) - which is itself under review by the Waitangi Tribunal as to whether it complies with Treaty of Waitangi principles.....
See full article HERE

Government provides $288,000 for Waitangi Celebrations
The government has provided about $288,000 as grants to various organisations throughout New Zealand to organise community events commemorating Waitangi Day 2021, Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Carmel Sepuloni has said.

She said that commemorating the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi (The Treaty of Waitangi) is important because it celebrates the importance of who we are as a Nation......
See full article HERE

Government sets aside $150m for investment fund as Treaty negotiations drag on
Treaty Negotiations Minister Andrew Little has announced a new $150 million Crown investment fund to cover Ngāpuhi Treaty negotiations.

Little said it would be operated by the Crown for the benefit of Ngāpuhi.

The purpose would be to make a return on the money while long-running, and delayed, negotiations continue with the hapū of the northern iwi.

Once negotiations are completed the hapū could “deal with the fund in whatever way they want”.......
See full article HERE 

Tuesday February 2, 2021

News:
Govt set to abolish local veto on councils' Māori wards

The Government will abolish a law that allows local referendums to veto decisions by councils to establish Māori wards.

The move will be made in time for the 2022 local body elections, and means decisions made by nine councils to establish Māori wards for that election cannot be overturned by local voters.

The councils are the Kaipara District Council, Gisborne District Council, New Plymouth District Council, Northland Regional Council, Ruapehu District Council, South Taranaki District Council, Taupo District Council, Tauranga District Council, and Whangarei District Council.

The only way Māori wards will not be established for 2022 in those areas is if the council itself resolves to undo its decision......
See full article HERE

Long-held Customary Interests Of Ngāti Porou Hapū Recognised
The Crown has recognised 14 customary marine title areas along the East Cape and East Coast in ngā rohe moana o ngā hapū o Ngāti Porou, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Andrew Little announced today.

This recognition reflects the determination of ngā hapū o Ngāti Porou to safeguard their longstanding customary rights and the continued exercise of mana by ngā hapū o Ngāti Porou in their rohe moana.

Customary marine title recognises customary rights and interests that whānau, hapū or iwi can show they have had in an area of the takutai moana (common marine and coastal area) from 1840, in accordance with strict legal tests.......
See full article HERE

Auckland iwi Ngāti Pāoa place rāhui around Waiheke to protect declining kaimoana
A two-year rāhui will be placed on the Waiheke Island foreshore by the iwi of the area, to stop four species of kaimoana from disappearing.

Ngāti Pāoa, the iwi for the Hauraki region, will place the rāhui from Sunday for two years, to allow taonga species to restore and replenish.

Population of shellfish species like tipa (scallops), kūtai (mussels), kōura (crayfish) and pāua (abalone) have been declining for decades. The rāhui will prohibit the gathering of those four species......
See full article HERE

National 'a party for all New Zealanders' after decision to contest Māori seats — Collins
National leader Judith Collins says the decision to stand candidates in Māori electorates again is because it is “a party for all New Zealanders”.

It comes after 1 NEWS revealed last week the party had decided to contest the seats, which are currently held by Labour and the Māori Party.

“National has been absent from the Māori electorate contest for too long,” Collins said in Wellington today at the party's annual caucus retreat.......
See full article HERE

Investment company buys Palmerston North shopping centre
The Downtown Palmerston North shopping centre has sold to an investment company representing iwi and Māori trusts.

The sale to Iwiinvestor​ Group Holdings Ltd settles on March 1 after 30 years in the hands of Downtown on Broadway Ltd, whose shareholders include members of the Higgins and Norwood families......
See full article HERE

Mega polytech to spend $2 million on consultants and hosts staff workshop at a Wellington golf course
Te Pūkenga, formerly the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (NZIST), has contracted professional services company EY and EY Tahi, its indigenous Māori branch, to co-design its “operating model”.

Information obtained under the Official Information Act reveal it “expects to invest circa $2 million into this 12-month project”......
See full article HERE

Propaganda:
Māori wards: Moving the law towards justice 

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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