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Saturday, February 3, 2024

Breaking Views Update: Week of 28.1.24







Saturday February 3, 2024 

News:
Local government leaders to gather in Waitangi

Far North Mayor Moko Tepania will host a new Waitangi feature where national leaders of the local government sector group will attend the celebrations for the first time.

Tepania (Te Rarawa, Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa) will host a Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) panel discussion on the role of Māori leaders in local government on Monday afternoon. Tepania is LGNZ's Northland board member.

Māori elected membership on New Zealand's councils has jumped from less than 5 percent to more than 22 percent over the past decade.

"This term, local government has its highest representation of Māori elected members ever," Bingham said......
See full article HERE

South Asian women want to abide by Te Tiriti principles
The South Asia community is banding together to figure out how to support Tino Rangatiratanga in Aotearoa.

Manawaka Ao is a community of indigenous women who call Aotearoa home.

They plan to hold a hui to talk about what actions they can take to stop any potential change of the Treaty of Waitangi for tangata whenua....
See full article HERE

Environment plan funding opens for iwi and hapū
Far North District Council’s Te Hono (Māori Development & Māori Relationships) team is seeking applications from iwi and hapū requiring funding to develop environmental management plans for their rohe.

An Iwi/Hapū Environmental Management Plan (IHEMP) is a resource management plan developed by a hapū, iwi, or iwi authority. The plans are holistic documents that set out environmental and resource management planning issues, objectives, policies, plans, and/or methods of concern and interest to tāngata whenua in their rohe.....
See full article HERE

FNDC brand gets te reo Māori refresh
Far North District Council is ‘walking the talk’ in its goal to boost the use of te reo Māori within the organisation by refreshing its 35-year-old logo.

“Today, I’m really proud that we are refreshing the council logo and restoring the indigenous name for our area: Te Kaunihera o Te Hiku o te Ika – the tail of the fish....
See full article HERE

Iwi in Taihape district say Waitangi Tribunal recommendation for their landlocked whenua has set a precedent
In a report, He Whenua Karapotia, He Whenua Ngaro, the Waitangi Tribunal ruled that the Crown had committed multiple breaches of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in allowing the landlocking of Ngāti Hinemanu and Ngāti Paki whenua in the Mōkai Pātea Taihape area. It said the Crown admitted it prioritised European landowners’ interests to the disadvantage of Māori landowners and conceded that its remedies in later years were ineffective.....
See full article HERE

Government served message by iwi leaders worried about 'sustained attack' on Maori
"We have no choice but to fight."

Iwi leaders have issued the Government that blunt message about what they call a "sustained attack on Māori".

The Government fronted up to the Iwi Chairs Forum on Friday, the first time David Seymour has engaged this year about his controversial Treaty Principles Bill......
See full article HERE

Māori Kiwifruit Growers gets nearly $1m boost to help increase exports
Māori Kiwifruit Growers have received nearly $1 million in government funding to help increase their exports of the lucrative fruit.

The advocacy group with 42 members, mostly in Bay of Plenty, will receive $975,000 from the Ministry for Primary Industries' Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures Fund over the next three years, topped up with a co-investment of $987,523.

The project aims to increase the value of export earnings for growers, while re-affirming Aotearoa's connections with indigenous peoples around the world.....
See full article HERE

Articles:
Barrie Davis: Temerity after Temerity

Propaganda:
Growing demand for te ao Māori in the workplace, study finds

Tama Potaka rules out Treaty referendum, as new minister prepares for Waitangi  

This Breaking Views Update monitors race relations in the media on a weekly basis. New material is added regularly. 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 2, 2024 

News: 
Invercargill councillor objects to using te reo Māori names first in new builds 
An Invercargill city councillor revealed his disdain for the use of te reo Māori in names after making an incorrect assumption at a meeting.

First-term councillor Barry Stewart then interjected.

“Are we going to reverse all these European names and put the Māori names first on everything? Because I’m going to object every time.

When a councillor sitting next to Stewart confirmed it was the name of the museum, he responded “I didn’t agree to it”.....
See full article HERE

Rotorua iwi board protests against council sewerage scheme by tapu Lake Rotokākahi
A Rotorua iwi board is protesting the laying of a sewerage pipeline near a sacred lake which they fear is disturbing their tūpuna (ancestors) who are buried in the area.

Lake Rotokākahi, in the Tūhourangi rohe, is situated near the roading corridor the pipeline follows.

It is a tapu (sacred) lake, which can only be accessed by the iwi that owns it and is overseen by the Rotokākahi Board of Control.....
See full article HERE

Te Papa exhibition celebrates 100-year friendship between two indigenous Pacific peoples
The first Ainu art exhibition to be hosted in New Zealand has come about thanks to a 100-year-old connection between the Ainu - an indigenous people from northern Japan - and Māori.

Yesterday at Te Papa Tongarewa four significant Ainu artists - Akemi Shimada, Koji Yuki, Sayo Ogasawara and Atsushi Monbetsu - were welcomed with a heartfelt pōwhiri by Māori.....
See full article HERE

Grant McCallum maiden statement
We also need to celebrate our Māori culture, which is uniquely New Zealand. Central to Māori culture is te reo. Wouldn’t it be great if, in 2040, we are starting to be seen as a bilingual society, as our younger generations embrace te reo?....
See full article HERE

National intentions good says new Māori MP
New Plymouth MP David McLeod has used his maiden speech to reassure Māori that te reo and Te Tiriti o Waitangi is safe in the hands of the National Party.....
See full article HERE

BNZ offers first home loans on Māori-owned land
A new collaboration between the BNZ and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei in Auckland means that for the first time, home loans at standard home loan rates, are being made available for building on iwi land.

Banks have traditionally been reluctant to offer home loans for housing on communally owned land because they can't use the land as security for the loans.

But the BNZ and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei have negotiated an agreement where, in the event of a distressed mortgage, the hapū would take over. Fourteen homes are under construction in Hawaiki St, Ōrākei as part of the hapū's ambitious housing development on the historic site.....
See full article HERE

Iwi leaders in Northland for annual hui
Iwi leaders from across the motu have arrived in Northland for the annual meeting of the iwi chairs forum.

The hui in Kerikeri comes after the Hui aa Motu at Tūrangawaewae and ahead of what's expected to be a lively Waitangi Day....
See full article HERE

Maori have just gained a stronger stake in deep water fishing
Fifty-percent iwi-owned Sealord - has become New Zealand's biggest seafood business, after buying Christchurch's Independent Fisheries.

CEO Doug Paulin says it gives Maori close to 50 percent of the quotas available.

Paulin says it's a very positive change, and they have a lot to add through te ao maori and kaitiakitanga.....
See full article HERE

Articles:
Mike Butler: Treaty principles and threats

Propaganda:
Shaping the Treaty  

Thursday February 1, 2024 

News: 
Government's smokefree changes show clear breach of treaty - Māori health experts 

A coalition of Māori health experts and advocates is calling for the Waitangi Tribunal to urgently hear a complaint on the government's planned repeal of changes to smokefree legislation.

The Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Smoked Tobacco) Amendment Act (SERPA) was passed by the previous Labour government in 2022.

It would have taken cigarettes out of most dairies, lowered the nicotine levels in cigarettes, and denied sales to anyone born after 1 January 2009.

As part of National's coalition agreement with New Zealand First, the changes would be repealed by the new government.

Susan Taylor, Hone Harawira, Shane Bradbrook and Dr Amohia Boulton have filed the application.....
See full article HERE

Waitangi Day Fund Supports 35 Community Events Across NZ
The Commemorating Waitangi Day Fund, administered by Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage, supports events that commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi and increases awareness and knowledge of the Treaty through celebrations and local storytelling.

"Each year the Government supports opportunities for communities all over New Zealand to take part in Waitangi Day events - from Northland to Otago," says Leauanae Laulu Mac Leauanae, Tumu Whakarae Chief Executive of Manatū Taonga.....
See full article HERE

Tupuna words say Māori not victims
New Zealand First deputy leader Shane Jones says Māori shouldn’t think of themselves as victims.

He says their default position is see Māori as victims and casualties rather than as people whose future is in their own hands.

“I’m from the land of Hongi. He was no victim. I’m from the land of Ruatara who brought the faith the New Zealand and had a profound impact on Ngapuhi and actually laid the trajectory for the signing of the treaty. And I’m from the land of Nopera Panakareao where he said the shadow of the treaty (goes) to the Queen but the mana within you, your heart, your mauri, your body, your soul, your spirit forever, and that’s a wake up call for us,” Mr Jones says......
See full article HERE

Ngāi Tahu CEO Arihia Bennett to step down in March
After more than 12 years in the role, the chief executive of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, Arihia Bennett (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Porou, Ngāpuhi), will step down in March.

“This year Te Rūnanga will celebrate a milestone investment of $1 billion into tribal development since settlement.....
See full article HERE

Three Waters cash funds future Māori advocates
North Taranaki Māori studying to work for the environment are in line for a scholarship from their local council, which wants more iwi and hapū help with resource management decisions.

New Plymouth District Council’s Whakapuāwai Taiao will pay the fees of students with whakapapa to local iwi and hapū for tertiary qualifications relevant to te taiao – the natural world that contains and surrounds us.....
See full article HERE

Iwi consulted on Coromandel track options
The Department of Conservation will work alongside Ngāti Hei to develop options for visitor access at Coromandel’s Cathedral Cove.

Ms Mearns says Treaty settlement obligations and historic protection aspects also need to be taken into account.....
See full article HERE

Te reo Māori rollback excludes councils
Despite the government rolling back on te reo Māori use in the public sector, council policies would not be affected, the local government minister has confirmed.

The refreshed policy would obligate the council to provide opportunities for staff, elected members, and appointed members to "learn, understand, and speak te reo Māori".

"Local government is responsible to its residents and ratepayers and the government has no intention to involve itself in these matters," he said.....
See full article HERE

Articles:
Michael Bassett: Shane Jones deserves support about Waitangi Tribunal

Suze: The Christopher Luxon Side Step

Clive Bibby: While the chiefs squabble and scrap, troops deal with the real world.

Propaganda:
The Treaty of Waitangi is a sacred covenant not a political football - Rev Rangi Nicholson

Foon finds Chinese support for tiriti

The Treaty of Waitangi - articles, principles, changes

Explainer: The fight over the Treaty of Waitangi

Kelvin Davis takes aim at Treaty Principles Bill in valedictory speech  

Wednesday January 31, 2024 

News 
Luxon affirms Treaty 'akin to partnership' for Crown and iwi 
"My personal view is, it's a relationship between Crown and iwi, it's akin to a partnership and as we've been working through over a number of decades and years — we'll continue to work through that," he said.

Asked if that meant he disagreed with Seymour's view, Luxon repeated: "I see it as a relationship between Crown and iwi and I see it akin to a partnership.".....
See full article HERE

Finance Minister Nicola Willis attending Waitangi commemorations, Iwi Chairs Forum
Willis will be there for not only Waitangi Day, but over the whole weekend, as she and other government leaders also participate in the Iwi Chairs Forum.

"I'll actually be up there on Friday and I'm staying right through to Waitangi Day on Tuesday," she told RNZ's First Up.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will be speaking at Waitangi, while Willis said she will be "engaging directly" with iwi leaders at the forum.

"Particularly when it comes to how the government can work with iwi to advance Māori economic interests......
See full article HERE

Bilingual Parking Meters - Wellington
The new meters offer a choice of on-screen instructions in both English and Te Reo Māori. This supports the Council’s move towards being a bilingual city.....
See full article HERE

Abandoned Tūrangi camp ground could be returned to iwi ownership
A Tūrangi camping ground abandoned by a former leaseholder after they went broke owing almost $40,000 in rates could be handed back to its traditional Māori owners - if they can be identified.

The Taupō District Council will meet next week to discuss a recommendation to dispose of 4.8ha of land upon which the Tūrangi Kiwi Holiday Park sits after it was closed suddenly in November 2021.

The land, at 13 Te Reiti Tamara Grove, is valued at $1.56m and was taken from its original Māori owners by the Crown under the Public Works Act as part of the Tūrangi Township Act 1964.....
See full article HERE  

Waitangi Tribunal members consider constitution inquiry
Waitangi Tribunal members and claimants are meeting on Tuesday in Waitangi to consider the design of a constitution inquiry.

The inquiry will reportedly seek to establish what a contemporary constitution for Aotearoa might look like that is compliant with the Treaty.....
See full article HERE

T-shirts flood land with language
A Ngāti Kahungunu rangatahi is using te reo Māori to fight back against coalition Government attacks on kaupapa Māori.

Amaia Watson, a second year law student at the University of Otago, says she was inspired by the words of scholar Tā Timoti Karetu.....
See full article HERE

Kīngitanga calls for Māori hospital to fulfil the vision of Princess Te Puea
The Kīngitanga is calling for a Māori hospital to be built as part of its message of mana motuhake to the Crown.

It comes following the hui ā-motu recently held on Tūrangawaewae Marae, an event that invited thousands of people to share their aspirations and ideas for mana motuhake and how to uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Kīngitanga spokesperson Rahui Papa said in 1926 Te Puea Hērangi put the case forward to the government of the time that a Māori hospital was needed.....
See full article HERE

New National MP's message to 'Māori brothers and sisters'
Takanini MP Rima Nakhle, who is an Australian-Lebanese New Zealander, gave her maiden speech in Parliament this afternoon saying she loved "our Māori people, our Māori culture, and our Māori language".

Having attended the Kīngitanga's national hui last week, Nakhle also acknowledged Kīngi Tuheitia in her speech, thanking him "for the manaakitanga he always bestows to all who enter the grounds of Tūrangawaewae Marae, as I did recently".....
See full article HERE

Articles:
Owen Jennings: The mind of James Busby

Propaganda:
Opponents of Waitangi Tribunal plans for constitution urged to listen

Treaty principles bill predicted to cause rift in the nation

Opinion: Treaty Principles Bill a no-win situation for Luxon  

Tuesday January 30, 2024 

News: 
Shane Jones welcomes debate on direction of Te Tiriti 
NZ First deputy leader Shane Jones has welcomed debate on the direction of the Treaty of Waitangi.

His comments come only a week from this year's Waitangi Day commemorations, which ACT leader David Seymour says he expects to be 'more tense' than usual.

Coalition government policies pertaining to the Treaty of Waitangi and Māori language have been staunchly opposed by Māori leaders across the country.....
See full article HERE

ACT leader David Seymour expects Waitangi events will be 'tense'
ACT leader David Seymour says he expects Waitangi commemorations will be "more tense" than usual this year.

Seymour is the architect of the Treaty Principles Bill that proposes to rewrite the treaty principles before putting them to a public vote.

The legislation is staunchly opposed by many Māori leaders, who have warned the government communities will mobilise if the treaty is altered.....
See full article HERE

Push for te reo Māori in South Wairarapa
South Wairarapa District Council is seeking the endorsement of a refreshed Māori Policy that will ingrain the use of te reo Māori within the organisation and community.

The Māori Policy was first adopted in June 2009 and applies to all work, elected members, and staff of of the council.

The current two-page document has no mention of te reo Māori use but does make mention of the underlying principles of the Treaty of Waitangi: partnership, participation, and protection.....
See full article HERE

Articles:
Luxon’s carefully worded counter to Seymour

ACT leader David Seymour confident he can persuade coalition partners to back Treaty Principles Bill

Geoff Parker: Crown – Maori Partnership?

Propaganda:
Tihei: Waitangi Day: A day of unity, diversity and joy

History an important step to understanding te ao Māori

Tihei: Hui an opportunity to kōrero and determine priorities

Seymour 'wants us to be more divided' – Ngarewa-Packer  

Monday January 29, 2024 

News: 
ACT leader David Seymour hits out at opposition to Treaty Principles Bill in State of Nation speech 
ACT leader David Seymour has slammed opposition to his Treaty Principles Bill, questioning whether Māori leaders are dealing with issues responsibly or inciting "baseless racial resentment".

It comes after Seymour was announced as Associate Minister of Justice and responsible for the Treaty Principles Bill, giving him more ownership of the controversial legislation based on an ACT Party proposal to debate and define the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi. Seymour has said it's time for New Zealanders to have the discussion, rather than leaving it up to judges and bureaucrats.

Seymour accused those calling the legislation "racist" of sowing division.

"Leaders in Māoridom who have the ear of the young need to ask themselves: are they dealing with the issues responsibly, or simply inciting baseless racial resentment? It is an important question," Seymour said in his State of the Nation speech.....
See full article HERE

Motueka to continue three month long rāhui
Iwi have decided to continue Motueka’s already three month long rāhui, banning swimming, entering the water and the collection of kaimoana, until levels of contamination are low enough.

The rāhui was put in place in October, after a failure in parts of the town’s wastewater treatment plant saw seepage of treated water into the Motueka Estuary.

The Tasman District Council said regular water testing at numerous sites around the plant showed “no significant rises in bacteria levels” following the emergency pumping programme....
See full article HERE

Propaganda:
Thriving iwi equals thriving communities  

Sunday January 28, 2024 

News: 
Northland MP Grant McCallum 'condemns' Taipā boat ramp protest ahead of fishing competition 
The MP for Northland says he "condemns" a local iwi's boat ramp protest as "illegal actions".

At least 30 members of Ngāti Kahu blocked the access road to a boat ramp in Taipā on Friday, ahead of the annual Doubtless Bay Fishing Competition.

"If the law is being broken, I would like to think that police will act, because it's not acceptable that people block people going about their daily business."....
See full article HERE

Propaganda:
Kill Seymour bill now says Greens

Who wants this culture war? - The Press editorial

Why is this Government trying to rewrite Aotearoa history? - Boris Sokratov

A bloody stupid idea – Anne Salmond

Te reo Maori still cause for concern

No hiding at Waitangi for our three headed taniwha

As Waitangi Day approaches, could we be facing Ōrewa all over again?  

This Breaking Views Update monitors race relations in the media on a weekly basis. New material is added regularly. If you would like to send Letters to the Editor in response to any of these articles, most media addresses can be found HERE

12 comments:

robert arthur said...

Although not such in this case, there is urgent need fro a Rahui Limitation and Overuling Act. As maori assume and acquire more and more control these tiresome exercises in applied rangatiratanga and heathen tohungaism will become ever more prevalent

Anonymous said...

I have a lot of respect for david seymour and the act party. He is saying what many of us are thinking. How on earth can equality be racist? Many of us kiwis over 40 can remember when nz was colourblind. If he keeps going like this he will only gain in votes.

Robert Arthur said...

rw 30th. Sadly beyond the anonymity of the General Election most are still terrified of cancellation. Hence moves as proposed in Wairarapa succeed. As Council affairs become more and more maorified ordinary often very capable time precious persons are discouraged from involvement and all devolves inevitably to maori control. For the vast majority an horrendous concept which will prove difficult to reverse. The govt must advance the Post Maorification era with uregency before the situation is beyond retrieve.

Anonymous said...

Why do all the extremists think that 98% of the rest of the population of nz care one bit about what goes on at waitangi? For most of us it is just another day off to spend with our families. Few of us watch tv1 news or other msm, who will no doubt glorify them. It's weird how they think that stirring up trouble up there will make anyone in nz " fear" them. Waitangi day should be changed to " New Zealand" day.

Robert Arthur said...

Re 31st After much soul searching I did not vote National. Few of my life's decisions have subsequently been so positively justified. Presumably Luxon used the fateful word partnership to better ensure that he emerges from Waitangi alive. Trading his welfare for that of future NZ.

Possibly the Turangi camp ground failed because it never recovered reputation after, decades ago, an elderly camper emerging from her tent to investigate stealing, was clubbed to death by a local. I always dismissed the camp. It is a bit rich that the tribe will benefit from the town development and zoning; they are not about to be returned scrub land in the middle of nowhere. The land should be gifted to WINS to offset benefit payments.

I am going to order two te reo T shirts . One with "Hoatu he koromatua tango te wae wae"" and the other"Kia wakatomuri te haere whaka mua". Unfortunately I do not have a maori puku so the words will be crowded.

Ray S said...

"akin to partnership"
You've just blown it Luxon. Just when we thought this government might sort out these sort of issues for ALL New Zealanders.

By publicly making that comment you have provided Maori with more ammunition to push co-governence.

It is not legally or constitutionally possible for a government to be in partnership with its citizens,

One can only hope you had a brain fart and explain yourself or publicly withdraw the comment.

Anonymous said...

Luxon affirms Treaty 'akin to partnership' for Crown and iwi!

But to which "Crown" does he refer?

“Her Majesty the Queen in right of New Zealand”? – (US Corporation)

"The expression 'the Crown' may refer either to the Sovereign in person or to the executive. In most constitutional discussions, it is used to refer to the latter and to the executive powers of the monarch in whose name many of the activities of government are carried on. In effect, the limitations on the powers of the Crown are now limitations on the powers of the political executive (the government). In this sense, the Crown has legal status as a CORPORATION AGGREGATE, embracing the state 'in all its activities'. The concept of a corporation aggregate predicates the Queen at the apex and includes all the departments of state, or

The Dominion of New Zealand? (Yes it does still exist and still is, a constitutional monarchy.)

Although the term is no longer used to describe New Zealand, the 1907 royal proclamation of dominion status has never been REVOKED and remains in force today. New Zealand’s formal title may therefore still include the term 'dominion'. Generally, however, the country (since 1953) is today known as the Realm of New Zealand.

What the hell have our “public servants” been up to behind “We the People’s” backs?


Anonymous said...

Did Luxon say there is a Crown - Treaty partnership? Extraordinary - does he take advice from Mutu etc. The guy has lost the plot. I am beyond appalled.

Robert Arthur said...

Re 1st The Waitangi Fund was presumably well established before the govt change. As it is to be applied it appears to be a blatant pro maori pro Labour policies support and propaganda fund. The new govt needs to closely examine.

Trust maori to hook into the Catheral Cove fuss. Presumably all their consultation will not be voluntary. I suspect many wai tapu and "historic" sites are about to be discovered.

New Plymouth Council will live to regret its financing of maori to study relevant to te taiao. They will fritter in future time and money wasting obstructive consultations many times what the scholarships cost.

Anonymous said...

Wait, so if I am maori I am not able to decide for myself if I choose to buy a packet of smokes? If I am 50% maori will I be able to think for myself? These so -called leaders of maori are absolutely offensive to the people they pretend to speak for.

Robert Arthur said...

Re 2nd. I presume the additional consultation demanded about the lake near Rotorua will involve payment. If the possible presence of some maori who long ago died (or warred, camped, feasted, hakaed, defecated, copulated) nearby is going to obstruct every development, NZ progress is going to halt.
I suspect councillor Stewart's majority will improve next election.
The enthusiasm of the two new National mps for counter efficiency matters maori confirms my choice not to vote for National at the last election.

Robert Arthur said...

Re 3rd. The maori 5th columnists everywhere constantly working to promote favouritism on a racial basis seem to have pulled off a couple of coups. A Local Govt NZ deputation to Waitangi to push for favoured treatments for maori. And a bunch of naive "indigenous" (to colonised elsewhere) woman conned to identify with maori here despite actually being part of the colonisation camp. They call themselves Manawaka Ao Hui whatever that might mean. It seems they are making the common mistake of assuming that if they humour maori they will be treated well in return. (Helen Clark one of the few who ever figured this out)
And the Crown is apparently to pay maori to access landlocked estate. Not just to help to buy an access (hopefully including recognition of the general nuisance adjacent landowners will likely have to endure) but to "form and maintain" it, which presumably means roads and upkeep on the state. Not to enable productive use but so whanau can go there and bask in the mauri.
And for those Maori studies graduates adept at scheming and compiling wordy metaphorical pro maori waffle, yet another opportunity for well paid employment. To develop Environment Management Plans for their "rohe". No mention of who will apply the "plans".