Breaking Views Update: Week of 18.2.24

Saturday February 24, 2024 

News:
Government could bring forward bill to close Māori Health Authority, avoiding Waitangi Tribunal defence
The Government looks set to jump ahead of legal action challenging its policy of closing Te Aka Whai Ora, the Māori Health Authority, by introducing the bill to do so just two days ahead of an urgent hearing at the Waitangi Tribunal.

Crown lawyers have told the Tribunal that a bill to wind down Te Aka Whai Ora could be introduced as early as Tuesday, the next sitting day of Parliament.

The Tribunal had scheduled an urgent hearing regarding this policy for Thursday and Friday. But it has no authority to consider issues before Parliament, so if the Government does introduce its bill earlier than expected, then it may kybosh this legal challenge.....
See full article HERE

Valuing Te Ao Māori requires staff to understand key Māori concepts and practices ... • Celebrate Māori culture and support te reo Māori to flourish.
The name “Te Pae o Uta”1 derives from a karakia used by Nukutawhiti, the grandson of Kupe upon his arrival into Hokianga on the waka Ngātokimatawhaorua and refers to the “sight of land” upon entering the Hokianga Harbour which gave Nukutawhiti and all aboard Ngātokimatawhaorua a sense of having arrived safely to their destination having navigated the turbulent waters of Te Moana-nui-ā-Kiwa and many trials and tribulations from Hawaiki to Aotearoa.

This incantation sought guidance and safe passage from the spiritual powers to help Nukutawhiti navigate the powerful elements of the Hokianga Harbour known as Te Taitama Tāne, a metaphoric reference to the dangerous and unpredictable waters of the West Coast of Northland....
See full article HERE

Annotations on the Treaty of Waitangi
In late 2022, councillors requested an annotated bibliography on the Treaty of Waitangi as a development resource. We are pleased to present 21 meticulously crafted annotations, thanks to the work of two Tai-ranga-whenua intern students.

This collection explores the evolving nature of the principles of the Treaty and the obligations that creates for local government decision makers. It serves an informational purpose and therefore includes a variety of viewpoints that do not necessarily reflect that of Waikato Regional Council. Although great care has been taken to ensure the annotations provided are relevant, they are not intended to be a full and complete list of the narratives and dissertations on this topic.....
See full article HERE

Woman's possible 5-year exclusion from real estate for protest against Māori values program 'cultural wokeness' - Winston Peters
Winston Peters is irate a woman's career may possibly be temporarily halted after she refused to partake in a Māori values course.

The controversy started after real estate agent Janet Dickson called the course "woke madness" on social media, Open Justice reported.

Having refused to take the Te Kākano course, Dickson was facing a five-year licence cancellation by the Real Estate Authority (REA).

In a post on Friday, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters spoke out in defence of Dickson.

"NZ First campaigned warning this was what was going to happen... a dangerous future of cultural wokeness being forced upon people with threats of being cancelled and losing your job or promotions if you didn't comply," he said on X.

"This is the reality now. And we intend to stop it." ....
See full article HERE

Luxon needs to pull ACT Party’s reins in says Mutu
A spokesperson for the National Iwi Chairs Forum says the Prime Minister is failing in his duty to bring ACT Party leader David Seymour into line – while he continues to spread lies and misinformation about the Treaty of Waitangi and Māori rights.

Professor Margaret Mutu, who spent 30 years researching Te Tiriti and colonisation, says the Seymour-led ACT Party is deliberately misinforming New Zealanders about what Te Tiriti o Waitangi actually said – and the differences between Māori and other New Zealanders rights under it.

Ms Mutu says, “If you have a look at the ACT web page that deals with this, it is just so full of… well I can’t say it any other way… lies, absolute lies about Māori and about what Te Tiriti actually says”.

Professor Mutu says ACT wants New Zealanders to believe Māori actually ceded their sovereignty when they never did – and she also says Prime Minister Chris Luxon’s failure to bring David Seymour into line – just encourages him further.....
See full article HERE

Tiriti talk part of district tour
Presenting a talk on Te Tiriti o Waitangi/The Treaty of Waitangi at Wānaka Library on February 15 is mātua Darren Rewi.

The talk, which was one of a series Mr Rewi is holding at libraries across the Queenstown Lakes District, focused on the document’s relevance today, and the impact felt in the region.....
See full article HERE

Māori leaders claim lack of consultation on bus service
Tanenuiarangi Manawatū chief executive Danielle Harris said Horizons Regional Council did not sufficiently engage with Rangitāne o Manawatū in planning the new service.

Read said Horizons signed a Memorandum of Partnership with Rangitāne o Manawatū in 2007, and regularly involved iwi and hapū in discussions about managing natural resources.

It had not been common to involve them in the early stages of transport planning, but that was changing, Read said.....
See full article HERE

Articles:
John Porter: Should Maori Have Sovereignty Over New Zealand?

Graham Adams: Media chiefs struggle to understand democracy.

Propaganda:
Māori getting ‘creative’ to become global leaders in kai and fibre

Government Haste Gives Unequal Access To Cultural Reports  

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 23, 2024 

News: 

Realtor Janet Dickson facing five-year ban for refusing Māori values course 

A real estate agent is facing a five-year ban after refusing to complete a compulsory short course on Māori culture and tikanga.

Janet Dickson labelled the course “woke madness” in a Facebook post and said that she was going to fight for her rights “to make sure this doesn’t happen to anyone else”.

Her refusal is based on concerns that an industry body can force its members to complete training “on a subject that is only peripherally connected to their job under threat of losing their right to work.”

As part of that fight she’s seeking a judicial review of the Real Estate Authority’s power to enforce cultural training for the country’s realtors…..
See full article HERE

School unveils carvings, given Māori place-names
A Dunedin school hopes to reinvigorate original Dunedin places names through its new carvings.

Balmacewen Intermediate School unveiled four new carvings that represented its school houses but also traditional Māori names for places in the city. They were named Whakaari (Wakari), Āraiteuru (the waka that some Ngāi Tahu ancestors arrived in), Kaikārae (Kaikorai stream) and Whānaupaki (Flagstaff).

Principal Andrew Hunter said there was a growing need to keep developing New Zealand’s history…..
See full article HERE

Mental Health Minister says he’s committed to by Māori, for Māori approach
“I firmly believe we need services that are by Māori, for Māori - whether it’s kaupapa, or tikanga Māori services. Because that is the stuff that breaks down the stigma and the discrimination and the barriers for people to access support,” Minister Matt Doocey told Stuff’s Newsable podcast on Thursday.

The minister denied the scrapping of the Māori Health Authority would hamper his plans.

“I think it actually frees up resources.. what we’ve said for Māori delivered services, is we’ll have them inside one system. I’ve already worked and talked to a range of iwi providers, and I’m really keen to work alongside them because they know their community.”….
See full article HERE

Ongoing commitment to reduce health inequities for Māori supported with more HRC funding
The Health Research Council have awarded $1.4 million to the project Technology and Kaiāwhina-Based Support to Optimise Diabetes Management for Māori. The project will commence in October 2024.

Academic lead and Associate Professor of Health, Dr Lynne Chepulis, says healthcare inequity between Māori and non-Māori is significant.

“We need system-level changes to improve outcomes for Māori and Pacific peoples, including for T2D where health outcomes are consistently worse for Māori,” she says…..
See full article HERE

Te reo Māori blossoming with the grapes in Te Tauihu via corrected road signs
The winds of change are blowing through the Marlborough district as the local council and community embrace te reo Māori.

Three years ago, Te Rūnanga ā Rangitāne o Wairau Trust asked the Marlborough District Council to put macrons on a dozen incorrect te reo Māori signs and now its happened.

Rūnanga general manager Corey Hebberd says Marlborough has been known as a hub for South Island reo Māori revival, so the little steps are really great to see.

He says the naming of the Blenheim’s new library, Te Kahu o Waipuna last year, and now the street signs, is showing positive community engagement with te reo.

Corey Hebberd says inside Te Kahu o Waipuna , carries te reo Māori first on all its signage…..
See full article HERE  

Thursday February 22, 2024 

News: 

Strengthening Te Ao Māori got new air force cultural advisor 

Flight Lieutenant Thomas “Cookie” Cookson says the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) is on a pathway of positive change when it comes to incorporating te ao Māori into its culture.

From a cultural perspective, the Defence Force was heading in a positive direction, he said.

“We’re really looking to adopt a more te ao Māori foundation and there is a good acknowledgement of te Tiriti o Waitangi – the Treaty of Waitangi – and that’s going to flow throughout the whole organisation…..

See full article HERE

Treaty sacrosanct says Luxon
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says he’s not changing the Treaty of Waitangi, despite the efforts of his ACT coalition partner.

The National Party leader has been hardening up his language on ACT’s Treaty Principles Bill even as ACT leader David Seymour tries to generate wider public support for his interpretation of the document.

The bill will go to first reading so the public can make submissions to a select committee on whether to hold a referendum….
See full article HERE

Far North council wants feedback on how people want to be represented
Far North folk are being asked by the council how they want to be represented, including if they want more Māori wards and if they feel they are effectively served by their local body politicians.

‘’Specifically, we’re interested in your thoughts on the current boundary of the district-wide Māori Ward adopted by the council in 2021. There are four councillors representing this ward. Are you happy with this arrangement? There is an option to have more than one Māori Ward (up to four). How many Māori Wards would provide effective and fair representation for our district?’’

Currently, Māori Ward councillors sitting on community boards lack voting rights. They can provide advice but cannot formally make decisions.

‘’Should Māori Ward councillors be appointed to and vote on community boards?’’….
See full article HERE

Māori To Explore Low Carbon Land Use Thanks To $40,000 Grant
‘Discovery tours’ will be organised for joint Māori landowners in the Bay this year to showcase low carbon land use options and help ignite the Māori economy.

The tours will be organised by Toi Kai Rawa with the support of a $40,000 grant from BayTrust…..
See full article HERE

Digging way to self-reliance
Energy and Resources Minister Shane Jones says he’d like iwi to rethink their attitude to mining.

Mr Jones says many iwi leaders have a dim view of resource extraction, despite the fact many of the biggest beneficiaries are likely to be Māori who are now in high-paying mining jobs in Australia.

While there will be disruption to the natural environment, the industry has developed sophisticated ways to reinstate what was there before…..
See full article HERE

Propaganda:
Te Tai Tokerau business agreement fosters eco-system of Māori business excellence

Native American partnership spotlights Maori creatives – Tapuwae Roa

Kura Reo courses sell out in minutes as demand grows  

Wednesday February 21, 2024 

News: 

Waitangi Tribunal to launch urgent inquiry into scrapping of Māori Health Authority 

The Waitangi Tribunal will go ahead with an urgent inquiry into the disestablishment of Te Aka Whai Ora, the Māori Health Authority.

Plans to scrap the authority in December 2023 by the coalition government were challenged by Māori health advocates, who requested an urgent hearing into the matter.

A memorandum from the Crown submitted to the tribunal late last month opposed the inquiry, arguing the tribunal should wait until the legislative process was concluded before deciding whether an inquiry was needed.

It also argued the tribunal adhere to a 'non-interference' principle, which states the courts not allow their processes to interfere with the functioning of other branches, like Parliament…..
See full article HERE

Auckland War Memorial Museum plans to shift from ‘colonial museum’ to ‘Te Tiriti-led museum’
The Auckland War Memorial Museum plans to move from what it describes as a “colonial museum” to “a Te Tiriti-led museum” which will operate as a social impact organisation.

“The first shift sees us move from a colonial Museum to a Te Tiriti-led Museum,” the plan reads. ”This builds upon our bicultural foundation, which in our context recognises Māori as Tangata Whenua. The other strand is Tangata Tiriti – the people of the Treaty – which includes all other cultures and communities that now call Aotearoa New Zealand home by virtue of the Treaty. This approach includes everyone.”….
See full article HERE

How Wellington is getting its macron on
It has taken just six years but Wellington streets are about to get a macron — to boost māramatanga in Māori as well as English.

The long-running saga has come to light thanks to a paper this week to a Wellington City Council committee about what to name a new Tawa private right-of-way.

The Tawa Community Board had suggested a name in honour of New Zealand cricket great, grandfather of White Ferns Amelia and Jess Kerr, and former Tawa College principal Bruce Murray. But that was complicated by a Bruce Ave existing in Brooklyn and a Murray St in Island Bay.

But the Tawa board had supported the name Te Ara Kōhūhū, after a tree found in the area, and community board chairperson Jill Day confirmed it was expected to get the board’s official endorsement on Monday night……
See full article HERE

Ngāti Kuri testing Indigenous fire management
Northernmost iwi Ngāti Kuri is looking for Indigenous knowledge from across Tasman to learn traditional cultural practices to prevent or manage wildfires.

A group travelled to north Queensland in August to meet with the Girringun, and a group of Girringun rangers are visiting Muriwhenua in March…..
See full article HERE

Auckland Council agrees to lease land for West Auckland marae
The agreement will see 2.5 hectares of Harbourview-Orangihina Park in Te Atatū Peninsula leased to the Te Atatū Marae Coalition for 14 years, after which they can choose to renew it.

The marae would be developed in stages, including construction of a wharenui, wharekai, whareiti, whare āwhina and kaumātua flats…..
See full article HERE

Articles:
Dave Witherow: What’s Next?  

Tuesday February 20, 2024 

News: 

New minister ready to restart Treaty negotiations with New Zealand’s largest iwi 

The new Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations is keen to progress Ngāpuhi Treaty negotiations, meeting face-to-face with key people as part of Waitangi commemorations.

Paul Goldsmith said he would like to progress Treaty negotiations “without delay” and his meetings across Northland this month were a good step forward.

One Ngāpuhi sub-tribe keen to progress swiftly with its own negotiations is Ngāti Hine, said spokesman Pita Tipene.

Ngāti Hine - an iwi in itself, with 50,000 members and nine sub-tribes - successfully met with Goldsmith at Waitangi, he said.

“We put very clearly that we are seeking a mandate for Ngāti Hine and our nine hapū and will not be part of any large natural grouping that the Government might be trying to put through…..
See full article HERE

Foreign landlords no answer for housing crisis
A Māori housing advocacy group says the idea of opening the door for foreign investors to build for-profit rental accommodation profit, will only worsen housing affordability – especially for Māori.

“Government needs to start valuing the opportunities in partnering with Maori providers… with iwi providers, and look at us as an option to build to scale,” Ms Hamlin-Paenga says.

She says while foreign investors may have the money for mass building projects, they are done only for profit – not wider community needs….
See full article HERE

Articles:
Gerry Eckhoff: Waitangi - Treaty or Taniwha

Clive Bibby: We won’t achieve what the main players don’t want.

Geoff Parker: The News Media role in advancing Maori interests.

The Treaty of Waitangi – a force for unity or division?

Claims for customary title to Whāngarei Harbour in court

Tikanga in the law – a recipe for chaos?

Propaganda:
Paula Penfold: Cultural reports system needs interrogation

Michael versus the Goliaths

Whispers from the whenua

Why give breath to the coalition?

ACT Leader Blurring The Lines

Policies driving Māori into gutter says Tamihere 

Sunday February 18, 2024 

News:

Whangārei Harbour customary titles hearing begins 

Discussions surrounding customary titles, collective agreements and historical dialogues are unfolding in court, shaping the future dynamics between the local Māori community and Whangārei Harbour.

The Marine and Coastal Area Act (MACA) was passed under John Key’s National Government in 2011 in response to Labour’s controversial Foreshore and Seabed Act of 2004, which in turn followed a 2003 Court of Appeal ruling that Māori customary rights to the foreshore and seabed had not been extinguished.

The MACA provided for the recognition of Māori customary rights in parts of the marine and coastal area that aren’t already in private ownership or part of a conservation area.

Under the current law, an iwi or hapū applicant group has to meet two main criteria before customary title is recognised: it has to hold the area in accordance with Māori customs and practices and it has to have been exclusively used and occupied since 1840 without substantial interruption.....
See full article HERE 

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.