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Saturday, March 23, 2024

Breaking Views Update: Week of 17.3.24






Saturday March 23, 2024 

News:
Evidence Act should have exceptions for mātauranga Māori and tikanga, says Law Commission

The Law Commission says the hearsay rule should have exceptions for mātauranga Māori and tikanga to normalise its use as evidence.

It's one of a raft of recommendations being presented to Parliament on Friday by the commission, which concluded changes to the Evidence Act 2006 were needed "to promote the just and efficient determination of court proceedings".

The Act's rules against hearsay and opinion evidence could "create challenges for the admission of mātauranga and tikanga evidence", the report said, particularly when it derives "from the tradition of oral history or kōrero tuku iho in te ao Māori".

"We recommend creating an exception to the hearsay rule for statements concerning the existence or content of mātauranga and tikanga.....
See full article HERE

Bay of Plenty iwi-led initiative aims to reduce Oranga Tamariki uplifts
Iwi providers in the eastern Bay of Plenty hope a tikanga-led family support centre will help reduce the number of Oranga Tamariki uplifts in their rohe.

Te Pūkaea o Te Waiora is an iwi-led initiative based in Whakatāne that will provide families referred to Oranga Tamariki with options and support....
See full article HERE

Document showing Britain’s first attempt to colonise New Zealand sells at auction in London for six figures
A historic land deed showing Britain’s first attempt to colonise New Zealand, with islands in the Hauraki Gulf being bought from Māori for “one double barrel gun, eight muskets and one barrel of powder”, has sold at auction for more than $100,000.

The tattered, water-stained 198-year-old document, signed by eight Māori chiefs using their moko, or mark, outstripped an uncorrected proof copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone signed by author JK Rowling to fetch £53,740 at Bonhams auction house in London Wednesday night (NZ time)......
See full article HERE

HRC and Ngati Kahungunu ki Tamaki nui-a-Rua sign Memorandum of Partnership
Horizons Regional Council and Ngāti Kahungunu ki Tāmaki nui-a-Rua have signed a Memorandum of Partnership, formalising their mutual goal to develop a relationship of mutual respect and meaningful partnership.

The memorandum was signed by representatives of both parties on Wednesday 20 March at Awakura, a property returned to Ngāti Kahungunu ki Tāmaki nui-a-Rua as part of their Treaty settlement with the Crown in late-2022....
See full article HERE

Nelson’s Arts Strategy gets funding boost
The first installment of the $500,000 allocated for the Te Tauihutanga project has also been received. The project will be led by all eight Te Tauihu iwi and facilitate the expression of Toi Māori in the design of Nelson’s buildings, public spaces and artworks. Funding will directly contribute to the design, execution and installation of Toi Māori public artworks and developing the creative capabilities of Māori to deliver these projects.....
See full article HERE

Celebrating 20 Years Of Whakaata Māori
New Zealanders have enjoyed a broader range of voices telling the story of Aotearoa thanks to the creation of Whakaata Māori 20 years ago, says Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka.

Previously known as Māori TV, Whakaata Māori excels at telling the stories of Aotearoa from Māori perspectives and strengthening the voice of reo Māori, Minister Potaka says.....
See full article HERE

Outcomes focus in courts review
Courts Minister Nicole McKee says if courts on marae are working, they won’t be subject to ACT’s ‘we are all one’ approach to government services.

She says the coalition Government isn’t about getting rid of things because they are Maori.

It wants to be sure Te Pae Oranga iwi and community panels, rangatahi courts and the Te Ao Marama framework where courts partner with iwi and communities are working......
See full article HERE

Air Force advisor committed to maintaining integrity of Maōri culture
His goals is to ensure that the air force’s people are “culturally safe” in te ao Māori spaces.

A cultural advisor for the Royal New Zealand Air Force is ensuring that the use of tīkanga and kawa are being upheld and maintained.....
See full article HERE

Proposed site for new Whangārei Airport back up for discussion with hapū
Local hapū came face-to-face with Te Kārearea, the strategic committee made up of hapū and Whangārei District Council this week.

Ruatangata, a settlement northwest of Whangārei has been the preferred site for the new Whangārei Airport, but local kaumātua Taki says no adequate consultation has taken place in over two years.

Hapū are concerned the new build may have significant impacts on the environment, saying there are other ways the project can be done that won’t be as harmful. It is demanding more partnership.....
See full article HERE

Articles:
Paul Paynter: The Te Tiriti o Waitangi journey


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 March 22, 2024 

News: 
Kaitāia GP taking legal action against council over ‘huge loss’ on occupied land sale 
Far North District Council has defended buying an occupied section at Ahipara to be placed into a reserve that the owner says left him around $130,000 out of pocket.

Kaitāia GP Cecil Williams is thinking about leaving the town after 35 years after being “forced” to sell his property that had been occupied by a local iwi - for around $130,000 less than its official Quotable Value.

Williams is also looking at taking the council to task through the legal system to try to recoup some of his losses......
See full article HERE

Morgan warns mining on DOC land settlement breach
Te Arataura executive chair Tukoroirangi Morgan is warning any mining on conservation land in the Waikato Tainui rohe will trigger a clause in the Tainui settlement requiring the land to be turned over.

Resources Minister Shane Jones has promoted a more permissive approach to mining, including on the conservation estate.

Mr Morgan says as part of the Tainui settlement, land under the Department of Conservation was handed over to the iwi for a day and then returned to the crown for safekeeping.

“It was a commitment never to tamper, desecrate, or denigrate in any way, shape or form those DOC lands and should the original purpose change, those lands would come back at nil value because they were cultural redress. So if the crown suddenly has a change of mind for those DOC estates in our rohe, it is a breach of our settlement and we will take them to the high court,” he says.
See full article HERE

Pupils learning life skills from new programme
Te Manahuna Kāhui Ako (Mackenzie district community of learning) year 6 pupils were treated to a day of fun, games and plenty of learning as they began a new government funded initiative at Te Aitarakihi Marae-a-Iwi last week.

Pupils were welcomed on to the grounds with a pōwhiri and then spent the day learning tikanga Māori, playing games in te reo, taking part in kapa haka as well having visits from Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) and police.....
See full article HERE

Canadian first nations people, Māori partnering on indigenous filmmaking
“This is just the start of a collaboration with some of our iwi from Kānata (Canada) but it is an exciting time. There are some amongst us who have already made some connections and that are a bit further along before us at Awa Films. This is the first step into co-production with Canada.”....
See full article HERE

New horizons for iwi and regional council
A partnership forged in the bush should mean more than one signed around a board table.

Ngāti Kahungunu ki Tāmaki nui-a-Rua and Horizons Regional Council have signed a memorandum of partnership, an agreement where they will work to create opportunities to help the iwi.....
See full article HERE

New Tumuaki A Boon For Māori Wellbeing And Prosperity In Poneke
Tumuaki – Chief Executive appointment a boon for Māori wellbeing and prosperity

Supporting Māori wellbeing and prosperity has been strengthened with the creation of a Tumuaki position at Te Matarau a Māui, the Wellington Regional Māori economic development agency.

Established in 2020, Te Matarau works collaboratively with mana whenua, iwi, local and central government and the innovation ecosystem in Whanganui-a-Tara, to support the interests of Māori in business, education, community connectivity, te taiao and more.....
See full article HERE

Ngāi Tahu Invites South Island Councils To Work Together On Water Services
Ngāi Tahu kaiwhakahaere Justin Tipa invited South Island councils to work together and with the iwi to collectively address the challenge of ensuring safe, affordable, and sustainable water services at today’s Local Government New Zealand conference.

“We understand the consequences of historical underinvestment affecting many South Island council districts in the takiwā, and have felt the effects especially in our own communities,” Mr Tipa said. “Around a third of Ngāi Tahu marae lack reticulated water supplies, and the status quo in freshwater management including storm and wastewater has comprehensively failed our traditional waterways and lands.”...
See full article HERE

Propaganda:
Solving racism: Mokopuna want te reo Māori compulsory in schools

Young people encounter racism most often at school, report reveals

Wastewater tests show low alcohol use in Māori communties  

Thursday March 21, 2024 

News: 
Environment Canterbury agree to look at Waitaki River management proposal – ORC 
In separate meetings today Canterbury Regional Council and Otago Regional Council voted to explore a proposal for the future shared management of the Waitaki River – which borders South Canterbury and North Otago.

“This proposal was an iwi led request to the respective Councils’ to consider a joined-up approach, with the desire to see the river managed holistically – from a ‘source to sea’ point of view as a guiding principle,” Cr Robertson says.

Shared management would be a collaborative effort which would provide for both Councils and iwi to be at the table, Cr Robertson says.....
See full article HERE

Indigenous rights in the spotlight at constitutional conference
Thought leaders are coming together at Waipapa Taumata Rau to discuss practical steps towards designing an inclusive constitution for Aotearoa New Zealand.

The UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Francisco Calí Tzay is conducting an academic visit to Aotearoa New Zealand to participate in the Designing our Constitution conference at the University of Auckland this April.

The conference, jointly hosted by the University’s Centre for Indigenous Peoples and the Law, Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission and National Iwi Chairs Forum, is part of a series of hui inspired by the landmark report Matike Mai, and in memory of Dr Moana Jackson.

Over two days, thought leaders from across the country, including Professor of Māori studies Margaret Mutu and Indigenous rights and constitutional law specialist Professor Claire Charters, will come together to discuss the state of Indigenous rights in Aotearoa.....
See full article HERE

More on the above here > New Zealand’s Indigenous Rights Record To Face Global Spotlight

'A sad day for Rotorua': Lakeland Queen goes into liquidation
It comes after the company ceased trading due to Covid-19 three years ago, and after its owner opposed a controversial direction to build, gift to iwi, then lease a new jetty in order to resume operations at Rotorua's Lakefront.

It had since been drydocked on iwi-gifted Rotorua Lakes Council land, but vessel owner Terry Hammond was ordered in January to remove it by mid-July after it was described as "an eyesore".
See full article HERE

Muka Tangata to simplify food and fibre qualifications
Muka Tangata is launching two major qualifications development projects for all food and fibre entry level and agriculture qualifications, standards and micro-credentials.

Muka Tangata will work alongside industry partners, iwi and hapū Māori, and training providers across the regions to obtain a broad view of the sector’s needs. This will include an in-depth analysis of the agriculture industries, clarifying the needs of vocational education and training partners, identifying potential gaps in the existing educational qualifications and programmes, and working out what needs to change.

To meet the needs of the ever-growing Māori agribusiness sector, Muka Tangata will work with iwi and hapū Māori, Māori businesses, kaimahi in these industries, and kaiako and ākonga involved in training either at school or through a provider......
See full article HERE

A Mega lot of steps in the right direction
Blue Light’s Tracey Newland says after a lot of hard work the project will be blessed on 23 March, when the group will also unveil stage one of its Iwi Murals project, completed in partnership with Ngati Te Ata Waiohua and Franklin Local Board.

“It made sense to get involved with mana whenua to tell the story of the area in the murals that now grace the centre. They reflect our partnership with Ngati Te Ata Waiohua, and its involvement with the camp, where it holds fishing, weaving and bone-carving programmes.”

A second Iwi Mural stage will be completed in 2025.....
See full article HERE

Damaged treaty display makes minister unhappy
Culture and Heritage Minister Paul Goldsmith has told Te Papa to take down the Treaty of Waitangi display damaged by activists.

In December members of protest roopu Wakahourua used paint and angle grinders to deface the part of the Signs of a Nation display showing the English text of the treaty.

Mr Goldsmith says he has told the museum’s board he expects it to be removed......
See full article HERE

Treaty clauses must be fine tuned says PM
The Prime Minister is downplaying a decision that future legislation won’t contain general treaty clauses.

Christopher Luxon says clauses will only be included when the law has clear Treaty of Waitangi implications.

He says the treaty is sacrosanct and his Government has no intention of changing it....
See full article HERE

Marae access only for MP
Tāmaki Makaurau MP Takutai-Moana Natasha Kemp wants to establish constituency offices on Auckland marae.

There was controversy at having a polling booth at Manurewa Marae, where the then-Te Pati Māori canbdidate was the manager, but she says that was an Electoral Commission decision.

She says the new plan is different, and she plans to ask Parliamentary Services to fund space at Manurewa Marae, Ruapōtaka in Glen Innes and Hoani Waititi Marae in west Auckland.....
See full article HERE

Propaganda:
Inclusive workplaces for kaimahi Māori: (Māori Employment Action Plan)

Iwi plans to keep waterways clean generation by generation

Iwi share distress, sadness as company fined for damaging Marlborough archaeological site  

Wednesday March 20, 2024 

News: 
Minister firm on Oranga Tamariki amendment bill 
Minister for Children, Karen Chhour continues to back her decision to introduce the bill to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act, which requires the organisation to take into account the Treaty of Waitangi.

But she plans to continue devolving resources to iwi to help with their children.

“We are devolving back to the community in some areas and that’s fantastic because I don’t want to see kids in care but, if the ultimate decision is that a young person goes into care, then I won’t apologise for keeping children safe,” Chhour says.

Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act was introduced in 2017 by the previous National government. The aim was to prioritise placing Māori children within their extended family or iwi when they need care and protection.

However, Chhour says the legislation has created conflict between protecting the best interests of the child and race-based factors enshrined in 7AA.....
See full article HERE

Crown Put To The Test Before The Waitangi Tribunal On Health System Inequities
The ongoing battle for justice through achieving fair and equitable Māori health outcomes is far from over with the Crown. Two key new developments are now happening in the Waitangi Tribunal.

Claimants in WAI3307 have filed an amended Statement of Claim evidencing prejudice in the Pae Ora (Disestablishment of Māori Health Authority) Amendment Act 2024 due to it being inconsistent with the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

“There was no justice in the Bill’s passing. It was a blatant disregard for the Waitangi Tribunal and what it stands for and democracy,” says Lady Tureiti Moxon, lead co-claimant, Chair of the National Urban Māori Authority and Managing Director of Te Kōhao Health.....
See full article HERE

Disable Māori missing out
Health services claimants are today grilling the acting Director General of Health and the chief executive of the Ministry of Disabled People over continuing inequities in the health and disability system.

Lady Tureiti Moxon says the Government may have stopped an urgent hearing on her claim against the disestablishment of Te Aka Whai Ora by rushing the legislation through, but other claims before the tribunal allow the issues to be probed.

For example, only 12 percent of disabled Māori receiving home support get it from a Māori provider....
See full article HERE


Tuesday March 19, 2024 

News: 
Tiaki Taonga - Protecting taonga Māori 
That question is at the heart of the groundbreaking WAI 262 claim.

The claim was lodged at the Waitangi Tribunal in 1991 by six claimants on behalf of six iwi - Ngāti Kuri, Te Rarawa and Ngātiwai from Northland, Ngāti Porou and Ngāti Kahungunu from the East Coast and Ngāti Koata from the top of the South Island.

WAI 262 is commonly known as the Fauna, Flora and Intellectual Property Rights claim. It seeks the protection of taonga Māori by tangata Māori......
See full article HERE

Symbols of cultural significance placed on Mauao
The recent addition of new sculptures on Mauao has sparked excitement and appreciation among locals and visitors alike.

These stunning pieces of incredible cultural significance have been placed on the Mauao as part of the Mauao Placemaking project.....
See full article HERE

Resource change can’t be rushed minister warned
A constitutional law expert says iwi and Māori will need to be consulted before changes are made to the rules around significant natural areas.

University of Otago professor Andrew Geddes called out Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard for telling councils they would be unwise to bother doing any work on implementing the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity because the Government intends to change the Resource Management Act within the next three years.

Professor Geddes says that would put councils in a sticky spot, because they have to follow the law as it is today.....
See full article HERE

Whakarongorau chief executive defends shorter queue for Māori callers
Whakarongorau's chief executive is correcting perceptions that the organisation is biased towards one particular group.

The telehealth organisation has an option for Māori callers to be redirected to a separate queue with the touch of a button.

Chief executive Glynis Sandland says this measure is designed to put callers in touch with a Māori clinician- and they get moved to the regular queue if none are available.....
See full article HERE

Kiingi Tuheitia Holds Audience With Green Party
Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII has hosted members of the Green Party Caucus at Tuurangawaewae Marae in Ngaaruawahia.

The audience follows the King’s Hui-aa-Motu on 20 January, where more than 10,000 people gathered to discuss national unity and the ongoing struggle for Maaori self-determination.

Kiingitanga spokesman Ngira Simmonds says the audience with the Green Party MPs was focused on the same issues.....
See full article HERE

Propaganda:
Tā Mason Durie reflects on advances in Māori Health over the past four decades

Peters trash talking says Henare

‘Non-Maaori organisations told to stop determining what is best for Maaori’  

Monday March 18, 2024  

News: 
Kāpiti Coast hapū looks forward to airing grievances before Waitangi Tribunal 
A hapū on Kāpiti Coast says it is looking to forward to presenting its stories of dispossession and disadvantage to the Waitangi Tribunal this week.

The Waitangi Tribunal is convening at Te Pou o Tainui Marae at Ōtaki this week to hear the treaty claims of Ngāti Kapu and the Baker whānau.

The hearings offered "Ngāti Kapu the chance to share narratives of land confiscation, language loss, and the enduring social and economic impacts of colonization", he said.....
See full article HERE

Behind the diplomatic niceties lies a national shame
But what has been a standard use of Māori protocols , adopted by the Department of Internal Affairs’ Visits and Ceremonial Office, underwent a major shift when Nanaia Mahuta became Aotearoa New Zealand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Her inaugural speech, significantly delivered at Waitangi, reflected a commitment to push tikanga Māori to the fore of the country’s foreign policy making. Academics have quoted this reference in her 2021 speech: “… the principles of partnership and mutual respect embedded in the Treaty provided the foundation of how New Zealand conducts foreign policy today”.

Given the nature of NZ First’s support base, the current Foreign Affairs Minister, Winston Peters, had repeatedly signalled a return to the Anglosphere of New Zealand’s traditional allies.Viewed by most Māori as being against Māori self-determination, the coalition Government is happy to abandon the values of tikanga Māori in foreign policy making as advocated by Mahuta, and happy to just use Māori protocols for ceremonial embellishment......
See full article HERE

Articles:
John Porter: Can We Fight Critical Race Theory?

Resetting the Media - Dr Muriel Newman.

Mike Butler: Hunting moa in 1400BC

Propaganda:
What to do if your boss tells you to stop using te reo Māori

‘It’s engrained and entrenched snobbery’: why Māori don’t want to live on Māori land

We go to more tangi

Treaty Principles Bill: Painting over Te Tiriti  

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

5 comments:

Robert Arthur said...

I was able to figure where Mauao is from the aerial photo. Next time I climb I will take my miniature toy cars. If the stone doodles and placemnt of had been donated ad palced by by some privtel fundthen I might be mildly impressed. Seems to owe more to Henry Moore than maori.
Modern English teachers must be swamped with passges fro comprehension. Of course I do not attempt the te reo but the meanings in English also tax me.

Robert Arthur said...

re 21st. As if Moana Jackson and Margaret Mutu have not done enough damage in NZ with their tours a few years ago of rebel bases (marae) preaching imagine decolinisation, Mutu and other notable malcontent Charters are party to aconference on indigenous rights, part in memory of ultra glib stirrer Jackson. Given a few days of reading I reckn I could write the outcome for the meeting. (English version)

Anonymous said...

More Tikanga-creep without formal approval by Parliament.
The judiciary is out of control

Anonymous said...

re 23rd. The recently released Law Commission report on the law of evidence is shocking. It is another example (to add to NZSC decisions on tikanga) of how the fundamentals of the New Zealand legal system are being eroded through ethnic exceptionalism.

The basic human rights of all New Zealanders are threatened by such proposals. It will be fascinating to observe how the current government responds.

LFC

Anonymous said...

The GOVERNMENT is responsible. It has ALLOWED this to happen. The BUCK stops with our Government, who are the REAL problem for the cause and effect that afflicts 'we the people'.