Breaking Views Update: Week of 8.9.24

Saturday September 14, 2024 

News:
Māori Development Minister encourages govt agencies to be bilingual
On the eve of Māori Language Week beginning, Tama Potaka said he believes it’s “mis-characterising“ the position of the government by saying it wants to prioritise the English language over the Māori language.

“We want to make sure that [government agency] communication is done in the language that users know how to use and need,” the Māori Development Minister said on Stuff’s daily podcast, Newsable.

“I encourage all agencies to be bilingual.. and be able to communicate in te Reo Māori.”

“We’ll find over time that more New Zealanders will use te Reo Māori as their first language, and their primary language of communication,” the minister said.....
See full article HERE

Unnamed road gets te reo title despite residents' objections
An unnamed public road in Hira, north of Nelson, will be called Hawaiki Lane, despite locals calling for it to be given an English title.

Last week, a Nelson City Council hearing panel agreed the new te reo name would be given to the public road connecting Cable Bay Rd to the new Drumduan Rise subdivision.

The decision came after local iwi representatives told the panel the name Hawaiki carried mana and dignity.....
See full article HERE

Crown slammed for takutai moana rights hijack
The Waitangi Tribunal has recommended the Government halt its proposed rewrite of the Marine and Coastal Areas (Takutai Moana) Act and engage with Māori on how resource consents will be granted if iwi and hapū hold customary marine titles.

In its Takutai Moana Act 2011 Urgent Inquiry Stage 1 Report released today, the tribunal says the Crown put politics ahead of good governance, departing from orthodox and responsible policymaking.

The crown failed to consult with Māori during the development of the proposed amendments, in breach of the principle of partnership, even while consulting with commercial fishing interests which already have statutory protection..

It also breached the principle of tino rangatiratanga by exercising kāwanatanga over Māori rights and interests in the takutai moana without providing evidence for its key justification, that the public’s rights and interests require further protection beyond what is already provided by the act.....
See full article HERE

Mount Ruapehu death: Local iwi place rāhui over ski area
The Department of Conservation (DOC) released a statement today announcing that local iwi Ngāti Rangi had placed a rāhui over the ski area at Tūroa.

“They are asking that visitors respect this cultural practice,” the statement said.

“The rāhui acknowledges the sacredness of our maunga, the sacredness of the loss of life and acknowledges the family’s loss.”

The rāhui meant operations on the ski area would be paused to allow for a “quiet time” to heal the mountain.

“This is done to uplift the spirit of the deceased and restore the elements to make it safe for visitors to return,” the statement said......
See full article HERE

ACT Party leader David Seymour announces policy directive on 'need, not race'
Cabinet has issued a new directive to create a "colourblind" public service that focusses solely on need, not race, and doesn't prioritise Māori businesses when awarding government contracts.

Public Service Minister Nicola Willis made the announcement on Friday, which meets commitments in both Act and New Zealand First's coalition agreements with National.

The public service circular issued by the Cabinet Office, to prioritise need, can be read as both a rebuke and a ruling: it says the Government is concerned that public servants have been using race as proxy for need.

The new policy says: no more....
See full article HERE

Propaganda:
Far North Mayor Moko Tepania says Government should pay for Māori ward referendums - On the Tiles

Rangatahi Māori launch 'musical assault on the plague of colonisation'

Nanaia Mahuta speaks at Waikato University Kīngitanga Day

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has thrown Māori health outcomes back onto ‘the floor’ - Bayden Barber  

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 September 13, 2024 

News:

Māori Wards: Councils resentful about funding a poll put on them by coalition’s agenda

Councils are bristling at the prospect of funding a binding poll on whether to keep Māori wards saying they resent central government imposing thousands of dollars worth of costs at a time when they’re also being asked to pare down spending.

All but three of 45 councils which established the seats without a public referendum elected to retain the wards.

They must now hold a referendum to gauge the public’s will on whether to continue with the dedicated Māori representation.....

See full article HERE

'Extremely conservative' estimate suggests $4m cost to progress Treaty Principles Bill
A conservative estimate suggests it will cost about $4 million to progress the controversial, and doomed, Treaty Principles Bill to a second reading at Parliament.

The estimate, calculated by Council of Trade Unions (CTU) economist Craig Renney, suggests just 12 people would have been working to create the bill since the government was formed in November last year, and includes the legislation passing through a six-month select committee process.

It does not include costs such as contractors, consultants and lawyers, or any involvement from Crown Law, the Waitangi Tribunal, or the Human Rights Commission.

ACT Party leader David Seymour is dismissing the analysis, calling it fabricated.

Renney said his analysis is "extremely conservative".

He said realistically, many more people will be working on the legislation than he has estimated, and costs could be beyond $10m in reality.....
See full article HERE

Mana whenua forums planned for Waikato District Council
There are 39 marae in Waikato district and the mayor wants to get to know them “on a closer level”.

Planning for new mana whenua forums is in the works at Waikato District Council. One idea is to have two representatives from each marae.

The forums are something Mayor Jacqui Church has wanted for a long time, and she’s pleased it’s finally falling into place....
See full article HERE

Whittaker’s gives Miraka Kirīmi chocolate block the chop
A Whittaker’s spokesperson told Stuff the company would instead be celebrating Te Wiki o te Reo Māori with te reo lessons and other activity for staff, “producing more new recipes in te reo, and a donation to Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust”.

“Whittaker’s focus this year is on building awareness and capability in te reo and te ao Māori within our own team, and helping to normalise the use of te reo by producing recipes in te reo throughout the year, rather than by releasing a limited-edition Miraka Kirīmi (Creamy Milk) as we have done for the past couple of years.....
See full article HERE

Articles:
Bruce Moon: Democracy at Work

Parmjeet Parmar: Uni’s compulsory Treaty courses damage learning experience

David Farrar: History repeats but hysteria increases

Propaganda:
Youngest MP To Travel To Canada To Accept Politician Of The Year Award

Tiriti not open for one-sided tinkering - Tina Ngata

Māori health leaders demand government kill Treaty Principles Bill  

Thursday September 12, 2024 

News:

Treaty Principles Bill: Three principles of the bill agreed on by Cabinet

The three principles to be included in Act leader David Seymour’s Treaty Principles Bill have been agreed on by Cabinet.

1. Civil Government: The Government of New Zealand has full power to govern, and Parliament has full power to make laws. They do so in the best interests of everyone, and in accordance with the rule of law and the maintenance of a free and democratic society.

2. Rights of Hapū and Iwi Māori: The Crown recognises the rights that hapū and iwi had when they signed the Treaty. The Crown will respect and protect those rights. Those rights differ from the rights everyone has a reasonable expectation to enjoy only when they are specified in legislation, Treaty settlements, or other agreement with the Crown.

3. Right to Equality: Everyone is equal before the law and is entitled to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination. Everyone is entitled to the equal enjoyment of the same fundamental human rights without discrimination.....
See full article HERE

Two Māori ward councillors to join Napier Council in 2025; criticism over ward name
Napier City Council has decided its shape for the next local body election, with the introduction of two new Māori ward councillors and a reduction of one councillor overall.

The council met on Tuesday to iron out details and make a final decision on its representation review.

It follows on from a commitment made last week to push ahead with a Māori ward.

The council is currently made up of 13 councillors (including the mayor) but that will now be reduced to 12 councillors (including the mayor) at the next election in 2025.

Other key changes include the introduction of a Māori ward which will feature two councillors and be named Te Whanga Māori Ward (and cover all of Napier).....
See full article HERE

Distinctive exterior panels unveiled at CRL's Karanga-a-Hape Station
"Designs at all three stations reflect the Māori creation myth of Ranginui (the sky father) and Papatūānuku (the earth mother), and their son Tāne Mahuta, the god of the forest.

"Traditional designs at Karanga-a-Hape Station also acknowledge the story of Hape, a significant ancestor who journeyed to Aotearoa on the back of a stingray.....
See full article HERE

Learning for life – kaupapa Māori training at Red Cross
Beginning in February 2023, we’ve made kaupapa Māori training available for our members, volunteers, and employees. We believe that developing our collective capability in Te Ao Māori is critical to serving our mission – mobilising the power of humanity and building community resilience to improve the lives of vulnerable people.

Growing our understanding and confidence in Te Ao Māori helps us develop the tools we need to navigate our work alongside iwi Māori. It better connects us to the histories, cultural heritage, locations, and language of Aotearoa.....
See full article HERE

Mātauranga Māori in modern health
The Health Research Council has awarded $1.2 million to study hauora Māori wānanga, highlighting tikanga, mahi toi, and mātauranga tuku iho.

A ground-breaking research project led by Professor Melinda Webber and Dr Maia Hetaraka of the Faculty of Education and Social Work has been awarded the Rangahau Hauora Māori Project Grant of $1.2 million.

The project called Te unaunahi i whakapiripiri ki te ika nui a Maui, will explore the transformative power of community-led hauora wānanga.....
See full article HERE

Propaganda:
Chin Chin: Mia-Mae Taitimu-Stevens’ moko kauae dissertation earns first class honours

A bishop explains how support for the Treaty aligns with Christian unity

Treaty Principles Bill: Shane Reti urges people to 'bring respect to this debate'

Global indigenous leaders slam Government’s treatment of Māori

Māori wards: Whakatāne councillor Toni Boynton braces for more anti-Māori rhetoric

Parliamentarians praise legacy of Māori king - Waatea News

High Māori turnout best defence for Māori wards  

Wednesday September 11, 2024 

News:

Treaty Principles Bill to now include specific mention of hapū and iwi

Cabinet has agreed on the outline of the Treaty Principles Bill that will be introduced to Parliament, with a change to include specific acknowledgement of the rights of hapū and iwi.

The proposed principles from the ACT Party initially only specified that all New Zealanders had chieftainship over their land and property.

ACT leader David Seymour - who is in charge of the bill - said the agreed Bill was similar to what was in the coalition agreement, with some additional acknowledgement of the rights of hapū and iwi.

"We believe that the principles should reflect the Articles of the Treaty and, or, more specifically, Te Tiriti, and we proposed a slight change from what we initially campaigned on.

"So we're actually going to acknowledge hapū and iwi. I would say that their rights were acknowledged as the rights of all New Zealanders were acknowledged."

Seymour acknowledged the change had not been a suggestion from the coalition, "it's come from listening to people in the Māori world and beyond over the last six months or so"......
See full article HERE

'Out of line, out of order': PM slams doctors for prioritising young Māori and Pasifika
The prime minister is accusing Hawke's Bay health professionals of being "out of line" for prioritising young Māori and Pasifika.

Young people aged 14 to 24 years are no longer eligible for free GP and nurse services on the basis of these ethnicity groups.

Christopher Luxon said health professionals were wrong to implement the policy and the health minister has now intervened.

"We have a very simple approach to healthcare which is based off need, not ethnicity or race. That was out of line, out of order....
See full article HERE

Māori education advisory group established to improve outcomes
Education Minister Erica Stanford has established a Māori education ministerial advisory group made up of experienced practitioners to improve outcomes for Māori learners.

She said the group would focus on lifting achievement for Māori learners and close the equity gap that has persisted for too long in the education system.

The advisory group will be chaired by Dr Wayne Ngata (Te Aitanga a Hauiti, Ngāti Ira, Ngāti Porou), who will report directly to the minister over a two-year term starting September 2024.

Ngata is a strong advocate for the revitalisation of te reo Māori and mātauranga Māori and brings experience in academic, management and governance roles....
See full article HERE

Māori snub costly for Kaipara
Te Rūnanga ō Ngāti Whātua is taking Kaipara District Council to court over scrapping its Te Moananui ō Kaipara Māori ward.

In the High Court at Auckland tomorrow, the rūnanga will argue in its rush to disestablish the ward, as mayor Craig Jepson had consistently promised to do, the council ignored the requirement in the Local Government Act that local authorities ensure Māori involvement in decision-making processes.

Rūnanga chief executive Alan Riwaka says there has been no goodwill or honesty in the council’s approach, and any money saved by not holding a referendum next year will be lost in lawyers’ fees.

“Without getting into what it’s costing the rūnanga I know the costs to the Kaipara District Council are going to get upwards of $160,000 as I understand it so the wider public should be very concerned about the sort of money the council is wasting on this whole process,” he says.....
See full article HERE

Māori accounting scholarships on offer
Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), in partnership with Ngā Kaitatau Māori o Aotearoa (NKMoA), is offering the Ngā Raumanako Māori Scholarship and the Suzanne Spencer Memorial Māori Scholarship, designed to support and encourage Māori students (tauira Māori) in their accounting studies.

Each year, two deserving tauira Māori are awarded these scholarships, providing them with financial support and valuable networking opportunities. The aim is to increase the number of Māori within the accounting profession and to help them excel in their careers.....
See full article HERE

Act’s David Seymour gives indication of Treaty Principles Bill timeline, says Select Committee will run for six months
The contentious Treaty Principles Bill will spend six months being debated in a Parliamentary select committee, Act leader David Seymour says.

Seymour says a draft version of the bill will be released publicly in November before going through the standard six-month select committee process, lasting until sometime in May 2025.

“It will be a standard length select committee, so that takes you through to sometime around next May.”....
See full article HERE

Propaganda:
Māori Land: The Crown’s thirst for Māori land was nothing more than brutal home invasions – Rob Campbell

Treaty Principles Bill ‘damaging’ Government-Māori relationship, says Labour MP Cushla Tangaere-Manuel

Media surge in racist comments

Treaty principles bill a Trojan horse for hate, ActionStation director says

Vision for healthy waterways using mātauranga Māori and western science

‘We can do anything’ - indigenous research paving the way for rangatahi Māori

Mahuta suggests go-slow option for treaty bill  

Tuesday September 10, 2024 

News:

Treaty Principles Bill: 440 Christian leaders sign open letter asking MPs to vote no

More than 400 Christian leaders - including senior leaders of the Catholic, Anglican, and Methodist denominations in Aotearoa - have signed an open letter calling on MPs to vote down the Treaty Principles Bill.

The Bill, which has been championed by ACT leader David Seymour and will be considered by Cabinet on Monday, aims to redefine the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.

The open letter, released on Monday by the organisation Common Grace Aotearoa, expressed the Christian leaders' opposition to the Bill and their commitment to Te Tiriti.

"We affirm that Te Tiriti o Waitangi protects the tino rangatiratanga of hapū and iwi. That rangatiratanga over land and taonga is to be upheld," it said.....
See full article HERE

David Seymour hits out at church leaders over Treaty Principles Bill
In response, Seymour said his party believed all citizens should have equal rights, “not equal rights for some based on their ancestry”.

“The Treaty Principles Bill and proposed referendum are needed to ensure a healthy debate on whether our future lies with different rights based on ancestry, or whether we want to be a modern, multi-ethnic liberal democracy where every New Zealander has the same rights.”

In a post on social media Seymour said said the “core Christian principle of imago dei” automatically meant everyone has equal dignity, and the belief was at odds with the recent interpretation of the Treaty of Waitangi.

“It would be unusual, to say the least, for two thousand years of Christian faith to be overturned by a one page Treaty signed by a few hundred people in one country,” he said.

“If you wonder why church attendance and reported Christianity is in decline in New Zealand, today’s display of church leaders abandoning a core, if not the core, Christian belief to play politics might be a clue.”.....
See full article HERE

Christopher Luxon says his hands are tied on Treaty Bill, set for release in two months
The bill would propose a major constitutional change, rewriting the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It’s a project led by Associate Justice Minister David Seymour, who argues the core focus of Te Tiriti is not indigenous rights, but property rights.

Cabinet ministers agreed on Monday about how the bill should be constructed. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said he was expecting the bill to arrive at Parliament in November.

Debate about the bill has followed Luxon across the country, since he started as prime minister. It became a focal point for his Government’s relationship with iwi and Māori during the Rātana Hui, at the extraordinary Kiingitanga Hui-aa-motu, on Waitangi Day, and most recently at the final Koroneihana for the late Kiingi Tūhetia.

At each stage, Luxon has attempted to placate criticism by distancing himself from the Government bill. He said National would not support the bill to become law, but would support a public inquiry - by way of select committee - into its contents.....
See full article HERE

Te Ngaengae name for new pool reflects history and environment
The new name for the Naenae Pool and Fitness Centre - Te Ngaengae - has deep links to local rivers Waiwhetū and Te Awamutu and the creation of Te Whanganui a Tara.

Hutt City Council today approved Te Ngaengae as the name for the new complex. It was proposed by the Mana Whenua Naming Committee, supported by the Whakatupu Ngaengae Community Advisory Group.

Kara Puketapu-Dentice, Tumu Whakarae | Chief Executive Officer of Te Ātiawa Taranaki, Whānui said Taranaki Whānui is honoured to see the new Naenae Pool named Te Ngaengae, a name rich with ancestral meaning.

"Te Ngaengae reflects our deep connection to the sacred rivers, Waiwhetū and Te Awamutu, and the ancient stories that shaped this land. It is a reminder of our guardianship, our heritage, and the mana and wairua flowing through these waters that connect our past, present, and future."

Mayor Campbell Barry said the council is honoured the pool will carry a name so deeply connected to the area’s origins......
See full article HERE

The Warehouse to launch Kia Kaha te Reo Maori hoodies, kakahu
The Warehouse has signed up to be the first official apparel licensee to produce this year’s Kia Kaha te Reo Maori hoodies and new kakahu.

The licensee agreement, which forms part of The Warehouse’s partnership with Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori, will make the apparel range available for purchase nationwide.

Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori is the Maori language commission, a government agency in New Zealand.

“Working together just makes sense; they are leading the way in normalising te reo Maori for all New Zealanders,” said Ngahiwi Apanui-Barr, CEO of the commission....
See full article HERE

Article:
Seymour’s Treaty bill making Nats nervous

Ross Meurant: What is Sovereignty? What is Monarch?

Peter Williams: How Christian are the 400 Church Leaders?

Propaganda:
Councils vs Government in battle over Māori wards

Anne Salmond: A Cabinet of principles?

Māori mayor braces for disinformation wave

Tāngata tiriti turn out for Māori wards

Cabinet should stop the Treaty Principles Bill - Jackson  

Monday September 9, 2024 

News:

Town Crier opposes Māori naming of community assets

The Auckland Council initiative, named Te Kete Rukuruku, will see the Howick Local Board invite mana whenua to provide Māori names and narratives for 15 local parks and the four libraries in Botany, Highland Park, Howick, and Pakuranga.

Some parks will have dual English and Māori names while three reserves are set to have sole Māori names.

A majority of local board members voted earlier this year to support the council initiative, while people including Howick ward councillor Maurice Williamson have spoken out against it.....

See full article HERE

Articles:
Takeover by Stealth - Dr Muriel Newman.

A Dangerous Legacy - David Round.

Further $300,000 spending revealed on ‘gravy train’ workshops

Professor Jerry Coyne: A Māori defends indigenous “ways of knowing” against my critique

Update On Controversial Fast-track Approvals Bill

Facing A Challenge To Democratic Governance

Mike Butler: How the councils decided

Propaganda:
Māori do death well - why can’t we do living equally as well? Boris Sokratov

A symbol of hope for all Māori

Is it time for maori hospitals?

Vincent O’Malley: The origins of the Kīngitanga

When the wairua knows

Helmut Modlik: We’re building our own rangatiratanga

Alex Walker: Maori wards are a no-brainer

Nga wai hono i te po is ‘the right woman for the job’

Kiingitanga: Our most unique political institution  

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.