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Saturday, November 2, 2024

Breaking Views Update: Week of 27.10.24







Saturday November 2, 2024 

News:
Te Arawhiti - the Office for Māori Crown Relations set to lose 40% of its staff - union

Te Arawhiti - the Office for Māori Crown Relations - is being "gutted" with 40 percent of staff set to go, according to the Public Service Association.

Under proposals revealed to staff today, 44 roles will move to Te Puni Kōkiri, which will take over some of its key functions, while a further 42 roles of the remaining 170 will be axed.

Eight new roles will be established.

Te Arawhiti - the Office for Māori Crown Relations will focus on its legislative functions to progress settlements under Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act.

Te Puni Kōkiri will take over the post Treaty settlement implementation function and other functions.....
See full article HERE

Kura kaupapa Māori wins $166k at literacy awards in US
Kura kaupapa Māori have won a prize of US$100,000 at the Library of Congress Literacy Awards in Washington DC.

Te Rūnanga Nui o Ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori – the body which overseas more than 60 schools across Aotearoa – is bringing the Kislak Family Foundation Prize and the prize money which equates to roughly NZ$166,000, back to Aotearoa.

The prize – the second biggest of the awards – is awarded to an organisation based either inside or outside of the United States with an outsized impact on literacy....
See full article HERE

Māori academics take aim at Royal Society Te Apārangi in open letter
Prominent Māori academics have taken aim at the Royal Society Te Apārangi about its proposed governance restructure which will remove dedicated Māori representation from its council while shoring up the power of its Academy of Fellows.

Signatories to the open letter addressed to the society president, Distinguished Professor Dame Jane Harding, include distinguished professors, Royal Society Fellows and members of the society’s Māori Electoral College.

The letter condemns the proposed governance restructure, which will halve the council’s size, from 12 to six, and remove its two existing Māori seats.....
See full article HERE

Pou Whenua blessing honours Tongariro
A beautiful new Pou Whenua at the beginning of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing will introduce visitors to the sacred landscape they are entering, says Conservation Minister Tama Potaka.

Mr Potaka attended a blessing for the specially carved Pou Whenua at Mangatepopo, at the start of the track on 1 November. It represents Te Ririo, a significant figure in the histories of Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro, hapū of Ngāti Tūwharetoa.....
See full article HERE

Propaganda:
Jennifer Ward-Lealand on the terror and joy of championing te reo Māori

Treaty principles are clear. Why are politicians creating uncertainty? - Carwyn Jones

Māori principals advocate for comprehensive history education  

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 November 1, 2024 

News:
Gang Crackdown: Māori leaders push back on police tactics, rhetoric over Mongrel Mob raids
Iwi leader Willie Te Aho has slammed police tactics for the trauma left on children having to watch their parents arrested after orchestrated raids on Mongrel Mob homes in Auckland, Taupo, Wellington and Bay of Plenty resulted in 28 arrests and 99 drugs charges.

“No more will we tolerate this.”

“I stated that: “We are the mana of this land......
See full article HERE

More on the above here > Ōpōtiki raids: Te Whakatōhea deny being consulted, Police say they were ‘supportive’

Netsafe And Federation Of Maori Authorities Sign Memorandum Of Understanding
New Zealand’s online safety agency, Netsafe, and the Federation of Māori Authorities(FOMA), have today signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work collaboratively on digital safety and competency.

The key tenet of the document is that Netsafe will partner with FOMA to grow and work with its members on online safety matters, and it provides a framework for how the two organisations will work together.....
See full article HERE

Board appointed for new Rolleston subdivision school
A board has been appointed to govern the new primary school being built in Rolleston.

Vermeulen said the school’s name was gifted by Te Taumutu Rūnanga.

Horopito is a forest shrub that thrives in moist, temperate environments, preferring shade. Te Rau Horopito recognises resilience, adaptability, strength and the ability to provide healing.

“The gifted name reflects the school’s connection to local iwi/hapū and the rich cultural heritage of the surrounding area,” Vermeulen said.

“This connection to the whenua and the values of Ngāi Te Ruahikihiki will play a central role in shaping the school’s vision and guiding its future.”....
See full article HERE

Government delays kura Māori truancy reporting policy
The government is delaying mandatory truancy reporting for Kura Māori as it seeks to align with tikanga and kaupapa values under the new system.

Associate Minister of Education David Seymour says while Kura Māori demonstrate high achievement levels, there is disagreement over what constitutes attendance.....
See full article HERE

Nelson Tenths case: Iwi entitled to thousands of hectares of land and millions in compensation
Iwi from the top of Te Waipounamu are entitled to thousands of hectares of land and millions of dollars in compensation for a land deal struck in the 1830s which the government did not honour.

In interim High Court findings released this afternoon, Justice Rebecca Edwards largely sided with Rore Stafford, who sued the Crown on behalf of the customary owners of the Nelson Tenths......
See full article HERE

Te Māori Manaaki Taonga Trust Board strengthened
The reappointment of one trustee and the appointment of four new trustees to the Te Māori Manaaki Taonga Trust Board will enable the legacy of Te Māori to be carried forward into the future, Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka and Arts Minister Paul Goldsmith have announced.....
See full article HERE

Foreshore and seabed: Lawyer says future Government will have to apologise for proposed amendments
Leading treaty lawyer and legal counsel for the Muaūpoko Tribal Authority Tom Bennion said he hoped the committee “understood the gravity of the historic error that you’re about to make”.

“Ever since New Zealand was first settled, the NZ Government always recognised Māori (land) title before it then purchased it. And we complain about those purchases.

“And there is only one time when it didn’t do that and that is in the confiscations of the 1860s. This is only the second time in the New Zealand history where the New Zealand Government is going to undermine its basic legitimacy by confiscating millions of hectares of Māori customary interests. It’s only the second time in history we are doing this.

“This will be taught in every law school, in every school, it will be looked on internationally as an appalling breach, it will be taught in every kōhanga, it will be talked about on marae for generations. I am absolutely confident a future Government will pay the necessary money and apologise for this.”....
See full article HERE

Māori ward name reflects the jewel in South Wairarapa’s crown
South Wairarapa District Council is delighted to reveal the name of its first ever Māori ward and extends its deep appreciation to Papawai Marae for the gifting of the name to the district.

The name of the new Māori ward is Te Karu o Te Ika a Māui, which translates to The Eye of the Fish of Māui.

“We are deeply appreciative to Papawai Marae for gifting us this beautiful name,” says the council Pou Māori Advisor, Narida Hooper.....
See full article HERE

Watch: ‘F***ing racist’ – Te Pāti Māori MP’s comments in select committee, Act objects
Ferris had been questioning Dr Muriel Newman, a former Act MP and founder of the New Zealand Centre for Political Research, and the think tank’s associate director, Frank Newman, when he was cut off by the justice select committee’s chairman, James Meager.

“No sorry, we will be winding this up now, we are significantly over time,” Meager said as Ferris attempted to continue questioning the pair.

As Meager attempted to move on to the next submitters, Ferris could be heard saying: “f***ing racist”. The meeting was taking place over Zoom and Ferris’ name came up as the comment was made, indicating he was talking.....
See full article HERE

Propaganda:
Iwi Works With Scientists To Protect Community From Natural Hazards

Iwi partnership protects community from natural hazards  

Thursday October 31, 2024 

News:
Courts have made a mockery of Parliament’s customary marine area intentions, Brash says
Hobson’s Pledge spokesperson Don Brash says the courts have “clearly re-interpreted” the meaning of the word “exclusive” when it comes to iwi claims for customary marine title.

When Parliament passed the Marine and Coastal Area Act in 2011 it had been confidently asserted by then-prime minister John Key and then attorney-general Chris Finlayson that there would be successful claims by iwi for customary marine title around the coastline but they would be rare, Brash said.

They had said that was because it would be necessary to display continuous and exclusive use of that piece of coastline since 1840, Brash said.

“The courts have clearly re-interpreted the meaning of exclusive. They’ve added a concept called shared exclusivity, which makes a total mockery of what Parliament intended.”.....
See full article HERE

More on the above topic here > Changes to customary marine title 'deeply reckless' - law expert

Rāhui placed in Eastbourne, Lower Hutt, after death of pensioner Terrence Jameson
Yesterday evening, the chairman of Waiwhetū Marae and Te Rūnanganui o Te Āti Awa, Kura Moeahu, performed a karakia where Jameson was located in Pt Arthur.

“The rāhui has been laid down which takes effect immediately from Lion’s Rock heading out to Mākaro [Ward Island] then diagonally south towards the point closest to Lake Kōhangapiripiri.”

Te Āti Awa iwi are asking that the collection of seafood be halted and recreational activities do not take place in this area until the rāhui is lifted on Saturday at 7am....
See full article HERE

New $300,000 city sculpture to be revealed
The $300,000 installation - jointly funded by Tauranga City Council and the TECT - is a circular, laser-cut steel sculpture which will soon stand in Red Square with views of Tauranga Moana.

The sculpture - inspired by Māori imagery, experience, a connection to mana whenua and the area’s history - will be revealed at dawn on November 15.

“My mahi is deeply rooted in te ao Māori and it’s been a way for me to heal,” Larkin said.

“I grew up not knowing anything about my Māori heritage, my mahi toi (craft) has been healing but also a learning process.”....
See full article HERE

Carving donated by iwi smashed at Auckland train station
Police are investigating the destruction of a carving gifted by mana whenua and displayed at Pukekohe Train Station.

In a Facebook post, the Franklin Local Board said the vandalism was "upsetting and disrespectful".

"We are saddened at this vandalism at Pukekohe Station and gutted that a beautiful carving by Ngāti Tamaoho kaumatua Ted Ngataki, who has only ever shown us kindness and a willingness to share his wisdom, should suffer in this way.....
See full article HERE

Tūhoe elders seek urgent hearing into iwi election process
A collective of Tūhoe elders are applying to the Māori Land Court for an urgent hearing to overturn trustee elections for the iwi's post-settlement governance entity, Te Uru Taumatua (TUT).

The application was submitted on behalf of Te Kaunihera Kaumātua o Tūhoe by Parearau Nikora, whose late husband Paki Nikora had fought the iwi authority in and out of court for the past five years.....
See full article HERE

Hīkoi mō te Tiriti: South Island to join nationwide hīkoi to Parliament
Tino Rangatiratanga flags are expected to fly along the South Island's East Coast during a 'carkoi' to Parliament.

Thousands of people are expected to be at the steps of Parliament on 19 November in opposition to the Treaty Principles Bill.

While the lead hīkoi departs on 11 November from Cape Reinga following the same route Dame Whina Cooper took, people will gather at Stirling Point in Bluff, "joining forces" with everyone through karakia.

The southern-most travellers will then depart on 17 November to meet the Toitū te Tiriti group in Ōtautahi the next day and journey to Wellington as one big ropū....
See full article HERE

Propaganda:
Māori historian criticizes Government’s disrespectful approach

Treaty Principles Bill – statement of opposition

Māori Land Court turns 159: a history of transformation and controversy

Māori futures chart towards nationhood and economic success - Nanaia Mahuta  

Wednesday October 30, 2024 

News:
Iwi staunchly oppose marine bill
Both major Wairarapa iwi have voiced their strong opposition to the Government’s proposed change to coastal marine legislation.

The Crown’s proposed amendments to the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011 has been met with widespread pushback from a variety of groups and parties including Ngāti Kahungunu and Rangitāne.

The bill “seeks to define the applicable requirements for recognition of customary marine title, namely requirements for, and for proof of, exclusive use and occupation of a specified area”.....
See full article HERE

Māori, Native Americans meet at NZ's first Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Symposium
A sense of unity and togetherness - as indigenous leaders from the United States and New Zealand meet.

New Zealand's first Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Symposium is being held in Parliament today.

It's seen as an opportunity for Māori leadership to listen to Native American leaders - pursuing a similar journey of self-determination.....
See full article HERE

More on the above here > Māori leaders hear from Native Americans on nation building

Te Whenua Group secures $70,000 to launch He Whare Tōnui pilot for Māori home ownership
A programme aimed at empowering people with financial education in readiness for home ownership has received a financial boost from a charitable trust.

Booster Foundation, a charitable trust created and funded by Booster Financial Services, has given $70,000 of funding to the Levin-based Te Whenua Group to help develop its He Whare Tōnui pilot programme.

Māori people are disproportionately affected by housing instability, with a significant portion moving frequently due to rental circumstances – something Te Whenua Group aims to change, addressing these disparities by providing a stable foundation for home ownership.....
See full article HERE

Revealed: “Upgraded Web-Platform” Burns Otago Ratepayers $200k
The Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through the Local Government Official Information and Meeting Act that Otago Regional Council has spent more than $200,000 redeveloping its website, which has virtually been unchanged since 2017. While Council branding remains mostly unaffected, the redevelopment apparently has more features, and enhanced relationships with Mana Whenua.

“Interestingly, the project contained $15,176.90 worth of local Māori engagement, which includes translation services and the integration of ‘Whakataukī’ – or Māori proverbs. Comparatively, the website testing phase cost Otago ratepayers a more modest $553.06".......
See full article HERE

Tania Kura appointed interim Police Commissioner
Deputy commissioner frontline operations Tania Kura (Ngāti Te Kanawa, Ngāti Maniapoto) has been appointed as the interrim Commissioner of Police.

She will oversee New Zealand Police between Andrew Coster stepping down next month, and the future appointment of a full-time replacement.

On the official police website, she’s described as “relentlessly focused on the development of her people and building a strong, positive culture.”....
See full article HERE

Articles:
Sir Bob Jones: Language abuse

John Porter: Equity is a Stalking Horse

The Battle for Democracy - Dr Muriel Newman.

David Lillis: Respectful Relations between Science and Traditional Knowledge

Propaganda:
Majority Of NZ Researchers See Māori Indigenous Knowledge As Relevant To Their Work – But There Is A Gender Divide

Pōkeno or Pookeno? Town’s double ‘o’ still getting up some residents’ noses

Indigenous self governance ‘not scary’ says Native American chief  

Tuesday October 29, 2024 

News:
First-of-its-kind Far North teacher training programme
Far North people wanting to train as teachers no longer have to travel to Whangārei or elsewhere thanks to a first-of-its-kind, iwi-university partnership providing an accelerated degree in Te Hiku.

A groundbreaking partnership between the Te Hiku iwi and the University of Waikato is helping reshape the future of Far North education, while addressing teacher shortages through a fast-tracked teaching degree.

The two-year Te Hiku Bachelor of Teaching Primary degree (led by Ngai Takoto, Te Rarawa and the University of Waikato), is a first-of-its-kind for Te Hiku (and first-known in Aotearoa), and its first cohort is due to graduate in November.

The focus is to deliver a local, culturally responsive teaching degree for teacher aides and Limited Authority to Teach (LAT) holders through marae-based wānanga, iwi pastoral support, online assignments, and classroom-based teaching practicum.....
See full article HERE

Hundreds expected at Government House to protest controversial sewage scheme
A planned protest is happening at Auckland’s Government House at 11am today against the construction of the controversial sewage scheme through Lake Rotokākahi near Rotorua.

Mana i te whenua and supporters are demanding the Governor General take action and protect the sacred lake.

An estimated 300 to 500 people are expected to show up in support of the kaupapa from Rotorua and Tāmaki Makaurau....
See full article HERE

Propaganda:
The first official flag of Aotearoa and what it represents  

Monday October 28, 2024 

News:
Maungārongo Marae: Citizenship ceremony first for Ruapehu District
Maungārongo Marae in Ohakune has hosted the first citizenship ceremony on a marae in the Ruapehu District.

Ngāti Rangi hapū, Ngāti Tui-o-Nuku, made the occasion extra special for the district’s newest citizens, mayor Weston Kirton said Friday.

“We are immensely thankful to Ngāti Tui-o-Nuku for opening the doors of Maungārongo Marae and making this ceremony a truly unique experience.

“Their manaakitanga was at the heart of the day’s success.....
See full article HERE

Treaty of Waitangi addition petitioned at Parliament
Parliament's petitions committee hears many requests, but not many ask to edit part of the constitution. This week MPs heard from Alistair Reese, along with some heavyweight supporters, about a petition that would do exactly that.

It came with something of a history lesson on the negotiations that occurred at Waitangi prior to its signing, particularly regarding an oral undertaking by Governor William Hobson - often called the '4th Article' of the Treaty of Waitangi.

If you are familiar with the Treaty, you'll know the text includes a preamble and three articles. The so-called fourth article was the result of a question put to Governor Hobson (who was negotiating the Treaty of Waitangi on behalf of the Crown) by Bishop Pompallier, a Catholic leader who was concerned that Catholicism might get short shrift in an English colonial New Zealand.

As Reese tells the story, Pompallier "asked whether the natives who joined the Catholic Church would be looked after by the Crown. And that sent Henry Williams, the [Methodist] translator, mediator of the Treaty, and Governor Hobson into a bit of a huddle".

Hobson is reported to have responded "Oh, most certainly". And that if Pompallier had asked him this earlier, his "desire should have been embodied in the Treaty".....
See full article HERE

Articles:
Barrie Davis: Treaty Economy Paradox


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

10 comments:

Robert Arthur said...

I wonder what govt/Council subsidy the Ohakune insurrection coordination centre (marae) has received in recent times. I wonder what fee (including koha) was charged for the ceremony. Was a discount option available for use without the stone age lingo/colonist music waiata? Were the candidates warned of the no shoes custom?

Robert Arthur said...

29 Oct Although retired, I find my days filled with (self imposed) tasks so am never bored. But many in similar position, including those on the dole and so effectively retired, are. For many, opportunity for social interaction is limited. If they were maori/trace maori their problem would be solved. Always some social gathering protest available somewhere to attend. Cheap or free accommodation at the local insurrection coordination centre (marae) available. No disagreeable contrary souls to be encountered, all having been thoroughly brainwashed by the imagine decolonisation mantra. The fact that the hosting tribe may have eaten ancestors overlooked in this uniting motivation. It is incredible that a not discharging sewage conduit can be used as basis for a get together party for participants from far and wide.
Equity means fairness. If the word fair were substituted much reaction could be placated. Very many think equity means equality of outcome, a misconception hugely fostered by maori in particular. It is unfair that many maori easily manage half a dozen children whereas many non maori struggle for one or two. Related, the latter tend to ultimately accumulate more material wealth. The relative situations are not fair (equitable). Taxing the latter family to prop the former to equalise the same final einacial worth does not render the whole situation equitable.

Robert Arthur said...

Sorry. The reference above to equity belongs and appears elsewhere.

Robert Arthur said...

Re 30th. From the reports I cannot figure how the insurrection coordination meeting under the umbrella US Indigenous Tribal Leaders Symposium comes to be held in parliament. It is like Guy Fawkes having a planning meeting in the Houses of Parliament.

Robert Arthur said...

Key and Finlayson need to be blamed for much of the foreshore strife. The "exclusive" requirement smacks of the sort of weasel wording so beloved by maori themselves; an attempt to effectively continue Clark's stipulation whilst appearing to concede. Their attempted artfulness is costing the country very many millions and has done nothing to improve relations. Soon we will likely see the No Acess, No Fishing, No Launching, Pay Here signs go up despite all.
And some sort of rahui limitation legislation is urgently needed. Otherwise these artful try ons will continue to confuse and disrupt in the quest for mana acquiring attention.

Anonymous said...

“Customary marine title”?
Is that for ALL New Zealanders, or the made up APARTHEID one?

Robert Arthur said...

I am forever bemused by the feigned concern by maori in gang circles who claim local children are traumatised by the presence of Police in functional gear. Regular contact with huge swaggering deliberately intimidating gang members should surely have inured children to any perceived threat from dramatic dress. After the insurrection military style training bust around Murapara a few years ago gullible police foolishly apologised. They were very lucky not to have a patrol car gunned down by nutters accepted by and not discouraged or reported by the locals. And their presence and activity probably known to many of the children.
Bodies throughout the land gullibly continue to meekly accept mana seeking try on multi syllable maori names "gifted" by even more obscurely named maori organisations. Seven syllables or "sounds" seems to be a minimum imposition. Many consider English a confusing language (George Bernard Shaw campaigned for simplification) but it is simplicity itself compared with modern contrived applied maori.

Anonymous said...

So, Māori gang affiliate’s masquerading as a “community leaders” push back on police tactics over Mongrel Mob raids?
“No more will we tolerate this”, they say. “We are the mana of this land”, they say.
“There was no “engagement” (code for a heads up) before the raid by the NZ Police” they say. “We will establish our own intelligence and surveillance of them”, they say.
We are a “Tiriti o Waitangi partner” to the Crown they say.
This is why this apartheid agenda has to be reversed asap. Every apartheid Act and statute since 1975, which give explicit recognition to the treaty, removed from legislation once and for all. If not, why not?

Anonymous said...

Te Arawhiti - the Office for Māori Crown Relations set to lose 40% of its staff .
Should have been 100% and this apartheid outfit shut down for good.

robert Arthur said...

Nov 2. For those who only understand quaint efficent established English it will take about 10 minutes on Google to fathom what Te Runanga Nui o Nga kura Kaupapa o Aotearo does as near all responses are in stone age lingo. I presume it is govt funded, including the junket to America. I wonder how many went.

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