Saturday September 27, 2025
News:
Justice Minister warns government will legislate ‘over the top’ of court decisions to create clarity and certainty
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has warned the judiciary that the government will legislate “over the top” of decisions involving concepts such as tikanga and treaty obligations if action is needed to retain legal clarity in New Zealand.
At a breakfast function in Wellington on Wednesday hosted by The Law Association (TLANZ), Goldsmith expressed concern that New Zealand was developing a “bespoke” legal system incorporating concepts of Māori tikanga which cannot be easily translated internationally. This could deter overseas investors.
“Over the last 20 years, Parliament’s passed a pile of laws with all manner of references, sometimes to the treaty, sometimes to the Treaty of Waitangi, sometimes to Te Tiriti, sometimes to have regard to honouring a wide range of things, being very vague about what it means. Parliament also, in its wisdom, has made all sorts of references to tikanga and a whole bunch of things as well,” he said.....
See full article HERE
'Scammed themselves': Kāinga Ora slammed over Dixon St deal after $3m flip
- Taranaki Whānui Limited resold Wellington's Dixon Street Flats for just over $3 million, after buying it from Kāinga Ora for $1.04 million.
- The sale has been criticised by ACT's housing spokesman, who questioned Kāinga Ora's decision to sell below market value.
- The Wellington Company plans to develop 117 apartments at the site, preserving its historic status.
Iwi flipped Wellington's Dixon Street flats for just over $3 million, less than three weeks after buying the block from Kāinga Ora for almost a third of the price....
See full article HERE
$8m district plan binds West Coast together in a first for NZ
After six years' work and a spend of $8 million, the West Coast has a new district plan, setting out how land can be used across the region.
Council and iwi leaders who have been meeting for five days, going through rules recommended by independent commissioners, voted unanimously on Wednesday to approve Te Tai o Poutini Plan (TTPP).
“The major benefits include rezoning so new housing can be built in our towns; new mining zones for long-term continuity of coal mining … and recognising the unique Poutini Ngai Tahu cultural heritage of the Coast,” Williams said.
“There are some really good gains for the West Coast generally ... and I have to say Poutini Ngāi Tahu came out of it really well; we’re threaded right through this plan and it’s something that stands us in good stead for the future – ‘mo nga uri a muri ake nei’- for those who come after us.”....
See full article HERE
University of Auckland vice-chancellor Dawn Freshwater recommends controversial Waipapa Taumata Rau course be made optional
The University of Auckland’s controversial Treaty of Waitangi and te ao Māori courses are unlikely to remain compulsory after negative feedback from staff and students, and criticism from politicians.
The university senate has recommended that Waipapa Taumata Rau (WTR) courses become an optional choice, rather than a core requirement.
The courses were made compulsory for all first-year students this year. The backdown comes after just one completed semester.
In March, Act leader David Seymour called on the university to scrap the compulsory courses, describing them as “a perversion of academic freedom” and “a form of indoctrination”.....
See full article HERE
Concluding 15 years of negotiations with Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu
The Government is concluding 15 years of negotiations with Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu as a Deed of Settlement is signed in Wellington today, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.
“The Deed of Settlement includes financial and commercial redress of $5.5 million, the return of 17 sites of cultural significance, and a range of other redress items. Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu will also receive redress via the Pare Hauraki Collective Redress Deed.
“While no settlement can fully compensate for the Crown’s past injustices, this settlement will support the aspirations and prosperity of Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu for generations to come.....
See full article HERE
Northland activist convicted over Te Papa protest and ordered to pay $1500
A Northland human rights activist now has a minor charge against her name after a widely publicised protest in Te Papa in 2023.
Catherine Murupaenga-Ikenn (Ngāti Kuri, Te Rarawa) was part of protest group Te Waka Hourua, who defaced Te Papa’s large wooden display panel of the English version of the Treaty of Waitangi.
The group said the national museum’s display wrongly made it appear as if the English version was an accurate translation of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.....
See full article HERE
Articles:
CEOs mark Hipkins 2/5 as Willis blames coalition partners for Māori focus
John McLean: Peak Maori radicalism?
Propaganda:
Most Council Hopefuls Back Strong Māori Role In Resource Protection – Survey
The fight for the status of Māori wards heats up
Rotorua Māori carving restored and gifted to British Council in London
“Over the last 20 years, Parliament’s passed a pile of laws with all manner of references, sometimes to the treaty, sometimes to the Treaty of Waitangi, sometimes to Te Tiriti, sometimes to have regard to honouring a wide range of things, being very vague about what it means. Parliament also, in its wisdom, has made all sorts of references to tikanga and a whole bunch of things as well,” he said.....
See full article HERE
'Scammed themselves': Kāinga Ora slammed over Dixon St deal after $3m flip
- Taranaki Whānui Limited resold Wellington's Dixon Street Flats for just over $3 million, after buying it from Kāinga Ora for $1.04 million.
- The sale has been criticised by ACT's housing spokesman, who questioned Kāinga Ora's decision to sell below market value.
- The Wellington Company plans to develop 117 apartments at the site, preserving its historic status.
Iwi flipped Wellington's Dixon Street flats for just over $3 million, less than three weeks after buying the block from Kāinga Ora for almost a third of the price....
See full article HERE
$8m district plan binds West Coast together in a first for NZ
After six years' work and a spend of $8 million, the West Coast has a new district plan, setting out how land can be used across the region.
Council and iwi leaders who have been meeting for five days, going through rules recommended by independent commissioners, voted unanimously on Wednesday to approve Te Tai o Poutini Plan (TTPP).
“The major benefits include rezoning so new housing can be built in our towns; new mining zones for long-term continuity of coal mining … and recognising the unique Poutini Ngai Tahu cultural heritage of the Coast,” Williams said.
“There are some really good gains for the West Coast generally ... and I have to say Poutini Ngāi Tahu came out of it really well; we’re threaded right through this plan and it’s something that stands us in good stead for the future – ‘mo nga uri a muri ake nei’- for those who come after us.”....
See full article HERE
University of Auckland vice-chancellor Dawn Freshwater recommends controversial Waipapa Taumata Rau course be made optional
The University of Auckland’s controversial Treaty of Waitangi and te ao Māori courses are unlikely to remain compulsory after negative feedback from staff and students, and criticism from politicians.
The university senate has recommended that Waipapa Taumata Rau (WTR) courses become an optional choice, rather than a core requirement.
The courses were made compulsory for all first-year students this year. The backdown comes after just one completed semester.
In March, Act leader David Seymour called on the university to scrap the compulsory courses, describing them as “a perversion of academic freedom” and “a form of indoctrination”.....
See full article HERE
Concluding 15 years of negotiations with Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu
The Government is concluding 15 years of negotiations with Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu as a Deed of Settlement is signed in Wellington today, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.
“The Deed of Settlement includes financial and commercial redress of $5.5 million, the return of 17 sites of cultural significance, and a range of other redress items. Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu will also receive redress via the Pare Hauraki Collective Redress Deed.
“While no settlement can fully compensate for the Crown’s past injustices, this settlement will support the aspirations and prosperity of Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu for generations to come.....
See full article HERE
Northland activist convicted over Te Papa protest and ordered to pay $1500
A Northland human rights activist now has a minor charge against her name after a widely publicised protest in Te Papa in 2023.
Catherine Murupaenga-Ikenn (Ngāti Kuri, Te Rarawa) was part of protest group Te Waka Hourua, who defaced Te Papa’s large wooden display panel of the English version of the Treaty of Waitangi.
The group said the national museum’s display wrongly made it appear as if the English version was an accurate translation of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.....
See full article HERE
Articles:
CEOs mark Hipkins 2/5 as Willis blames coalition partners for Māori focus
John McLean: Peak Maori radicalism?
Propaganda:
Most Council Hopefuls Back Strong Māori Role In Resource Protection – Survey
The fight for the status of Māori wards heats up
Rotorua Māori carving restored and gifted to British Council in London
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 26, 2025
News:
Aotearoa is not New Zealand - West Coast iwi leader
A South Island iwi leader has objected to the now common use of the phrase Aotearoa-New Zealand and insisted on its removal from the West Coast’s new District Plan.
Coast councils and iwi on Wednesday approved Te Tai o Poutini Plan, (TTPP) combining the land use rules for the region’s three district councils, Buller, Grey and Westland, and land managed by mana whenua.
But not before Ngāti Māhaki leader Paul Madgwick tackled the planners over the liberal use of Aotearoa-New Zealand sprinkled throughout the weighty document.
“Aotearoa is not the official name of the country,” the Makaawhio Rūnanga chairperson told the TTPP planners......
See full article HERE
Propaganda:
Out of Touch with Rural Realities
Far North Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford condemns use of her image by Hobson’s Pledge
Global water conference puts Māori voices at the centre
But not before Ngāti Māhaki leader Paul Madgwick tackled the planners over the liberal use of Aotearoa-New Zealand sprinkled throughout the weighty document.
“Aotearoa is not the official name of the country,” the Makaawhio Rūnanga chairperson told the TTPP planners......
See full article HERE
Propaganda:
Out of Touch with Rural Realities
Far North Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford condemns use of her image by Hobson’s Pledge
Global water conference puts Māori voices at the centre
Thursday September 25, 2025
News:
National-only Government would have focused less on ‘Māori-related issues’ – Nicola Willis
National as a single-party Government would have focused less on “Māori-related issues”, according to deputy leader Nicola Willis.
During a question-and-answer session following the survey’s release this morning, Willis was asked what National would have done differently in Government if it hadn’t needed Act or New Zealand First as coalition partners.
During a question-and-answer session following the survey’s release this morning, Willis was asked what National would have done differently in Government if it hadn’t needed Act or New Zealand First as coalition partners.
“Look, I think you would have seen less focus on Māori-related issues, that’s a blunt but bold assessment,” she responded.
Willis’ comment about “Māori-related issues” is likely a reference to several items National agreed to in its coalition agreements with Act and NZ First, such as reviewing Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation and Act’s Treaty Principles Bill, which National was eventually forced to openly oppose amid a public backlash.....
See full article HERE
'When the Māori economy succeeds, the economy succeeds': Nicola Willis
A recent report showed the Māori economy asset base has grown from $69 billion in 2018 to $126 billion in 2023 - an increase of 83 percent.
Willis said those figures were a "huge tribute" to iwi who had used their Treaty of Waitangi settlements wisely to grow their capital and showed a boom in Māori entrepreneurship.
"When I look at the Māori economy, I see so many success stories, whether that's in our primary industries, whether that's in tourism, whether that's in our gaming sector, and I have every confidence that that will continue to be New Zealand's story." she said....
See full article HERE
Kiwi slang and te reo Māori words added in latest Oxford English Dictionary update
“Rark up” and to “climb into” are just a few of the New Zealand terms being added in the latest World English update of the OED, joining a range of everyday slang and te reo Māori phrases.
Both expressions refer to verbal aggression, though “rark” is defined as being more of the wind-up kind.
This year’s te reo Māori additions are morning greeting mōrena and hapū, which, in adjective form, means pregnant.....
See full article HERE
Establishing a Māori Immersion Unit at Westlake Boys High School
Over just four years, the programme expanded significantly. From a modest beginning, it grew into a faculty of 11 teachers by 2025, seven of whom are fluent in te reo Māori. Specialist staff were recruited across subjects, including the rare appointment of a fluent Māori-speaking science teacher. The programme is designed to support both fluent speakers and beginners, with careful strategies developed to ensure that each student progresses while still feeling included in the community. Alongside classroom learning, kapa haka became a cornerstone of the programme, fostering cultural growth, leadership, and student confidence.....
See full article HERE
Backflip sees New Plymouth Grey Power urge voters to keep Māori wards
Grey Power’s New Plymouth association is strongly urging voters to keep Māori wards, despite ten years ago sparking a referendum that killed off the district’s first dedicated seat for Māori.
Almost all Māori wards across the country face a being voted down in the current local body elections, as ordered by the Government.
A decade ago Māori wards faced a binding referendum if five percent of voters signed a petition, and local Grey Power president Hugh Johnson organised New Plymouth's drive for signatures.
The ward was voted down before it could become reality.
Grey Power New Plymouth's new president Agnes Lehrke has reversed the organisation’s stance.....
See full article HERE
Waipa District Council supports transfer of Te Reti Scenic Reserve to Parawera Marae
Honouring its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi, Waipā District Council has formally endorsed the transfer of Te Reti Scenic Reserve from Ngāti Koroki Kahukura Trust to Parawera Marae Trust.
The transfer is being made at the request of Ngāti Koroki Kahukura, who wish to gift the reserve to Parawera Marae to reflect the marae’s close connection to the land. Under the proposal, the land will continue to be protected as a reserve under the Reserves Act 1977.....
See full article HERE
Propaganda:
Bay of Plenty Regional Council candidates back strong Māori role in environment - survey
Willie Jackson: Labour and Te Pāti Māori still ‘90% aligned’
Death threat councillor stays in New Plymouth mayoral race
Willis’ comment about “Māori-related issues” is likely a reference to several items National agreed to in its coalition agreements with Act and NZ First, such as reviewing Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation and Act’s Treaty Principles Bill, which National was eventually forced to openly oppose amid a public backlash.....
See full article HERE
'When the Māori economy succeeds, the economy succeeds': Nicola Willis
A recent report showed the Māori economy asset base has grown from $69 billion in 2018 to $126 billion in 2023 - an increase of 83 percent.
Willis said those figures were a "huge tribute" to iwi who had used their Treaty of Waitangi settlements wisely to grow their capital and showed a boom in Māori entrepreneurship.
"When I look at the Māori economy, I see so many success stories, whether that's in our primary industries, whether that's in tourism, whether that's in our gaming sector, and I have every confidence that that will continue to be New Zealand's story." she said....
See full article HERE
Kiwi slang and te reo Māori words added in latest Oxford English Dictionary update
“Rark up” and to “climb into” are just a few of the New Zealand terms being added in the latest World English update of the OED, joining a range of everyday slang and te reo Māori phrases.
Both expressions refer to verbal aggression, though “rark” is defined as being more of the wind-up kind.
This year’s te reo Māori additions are morning greeting mōrena and hapū, which, in adjective form, means pregnant.....
See full article HERE
Establishing a Māori Immersion Unit at Westlake Boys High School
Over just four years, the programme expanded significantly. From a modest beginning, it grew into a faculty of 11 teachers by 2025, seven of whom are fluent in te reo Māori. Specialist staff were recruited across subjects, including the rare appointment of a fluent Māori-speaking science teacher. The programme is designed to support both fluent speakers and beginners, with careful strategies developed to ensure that each student progresses while still feeling included in the community. Alongside classroom learning, kapa haka became a cornerstone of the programme, fostering cultural growth, leadership, and student confidence.....
See full article HERE
Backflip sees New Plymouth Grey Power urge voters to keep Māori wards
Grey Power’s New Plymouth association is strongly urging voters to keep Māori wards, despite ten years ago sparking a referendum that killed off the district’s first dedicated seat for Māori.
Almost all Māori wards across the country face a being voted down in the current local body elections, as ordered by the Government.
A decade ago Māori wards faced a binding referendum if five percent of voters signed a petition, and local Grey Power president Hugh Johnson organised New Plymouth's drive for signatures.
The ward was voted down before it could become reality.
Grey Power New Plymouth's new president Agnes Lehrke has reversed the organisation’s stance.....
See full article HERE
Waipa District Council supports transfer of Te Reti Scenic Reserve to Parawera Marae
Honouring its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi, Waipā District Council has formally endorsed the transfer of Te Reti Scenic Reserve from Ngāti Koroki Kahukura Trust to Parawera Marae Trust.
The transfer is being made at the request of Ngāti Koroki Kahukura, who wish to gift the reserve to Parawera Marae to reflect the marae’s close connection to the land. Under the proposal, the land will continue to be protected as a reserve under the Reserves Act 1977.....
See full article HERE
Propaganda:
Bay of Plenty Regional Council candidates back strong Māori role in environment - survey
Willie Jackson: Labour and Te Pāti Māori still ‘90% aligned’
Death threat councillor stays in New Plymouth mayoral race
Wednesday September 24, 2025
News:
Push for te reo as working language in government
The Māori Language Commissioner says the fight for equal recognition of te reo Māori is far from over, saying the Government has no binding policy to protect the language.
Ngāhiwi Apanui-Barr, Chief Executive of Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori, says the lack of clear direction is a fundamental gap.
Ngāhiwi Apanui-Barr, Chief Executive of Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori, says the lack of clear direction is a fundamental gap.
Under the Māori Language Act 2016, government agencies are encouraged to use te reo Māori. But Apanui says there is currently no legal obligation....
See full article HERE
Articles:
Clive Bibby: Are Maori Wards about to become a dot on the Timeline of History
Propaganda:
Māori economy thrives in regions despite national slowdown
Māori Wards Support Two To One In Favour
Articles:
Clive Bibby: Are Maori Wards about to become a dot on the Timeline of History
Propaganda:
Māori economy thrives in regions despite national slowdown
Māori Wards Support Two To One In Favour
Tuesday September 23, 2025
News:
Southern Cross Nursing Scholarship Programme Launches At Whitireia And WelTec
A new partnership between Whitireia and WelTec and the Southern Cross Health Trust is offering nursing ākonga (students) in the Wellington region unparalleled support during their studies and clinical placements.
Launched on 22 September 2025, the Southern Cross Nursing Scholarship is offering nine scholarships to Whitireia and WelTec ākonga for the 2026 academic year, as well as covering the cost of clinical uniforms and footwear for all first-year Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Nursing Māori, and Bachelor of Nursing Pacific ākonga.
Launched on 22 September 2025, the Southern Cross Nursing Scholarship is offering nine scholarships to Whitireia and WelTec ākonga for the 2026 academic year, as well as covering the cost of clinical uniforms and footwear for all first-year Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Nursing Māori, and Bachelor of Nursing Pacific ākonga.
“Our ākonga bring with them te ao Māori values, knowledge, and ways of caring that are vital for improving Māori health outcomes. These scholarships will help remove barriers so our ākonga can stay focused on their studies and graduate as confident nurses who are ready to serve their communities,” says Grace.....
See full article HERE
Consent, licensing and environmental monitoring support for Māori and iwi
This service is run by our Māori Outcomes Team. - Auckland City Council.
The team provides support to hapū, iwi and Māori entities with regulatory processes including:....
See full article HERE
Maori Outcomes Advisor - Auckland City Council
> Champion Māori aspirations in Auckland’s urban development through Te Tiriti-led planning
> Build trusted relationships with Mana Whenua and support meaningful engagement
> Influence design, placemaking, and policy to reflect Te Ao Māori across Tāmaki Makaurau
He angitūtanga: The opportunity
The Auckland Urban Development Office is committed to shaping a city that reflects the identity, aspirations, and wellbeing of all its people, especially Māori. We now have fixed term contract (8months) for a Māori Outcomes Advisor to help embed Te Ao Māori into urban development projects and ensure our mahi delivers meaningful outcomes for Mana Whenua and Mātāwaka communities.
This is a pivotal role supporting authentic engagement with iwi partners and Māori stakeholders across a range of urban disciplines including property, urban design, community engagement, sustainability, and placemaking. You will help guide project teams to uphold tikanga, reflect Māori values in design and delivery, and contribute to building Māori wealth and visibility in the urban landscape.
This is an opportunity to be part of a transformative work programme that centres Te Tiriti o Waitangi, honours whakapapa, and builds enduring relationships with Mana Whenua in Tāmaki Makaurau.....
See full article HERE
Auckland's Britomart Train Station officially renamed
Auckland's downtown train station has all but completed its name change to Waitematā Station, as Auckland Transport prepares to make the switch to surrounding signage this weekend.
Formerly known as Britomart Station, the name change process began when City Rail Link (CRL) mana whenua gifted the station name in 2017.
In 2023, the station was called “Waitematā Station (Britomart)”, in a period of transition supported by mana whenua......
See full article HERE
Northland iwi joins with T&G Fresh to grow berries for domestic, export markets
A joint venture between a horticulture company and the country's biggest iwi could see Northland become a major producer of berry fruit.
Under the agreement launched on Monday, T&G Fresh will grow strawberries and blueberries in partnership with Ngāpuhi at Ngāwhā, near Kaikohe, for domestic sales and export.
Ngāpuhi Asset Holding Company chairperson Nick Wells said the iwi would provide the land, water and labour, while T&G Fresh would provide expertise, new berry varieties and access to markets.....
See full article HERE
Articles:
Pee Kay: I was beaten for speaking Maori
22 Mendacious Modern Part-Maori Myths
Bob Edlin: What does Potaka really think about Māori Language Commissioner’s criticism
Propaganda:
On the Up: Northland’s Ngāti Hine Health Trust gets culturally adapted Triple P - Positive Parenting Program
Consent, licensing and environmental monitoring support for Māori and iwi
This service is run by our Māori Outcomes Team. - Auckland City Council.
The team provides support to hapū, iwi and Māori entities with regulatory processes including:....
See full article HERE
Maori Outcomes Advisor - Auckland City Council
> Champion Māori aspirations in Auckland’s urban development through Te Tiriti-led planning
> Build trusted relationships with Mana Whenua and support meaningful engagement
> Influence design, placemaking, and policy to reflect Te Ao Māori across Tāmaki Makaurau
He angitūtanga: The opportunity
The Auckland Urban Development Office is committed to shaping a city that reflects the identity, aspirations, and wellbeing of all its people, especially Māori. We now have fixed term contract (8months) for a Māori Outcomes Advisor to help embed Te Ao Māori into urban development projects and ensure our mahi delivers meaningful outcomes for Mana Whenua and Mātāwaka communities.
This is a pivotal role supporting authentic engagement with iwi partners and Māori stakeholders across a range of urban disciplines including property, urban design, community engagement, sustainability, and placemaking. You will help guide project teams to uphold tikanga, reflect Māori values in design and delivery, and contribute to building Māori wealth and visibility in the urban landscape.
This is an opportunity to be part of a transformative work programme that centres Te Tiriti o Waitangi, honours whakapapa, and builds enduring relationships with Mana Whenua in Tāmaki Makaurau.....
See full article HERE
Auckland's Britomart Train Station officially renamed
Auckland's downtown train station has all but completed its name change to Waitematā Station, as Auckland Transport prepares to make the switch to surrounding signage this weekend.
Formerly known as Britomart Station, the name change process began when City Rail Link (CRL) mana whenua gifted the station name in 2017.
In 2023, the station was called “Waitematā Station (Britomart)”, in a period of transition supported by mana whenua......
See full article HERE
Northland iwi joins with T&G Fresh to grow berries for domestic, export markets
A joint venture between a horticulture company and the country's biggest iwi could see Northland become a major producer of berry fruit.
Under the agreement launched on Monday, T&G Fresh will grow strawberries and blueberries in partnership with Ngāpuhi at Ngāwhā, near Kaikohe, for domestic sales and export.
Ngāpuhi Asset Holding Company chairperson Nick Wells said the iwi would provide the land, water and labour, while T&G Fresh would provide expertise, new berry varieties and access to markets.....
See full article HERE
Articles:
Pee Kay: I was beaten for speaking Maori
22 Mendacious Modern Part-Maori Myths
Bob Edlin: What does Potaka really think about Māori Language Commissioner’s criticism
Propaganda:
On the Up: Northland’s Ngāti Hine Health Trust gets culturally adapted Triple P - Positive Parenting Program
Monday September 22, 2025
News:
‘Keep Māori Wards’ signs vandalised
Campaigners for the retention of Māori wards say “racist opponents” should leave their signs alone and put their names on their own messages.
Local Stronger Together campaign spokesman Ben Schmidt said the group’s signs promoting a “keep” vote in the Māori wards referendum had been repeatedly vandalised with racist propaganda.
Local Stronger Together campaign spokesman Ben Schmidt said the group’s signs promoting a “keep” vote in the Māori wards referendum had been repeatedly vandalised with racist propaganda.
Their “Decide Together, Thrive Together: Vote to Keep Māori Wards” signs on residential fences around the city had been covered over with other signs and writing.....
See full article HERE
Articles:
John McLean: Aoteainertia
Propaganda:
Thomas Pa’a Sibbett: The impact of Chief of War
Be more curious than afraid
Bilingual superpowers
Articles:
John McLean: Aoteainertia
Propaganda:
Thomas Pa’a Sibbett: The impact of Chief of War
Be more curious than afraid
Bilingual superpowers
Sunday September 21, 2025
News:
Sky Sports commentators are being trained and asked to speak more te reo on air
Sky TV’s head of Māori Strategy, Kirstin Te Wao-Edmonds, said the broadcaster has a “mission to normalise te reo in mainstream sports broadcasting”.
Rugby commentators have long opened their commentaries with the classic “kia ora” but that was just the start, said Te Wao-Edmonds (Te Arawa, Waikato-Tainui, Samoa) who joined Sky in 2022.
Rugby commentators have long opened their commentaries with the classic “kia ora” but that was just the start, said Te Wao-Edmonds (Te Arawa, Waikato-Tainui, Samoa) who joined Sky in 2022.
“We’re investing in building the capability and confidence of our Sky Sport talent in using te reo in our English language broadcasts,” she told the Herald.....
See full article HERE
ECan reaffirms support for mana whenua
At a meeting on Wednesday, Environment Canterbury (ECan) passed three motions moved by Ngāi Tahu councillor Tutehounuku Korako and approved a new Tuia partnership agreement with Papatipu Rūnanga ki Waitaha.
“This council has made a courageous decision by passing these three motions,” Korako said.
“It shows this council honours its Tuia agreement. This council doesn’t just talk about partnership, it acts on it.”
The motions included continuing to publicly oppose the Government’s proposed legislation to amend the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011, which could impede customary marine title.
The other two motions related to environmental impacts on the Whakaraupō / Lyttelton Harbour.
The new Tuia partnership agreement outlines how ECan will work together with the 10 Papatipu Rūnanga across Canterbury......
See full article HERE
Articles:
Matua Kahurangi: Māori want to talk about genocide
Propaganda:
Air NZ marks milestone with te reo Māori commercial flight
The role of business in preserving te reo Māori
ECan reaffirms support for mana whenua
At a meeting on Wednesday, Environment Canterbury (ECan) passed three motions moved by Ngāi Tahu councillor Tutehounuku Korako and approved a new Tuia partnership agreement with Papatipu Rūnanga ki Waitaha.
“This council has made a courageous decision by passing these three motions,” Korako said.
“It shows this council honours its Tuia agreement. This council doesn’t just talk about partnership, it acts on it.”
The motions included continuing to publicly oppose the Government’s proposed legislation to amend the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011, which could impede customary marine title.
The other two motions related to environmental impacts on the Whakaraupō / Lyttelton Harbour.
The new Tuia partnership agreement outlines how ECan will work together with the 10 Papatipu Rūnanga across Canterbury......
See full article HERE
Articles:
Matua Kahurangi: Māori want to talk about genocide
Propaganda:
Air NZ marks milestone with te reo Māori commercial flight
The role of business in preserving te reo Māori
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.
45 comments:
"Sky Sports commentators are being trained and asked to speak more te reo on air". Bye bye sky sports. I don't do te reo.
Sky’s “head of Māori engagement” Te Wao-Edmonds talks about a groundswell of demand for more te reo rugby commentary — yet not once is she asked to quantify it. Which teams? Which clubs? How many? Is it grassroots or elite? Full Māori coverage or just bilingual greetings? The answers never come — because the questions are never asked.
That’s doubly glaring because the reporter, Joseph Los’e, isn’t a rookie. By his own bio he’s been chief reporter, news director at the Sunday News, editor of the NZ Truth and now NZME’s “Kaupapa Māori Editor.” With that pedigree he knows the basics of interrogating a claim — yet this reads like a Sky press release.
We’re told Sky already runs “side-by-side commentaries” in both languages. Again, no figures. How many people actually choose the te reo feed? How long do they stay? What’s the viewership for Super Rugby, the All Blacks or the Women’s Rugby World Cup in te reo? No numbers, just slogans.
And the article simply repeats her line that critics are a “minority” without producing a shred of evidence. Basic journalism would check survey data, viewership figures or subscriber polls — not print a spokesperson’s assertion as fact.
The vague cultural spin also goes untested. We’re told te reo is a “powerful tool for oratory,” and that specialist commentators are “understanding the culture that accompanies the language.” But what culture exactly? How is it measured? What does it add to the viewer’s understanding of tactics, scrums, line-outs or player positioning? There’s no sign the reporter asked how many technical rugby terms even exist in te reo or how they’re being coined. Instead, the copy reads like one of Takuta Ferris’s cultural-wellness press releases — all warm affirmations, no hard numbers.
And then, as if on cue, the article meanders into Tony Johnson’s fond memories of a First XV coach and name pronunciation — an entirely irrelevant diversion from the real issue. Nobody disputes the value of saying names correctly. But it’s a safe, sentimental cul-de-sac that lets both Sky and the reporter avoid the tougher questions: who’s watching, what’s the uptake, and whether a te reo commentary can actually handle the technical language of a professional sport. In other words, nostalgia instead of numbers.
This is the oldest trick in the PR playbook: wrap a commercial decision in cultural virtue, imply a mandate, then dodge any metrics that could puncture the story. Yet the public deserves to know: how much is Sky spending, how many watch, and who actually benefits? Without that, “normalising te reo” is just a slogan — not a business plan.
Here’s the reality check Los’e never provides: Māori are about 17% of the population. Only around 6% of New Zealanders (roughly 300,000 people) are fluent or conversational in te reo. Not all of them are rugby fans. Even if every fluent speaker tuned in, it’s still a niche within a niche.
When a veteran reporter moves from interrogator to stenographer, readers lose and the PR machine wins. Sky’s te reo push may be many things — but a data-backed audience strategy isn’t one of them.
It could be a turning point in its already limping balance sheet.
Fortunately I do not do Sky Sports so that is one source of mental torture avoided. (I am considerin the same approach to RNZ)
Ecan is cowardly not courageous. Ngai Tahu play the Canterbury Councils like a fiddle. Many voters will be irate at opposition to the govt attempts to retain control of the foreshore. But who in Canterbury will dare declare a position contrary to the real rulers, Ngai Tahu.? Maori down south may not be as rabid as those in the north, but threatened cancellation by persons seemingly not irrational likely to be even more effective.
Would like to know what Andrew Bolt, Rowan Dean and the Sky Australia team would make of this - I hope they go to town on it!
This issue proves ( as do others) :
1. NZ politicians are cowards and the PM will never hold a referendum which will show the real state of support for tribal rule;
2. the whole take -over is based on fiction ( not fact) led my a minority and their fellow travellers;
3. there will be a harsh day of reckoning - at some point.
How easy all this is!
So are citizens ready to pay the price for their ( endless) apathy?
Sounds like a great way get people to stop watching NZ rugby.
Why does sky management think that the nz public wants their sport to be read in te reo, which no one speaks? Even maori don't want to speak it or learn it. I live in south auckland and I have never heard two people in a shop or aound me in the street having a conversation in te reo. This is comnercial suicide.
With the state media and much of the leftist msm busy force feeding te reo, it’s a clear point of difference for Sky that they don’t - i.e. a competitive advantage. Seems a dumb move to throw that advantage away.
>"I live in south auckland and I have never heard two people in a shop or aound me in the street having a conversation in te reo."
This pointed observation underlines the artificiality of the lingo as a genuine minority tongue. There are parts of Melbourne and Sydney where one can hear half a dozen or more Asian and Middle Eastern/North African languages being spoken as one saunters down a busy street. These are what I would term 'genuine minority languages' and explain why people who use them as a matter of course are provided with translations of official regulations etc and can access translation services by telephone (as is the case here ion NZ to some extent). Not that they are demanding 'official language' status. Te Reo, on the other hand, is spoken by a tiny minority who also speak fluent English, and demands official language status. Hm, something doesn't quite gel here...........
I agree with you, but I’d point out that most people who claim to speak conversational Te Reo have take a few classes and can cobble a few words together. That’s quite a bit different between those who can speak, read & write it fluently. The numbers I’ve seen put fluent Te Reo speakers less than 2% of New Zealanders.
Philip Crump wants to restore editorial integrity to the nz herald.
He set out “Six Golden Rules” for trustworthy journalism and now heads the NZ Herald editorial board.
Yet even as these rules were promoted (we don’t know if the board has even adopted Crump’s Commandments), their practical enforcement is open to question.
Consider veteran reporter Joseph Los’e’s Sky te reo story: a glowing, uncritical account of Sky’s cultural initiative, full of vague claims, PR framing, and zero audience metrics.
Crump’s first rule, curate stories with appropriate prominence, is ignored. The Sky piece elevates a corporate cultural mission without checking whether it matters to the broader public or measuring its impact.
Write for discerning readers? Not here — assertions about “demand from clubs and teams” and critics being a “minority” are accepted unchallenged.
Present facts objectively? Disregarded: Tony Johnson’s personal recollections on name pronunciation dominate, while technical constraints and uptake data are absent.
Provide new insights? Minimal: readers learn little about how te reo commentary functions for live rugby or whether the audience actually engages.
Communicate with clarity? The story succeeds only in transmitting Sky’s messaging. Uphold professional integrity? Virtually abandoned: no counterpoints, critical analysis, or verification appear.
Los’e’s piece would fail every one of Crump’s six golden rules, yet it went to print.
This is the object lesson: principles alone are powerless without enforcement.
A newsroom can publish copy while ignoring the very standards its editorial board head propounds.
The real test for Crump’s board is not his articulating ideals on Substack, but intervening when experienced journalists produce stories that are substantively hollow. If the board cannot challenge unexamined corporate messaging, Crump’s Six Golden Rules risk being symbolic — admired in theory, irrelevant in practice.
Stories like Los’e’s are the acid test. How the Herald’s editorial board responds will determine whether Crump’s principles shape real journalism or remain aspirational rhetoric.
Ideology, feelings and empathy for racial righteousness comes before the colonialist weaponisation of integrity . That wonky approach underpins all .
Te shambles.
by te idiots
Sadly the more able right wing citizens and balanced thinkers have much to lose from illegal and/or controversial acts. Threat to their person a serious consideration.So the very appropraites countering of the "vote for maori wards" placards devolves to an extreme and limited ability right wing monority. Crude and amateurish counter postings do not assist their cause. I sometimes wonder if the seemingly simpleton cancellation is a clever sympathy seeking act by those who placed the original signs. How can anyone with English as their first language and the ability to arrange printing get to spell "their" wrong?
Keep Māori Wards [Apartheid] signage gatekeepers Shivarn Stewart and Ben Schmidt, having a wee white wokey whine because their Fabian (communist) slogans of” Local Stronger Together” and “Decide Together Thrive Together are not being appreciated or taken seriously by the majority, therefore we all must be racist.
Who else sees the irony in these signs being written only in English ?
Loving hearing more Te Reo on Sky Sports, the more the better! Haere tonu!
Not aimed at maori. Near all of them are captured at heart by the maori separaitist message, however extreme. It is the gullible non maori they hope to win over. Hopefully the mature thougtful, will be repulsed by Ferris' attitude. Unfortunately now a rare group.
The te reo debacle is the same as the Maori victim hood story. Maori radicals don't want Maori conditions to improve or too many te Reo speakers as then funding would dry up. How many billions of dollars has been funneled into certain organisations to "improve the reo language use" in the fifty years since the reo became an official language? And still less than 6% can speak it fluently? Work out the cost/benefit ratio on that!! Another never ending gravy train for a few elite organisations. It is such an obvious rort. And Mr Potaka is putting in another $billion into it.When will the general population wake up? Probably when the country is bankrupt and China is knocking on our door promising to help us all out. Just like the Cook Islands
Racist people vandalizing keep unelected Māori wards signs, really!!
Wasn't there a Coalition agreement to make English an official language of NZ ?
What's happening about that ?
In the meantime, so many government departments are thumbing their noses at the rest of us by refusing to remove the te reo signage, clean up their websites, and stop nga mihi this and that.
It's bloody rude and offensive to thd vast majority of the population who are being told to swap their language for a recently fabricated Maori one.
SKY is having financial problems with viewer numbers declining as it is. How much is it costing them to run these reo separate broadcasts that surely hardly anyone watches?
I amastonished that Auckalnd Council so preferentially and blatantly assists maori on a racial basis and has a section and staff specifically for that. As a mere pakeha I would have welcomed targeted assistance in my dealings with council. Instead get vague evasive staff who after 10 minutes disconnect totally.
Should Southern Cross be paying to support nursing students? Whose job is it to ensure NZ is training enough nurses? Yes it is in Southern Cross’ interests to have a reliable supply of well trained nurses, but private health insurance already saves the public health system money and those who pay for private insurance do so at considerable cost in addition to paying their taxes. Feels a bit like the same ticket is being clipped multiple times. Or am I being mean? Many find they have they cannot afford health insurance in later years - i.e. right when they need it most they have to give it up.
Push/Bullying for te reo as working language in government, even though under the Māori Language Act 2016, government agencies are only encouraged/bullied to use te reo Māori. There is nil legal obligation. The 2023 coalition deal between National and New Zealand First required English-first naming and communications across the public service. Not good enough. To stop the bullying, void the Māori Language Act 2016. Not hard eh.
Can anyone name a country anywhere in the world where focing a language on the public has worked? In some african countries the tribes there speak in a series of clicks. They never expect anyone else apart from their tribe to learn it. Te reo is also a basic tribal language that modern people do not want to know.
Following on from Anon 935, that is why most of those developing countries opted for the ex-coloniser's language as the medium of instruction in schools - it was a politically neutral choice compared to imposing a tribal language on other tribes.
Over the years, some have reverted to indigenous tongues for primary schooling. Primary schools tend to cater for children of a particular tribe and they acquire literacy faster than if they are learning a second language at the same time.
This doesn't work in cities, though - I remember visiting a school in Goroka (PNG Highlands) where the teacher and I counted 20 mother tongues in her Grade 5 class of some 45 kids.
It is a world wide and mandated requirement that pilots of international airlines use english language when communicating with controllers or other aircraft.
This means that a Maori prospective airline pilot would probably be forced to learn english to be employed.
Should be requirement for ANZ cabin staff as well.
“Look, I think you would have seen less focus on Māori-related issues, that’s a blunt but bold assessment,” she responded.
Good to know for the next election.
National-only Government would have [not] focused on [apartheid] ‘Māori-related issues’ [you mean] meanwhile, "We know that they are able to access interest-free support to go to tertiary education, heavily subsidised by the taxpayer. They are able to access industry training, a range of different employment programmes, and the government funds those… ect ect ect.
If all these keyboard warriors were out in the streets ( like the hikoi), the Coalition might get a fright!
i live in the Far North and frequently overhear conversations in Te Reo and have done so for more than 40 years. As ever Barend your NZ geographical and cultural knowledge is lacking.
Nicola Willis has just increased the Act and NZ First vote enormously. When the public encounter huge difficulties and expenses accessing beaches she will need to rethink. And when legal cases are lost because of unwritten tikanga. Does she mean that alone National would not have gifted $150 million to renovation of Insurrection Coordintion Centres (marae) or one BILLION for furtherance of obsolete diversionary stone age hobby language?
The maori economy has huge advantages; only practicable candidate for many govt contracts with vague and unmeasurable performance requirements. Many govt, council, and company stated policies specifically favour maori firms. Maori success has little to do with the economy generally, but more related to govt largess.
Orowhana, I was commenting on the statement ""I live in south auckland and I have never heard two people in a shop or aound me in the street having a conversation in te reo" made by Anon 1101. Perhaps Anon 1101's "NZ geographical and cultural knowledge is lacking"?
Why does Wilis think that the economy etc are more important than democracy ???
Shame on her, shame on Luxon.
Don't they read the room ??
Why do they think that placating vocal Maori is more important than placating the other 83% of the population ?
Think on Willis - the swing to ACT and NZ First is going to be massive because you have deliberately failed with your mandate from the election to restore democracy.
Neither of my votes, nor anyone I know, are going to be for either National or Labour
Polls suggest a change in govt regardless of any Nat votes going to Act or NZF. Indeed some Nat votes going to Labour. Hip pocket issues and one-sided media spin coverage and many folk do not believe non- msm views about Maori co -governance etc , the journalism fund etc.If it was true msm would report it. If Nat went more like Act etc msm would be screaming racist etc...and Nat light folk would drift to Labour.
Right - will be the most strategic election ever for NZ.
If 83pc of people are opposed to placating Maori radicals then how come 50pc want a pro co governance govt if poll is to be believed ie LGTPM
Denying the term Aotearoa a brilliant move on part of the West Coast iwi leader. Wth the vote on maori wards pending should win over many hundred non maori votes.
Aotearoa is not New Zealand; it is the North Island West Coast iwi leader Madgwick said. Iwi Ngāi Tahu want all of the South Island, which we call Te Wai Pounamu. We are not interested in Aotearoa.
When maori wards are affirmed the members will, amongst other mana seeking exercises, doubtless fritter hours of Council time clamouring for the term Aotearoa.
Kāinga Ora slammed over Dixon St deal after $3m flip??
Market value $4m/RV $18.9m. Kainga Ora (taxpayer) sold to an Iwi outfit for $1.03m, where said Iwi outfit determined the purchase price they would pay under the treaty settlement “first right of refusal” scam. Kainga Ora (taxpayer) agreed to low ball offer. Iwi outfit resold 20 days later for $3.04m. Iwi outfit profit $2m/taxpayer loss ($2m)
Housing Minister Chris Bishop did not respond to specific questions from One Roof about whether the Government had undersold the property. Is this Kainga Ora policy Bishop and how many other low ball offers have been accepted under the Iwi first right of refusal scam?
Regarding "Justice Minister warns government will legislate ‘over the top’ of court decisions to create clarity and certainty" - we are way past the time of issuing warnings, let's have some bloomin' action Mr Goldsmith!
RE Goldsmith: Nat needs to stop talking about overriding the radical judiciary - and actually do this. Especially re. the MACA Law amendment.
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