Saturday August 8, 2026
News:
MMP Referendum Must Include Vote On Māori Seats - Hobson’s Pledge.
Hobson’s Pledge spokesperson and former National Party leader Don Brash says Prime Minister Christopher Luxon must honour long-held National Party policy by including a vote on the future of the Māori seats in any upcoming referendum on the voting system.
"National has long held the position that separate race-based parliamentary seats have no place in a modern, equal democracy," says Brash. "If the Government is giving New Zealanders a say on our electoral system – from MPP to the length of the parliamentary term - voters must also be given the opportunity to decide whether to retain or abolish the Māori seats."
Under Mixed Member Proportional (MMP), equal representation is already built into the system, with all citizens having an equal voice regardless of background.....
See full article HERE
Te Maruata Calls For Government To Reverse Decision On Partnership Agreements With Māori
Local government’s Māori elected members are deeply concerned by the Government's decision to remove Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements from the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill.
Te Maruata, the national network of Māori elected members within Local Government New Zealand, wants the Government to reverse its decision before the Bills' second reading.
Te Maruata co-chairsAubrey RiaandDinnie Moeahu say ManaWhakahonoā Rohe are practical relationship agreements that set out how councils and iwi will work together through planning and resource management processes.....
See full article HERE
NZEI Welcomes Waitangi Tribunal Direction To Defer Curriculum Release
NZEI Te Riu Roa welcomes a Waitangi Tribunal direction issued this morning, urging the Government to defer releasing all updated New Zealand Curriculum and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa content until concerns raised by educators are ruled on.
The Tribunal has requested an update from the Government on its ability to postpone the release.
“We support the Tribunal’s direction to pause the release,” NZEI Te Riu Roa President Ripeka Lessels said. “The Minister has delayed implementation of the new curriculum next year after listening to the profession, so she now has the time to listen again to the profession and to iwi Māori and make sure we get the new curriculum right for all our students.”....
See full article HERE
New Maniapoto Co-Lead to Guide Future Vision for Pureora Forest Park
A new Department of Conservation (DOC) initiative is placing iwi aspirations and whakapapa at the centre of long-term planning for Pureora Forest Park. Tama Blackburn, who identifies with Ngāti Maniapoto, Kinohaku, and Uekaha, has stepped into the role of Project Co-Lead for Pureora within DOC’s Maniapoto team. Reporting on the appointment, Waatea News describes Blackburn’s approach as that of a “weaver,” intended to unite the various voices and relationships connected to the ancient podocarp forest.....
See full article HERE
Auckland Council defends $1.38m investment in Māori artworks at Te Waihorotiu Station
Two large-scale Māori sculptures have been unveiled outside what is expected to become New Zealand's busiest railway station, at a $1.38 million cost to Auckland ratepayers.
Auckland Council leaders have defended the million-dollar investment in two Māori artworks outside the future Te Waihorotiu City Rail Link (CRL) station, saying public art is an essential part of building a vibrant, connected city.
The bronze sculptures, Wāhine and Horotiu, were blessed by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei at a dawn ceremony before being unveiled on Victoria Street West on Wednesday.
Council contributed $744,000 towards Wāhine and $632,000 towards Horotiu.
About 65.5 percent of the cost of Wāhine and 72.2 percent of Horotiu was funded through the city centre targeted rate, paid by businesses and property owners in central Auckland.
The remaining funding came from Auckland Council's public art budget and general rates......
See full article HERE
Propaganda:
The case against scrapping Mana Whakahono ā Rohe - Mariameno Kapa-Kingi
‘Rongoā isn’t just massage’: Rongoā Māori prison rollout halted as practitioners defend traditional healing
Is English a 'predator language?'
Māori councillors make rescue call for Mana Whakahono deals
Under Mixed Member Proportional (MMP), equal representation is already built into the system, with all citizens having an equal voice regardless of background.....
See full article HERE
Te Maruata Calls For Government To Reverse Decision On Partnership Agreements With Māori
Local government’s Māori elected members are deeply concerned by the Government's decision to remove Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements from the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill.
Te Maruata, the national network of Māori elected members within Local Government New Zealand, wants the Government to reverse its decision before the Bills' second reading.
Te Maruata co-chairsAubrey RiaandDinnie Moeahu say ManaWhakahonoā Rohe are practical relationship agreements that set out how councils and iwi will work together through planning and resource management processes.....
See full article HERE
NZEI Welcomes Waitangi Tribunal Direction To Defer Curriculum Release
NZEI Te Riu Roa welcomes a Waitangi Tribunal direction issued this morning, urging the Government to defer releasing all updated New Zealand Curriculum and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa content until concerns raised by educators are ruled on.
The Tribunal has requested an update from the Government on its ability to postpone the release.
“We support the Tribunal’s direction to pause the release,” NZEI Te Riu Roa President Ripeka Lessels said. “The Minister has delayed implementation of the new curriculum next year after listening to the profession, so she now has the time to listen again to the profession and to iwi Māori and make sure we get the new curriculum right for all our students.”....
See full article HERE
New Maniapoto Co-Lead to Guide Future Vision for Pureora Forest Park
A new Department of Conservation (DOC) initiative is placing iwi aspirations and whakapapa at the centre of long-term planning for Pureora Forest Park. Tama Blackburn, who identifies with Ngāti Maniapoto, Kinohaku, and Uekaha, has stepped into the role of Project Co-Lead for Pureora within DOC’s Maniapoto team. Reporting on the appointment, Waatea News describes Blackburn’s approach as that of a “weaver,” intended to unite the various voices and relationships connected to the ancient podocarp forest.....
See full article HERE
Auckland Council defends $1.38m investment in Māori artworks at Te Waihorotiu Station
Two large-scale Māori sculptures have been unveiled outside what is expected to become New Zealand's busiest railway station, at a $1.38 million cost to Auckland ratepayers.
Auckland Council leaders have defended the million-dollar investment in two Māori artworks outside the future Te Waihorotiu City Rail Link (CRL) station, saying public art is an essential part of building a vibrant, connected city.
The bronze sculptures, Wāhine and Horotiu, were blessed by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei at a dawn ceremony before being unveiled on Victoria Street West on Wednesday.
Council contributed $744,000 towards Wāhine and $632,000 towards Horotiu.
About 65.5 percent of the cost of Wāhine and 72.2 percent of Horotiu was funded through the city centre targeted rate, paid by businesses and property owners in central Auckland.
The remaining funding came from Auckland Council's public art budget and general rates......
See full article HERE
Propaganda:
The case against scrapping Mana Whakahono ā Rohe - Mariameno Kapa-Kingi
‘Rongoā isn’t just massage’: Rongoā Māori prison rollout halted as practitioners defend traditional healing
Is English a 'predator language?'
Māori councillors make rescue call for Mana Whakahono deals
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 August 7, 2026
News:
Te Pati Maori will make the Waitangi Tribunal recommendations binding
Te Pāti Māori says the latest developments expose a deeper flaw in Aotearoa's constitutional arrangements.
"The Waitangi Tribunal can investigate, hear evidence and make findings. But governments can simply ignore them."
News:
Te Pati Maori will make the Waitangi Tribunal recommendations binding
Te Pāti Māori says the latest developments expose a deeper flaw in Aotearoa's constitutional arrangements.
"The Waitangi Tribunal can investigate, hear evidence and make findings. But governments can simply ignore them."
"That is why Te Pāti Māori will make Waitangi Tribunal recommendations binding, establish a Parliamentary Commissioner for Te Tiriti, and require every Bill before Parliament to include a Te Tiriti Impact Statement."
See full article HERE
Watercare Ngā Tapuwae Scholarship for Māori Students
A $7,000 Scholarship to support a Māori student enrolled full-time in Part II or Part III of a BE(Hons) in Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Structural Engineering.....
See full article HERE
East Auckland’s new $11.5m sports facility almost ready to open
The Highbrook Regional Watersports Centre is located at Highbrook Esplanade Reserve in Lady Fisher Place and provides access to the Tamaki River. Aspec Construction is the project’s building partner.
Parts of the outside of the building are adorned with large artworks provided by local iwi Ngai Tai ki Tamaki.....
See full article HERE
Kaipara projects win close to $100,000 for community resilience works
“We’re also delighted to be funding several iwi/Māori initiatives, including efforts to build Māori capability in emergency management.”......
See full article HERE
News:
Corrections Minister halts $9m ‘massage programme’ for prisoners
The Corrections Minister has halted a $9 million plan to provide rongoā Māori healthcare in prisons, including giving prisoners traditional massages, after questions were asked about the programme.
Corrections launched a procurement process for the services in all New Zealand prisons in July.
Watercare Ngā Tapuwae Scholarship for Māori Students
A $7,000 Scholarship to support a Māori student enrolled full-time in Part II or Part III of a BE(Hons) in Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Structural Engineering.....
See full article HERE
East Auckland’s new $11.5m sports facility almost ready to open
The Highbrook Regional Watersports Centre is located at Highbrook Esplanade Reserve in Lady Fisher Place and provides access to the Tamaki River. Aspec Construction is the project’s building partner.
Parts of the outside of the building are adorned with large artworks provided by local iwi Ngai Tai ki Tamaki.....
See full article HERE
Kaipara projects win close to $100,000 for community resilience works
“We’re also delighted to be funding several iwi/Māori initiatives, including efforts to build Māori capability in emergency management.”......
See full article HERE
Articles:
JD: Will We Be Pākehā Freeloaders?
Propaganda:
Kurahaupō Iwi Unite to Reject Historical Claims Over Mana Whenua
The Tribunal Is Being Ignored: Seymour Questions Future Role of Waitangi Tribunal
Open Polytechnic Launches Level 2 Te Reo Māori Qualification
English 'didn't have to compete' for official status - Māori Language Commissioner
Māori-Led AI: New Partnership Aims to Put Tikanga at the Heart of Artificial Intelligence
JD: Will We Be Pākehā Freeloaders?
Propaganda:
Kurahaupō Iwi Unite to Reject Historical Claims Over Mana Whenua
The Tribunal Is Being Ignored: Seymour Questions Future Role of Waitangi Tribunal
Open Polytechnic Launches Level 2 Te Reo Māori Qualification
English 'didn't have to compete' for official status - Māori Language Commissioner
Māori-Led AI: New Partnership Aims to Put Tikanga at the Heart of Artificial Intelligence
Thursday August 6, 2026
News:
Corrections Minister halts $9m ‘massage programme’ for prisoners
The Corrections Minister has halted a $9 million plan to provide rongoā Māori healthcare in prisons, including giving prisoners traditional massages, after questions were asked about the programme.
Corrections launched a procurement process for the services in all New Zealand prisons in July.
Rongoā is traditional Māori medicine, including herbal remedies, physical therapies and spiritual healing.
The listing from Corrections details its plans, including rolling out karakia, Mahi Wairua and mirimiri (a traditional Māori massage therapy) services.
But Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell said the “massage programme” has been put on pause, saying it doesn’t meet his expectations.....
See full article HERE
Iwi water ruling could spark political storm as the election looms
There are concerns a landmark consequential High Court judgment on freshwater due this year could inflame the November election.
The lawsuit - Tau v the Attorney-General - was argued in the High Court in Christchurch over eight weeks ending in early April 2025.
Justice Melanie Harland has not yet issued her judgment, but it is due this year....(paywalled)
See full article HERE
Taranaki councils look to work with Māori after merger
Two Taranaki councils wanting to merge have set out early details of how they’d work with mana whenua after the Government’s local body reforms.
South Taranaki and Stratford district councils unanimously approved a proposal to cabinet to join as one unitary authority, under Wellington’s Head Start process, this week.
Taranaki iwi representatives have objected to limited mana whenua input into the rapid reform, especially after a Government reversal decreed Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements would not carry over to the new council system.....
See full article HERE
Unemployment hits 11-year high as Māori, rangatahi and Northland bear the brunt
Māori and rangatahi are among those hardest hit after New Zealand’s unemployment rate climbed to its highest level in more than a decade, with Northland recording the country’s highest regional jobless rate.
Statistics New Zealand’s latest Household Labour Force Survey shows national unemployment rose to 5.6 per cent in the June quarter, up from a revised 5.4 per cent in March.
Around 171,000 New Zealanders are now unemployed - about 8,000 more than the previous quarter and the highest unemployment rate since 2015.
For Māori, unemployment sits at 10.8 per cent, almost double the national rate, while Pacific unemployment stands at 11.6 per cent....
See full article HERE
New research seeks data on how kapa haka affects the heart
A new research initiative is seeking to gather data on the physical and cardiovascular health impacts of kapa haka.
Launched by Pūtahi Manawa, the $300,000 Te Korowai Pūtahi Manawa Kapa Haka and Cardiovascular Health Research Grant will support a Māori-led research project investigating how participation in kapa haka affects heart health and general wellbeing.
According to Pūtahi Manawa, the grant comes as health researchers seek to address cardiovascular health disparities facing Māori, who statistics show continue to experience higher rates of heart disease and earlier onset of cardiovascular events compared to non-Māori....
See full article HERE
Toi Rāwhiti Iwi Partnership Selected To Pioneer A New Future For Community-Led Commissioning
Over the coming months, Toi Rawhiti will work alongside the Social Investment Agency, the wider public service, iwi, communities and strategic partners to co-design the future Community-led Commissioning model.
The pilot will now enter a co-design phase with the Social Investment Agency, working in partnership with government to develop new approaches to commissioning that can improve outcomes for communities while informing future investment across Aotearoa.
The work ahead will be guided by the enduring leadership of Whakatōhea, Ngāi Tai and Te Whānau ā Apanui, together with partners across local government, community organisations, business and the Crown.....
See full article HERE
Articles:
Mike Butler: The treaty principles crossroads again
Good On Mt Albert Grammar Principal
Propaganda:
Mātauranga Māori and western science align for predator-free in Whakatāne
Hipkins Promises to “Rebuild Relationships” as Labour Charts Different Course on Treaty and Language Debate
The listing from Corrections details its plans, including rolling out karakia, Mahi Wairua and mirimiri (a traditional Māori massage therapy) services.
But Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell said the “massage programme” has been put on pause, saying it doesn’t meet his expectations.....
See full article HERE
Iwi water ruling could spark political storm as the election looms
There are concerns a landmark consequential High Court judgment on freshwater due this year could inflame the November election.
The lawsuit - Tau v the Attorney-General - was argued in the High Court in Christchurch over eight weeks ending in early April 2025.
Justice Melanie Harland has not yet issued her judgment, but it is due this year....(paywalled)
See full article HERE
Taranaki councils look to work with Māori after merger
Two Taranaki councils wanting to merge have set out early details of how they’d work with mana whenua after the Government’s local body reforms.
South Taranaki and Stratford district councils unanimously approved a proposal to cabinet to join as one unitary authority, under Wellington’s Head Start process, this week.
Taranaki iwi representatives have objected to limited mana whenua input into the rapid reform, especially after a Government reversal decreed Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements would not carry over to the new council system.....
See full article HERE
Unemployment hits 11-year high as Māori, rangatahi and Northland bear the brunt
Māori and rangatahi are among those hardest hit after New Zealand’s unemployment rate climbed to its highest level in more than a decade, with Northland recording the country’s highest regional jobless rate.
Statistics New Zealand’s latest Household Labour Force Survey shows national unemployment rose to 5.6 per cent in the June quarter, up from a revised 5.4 per cent in March.
Around 171,000 New Zealanders are now unemployed - about 8,000 more than the previous quarter and the highest unemployment rate since 2015.
For Māori, unemployment sits at 10.8 per cent, almost double the national rate, while Pacific unemployment stands at 11.6 per cent....
See full article HERE
New research seeks data on how kapa haka affects the heart
A new research initiative is seeking to gather data on the physical and cardiovascular health impacts of kapa haka.
Launched by Pūtahi Manawa, the $300,000 Te Korowai Pūtahi Manawa Kapa Haka and Cardiovascular Health Research Grant will support a Māori-led research project investigating how participation in kapa haka affects heart health and general wellbeing.
According to Pūtahi Manawa, the grant comes as health researchers seek to address cardiovascular health disparities facing Māori, who statistics show continue to experience higher rates of heart disease and earlier onset of cardiovascular events compared to non-Māori....
See full article HERE
Toi Rāwhiti Iwi Partnership Selected To Pioneer A New Future For Community-Led Commissioning
Over the coming months, Toi Rawhiti will work alongside the Social Investment Agency, the wider public service, iwi, communities and strategic partners to co-design the future Community-led Commissioning model.
The pilot will now enter a co-design phase with the Social Investment Agency, working in partnership with government to develop new approaches to commissioning that can improve outcomes for communities while informing future investment across Aotearoa.
The work ahead will be guided by the enduring leadership of Whakatōhea, Ngāi Tai and Te Whānau ā Apanui, together with partners across local government, community organisations, business and the Crown.....
See full article HERE
Articles:
Mike Butler: The treaty principles crossroads again
Good On Mt Albert Grammar Principal
Propaganda:
Mātauranga Māori and western science align for predator-free in Whakatāne
Hipkins Promises to “Rebuild Relationships” as Labour Charts Different Course on Treaty and Language Debate
Wednesday August 5, 2026
News:
MBIE, Treasury diversity plans face scrutiny from Act MP, praise from union
Act MP Todd Stephenson is criticising diversity, equity and inclusion plans recently published by two Government agencies, questioning whether they align with the coalition’s priorities and suggesting some may see them as “woke”.
Treasury and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) have released diversity action plans in recent days, both calling for te reo Māori to be used more frequently in the workplace.
Stephenson, Act’s public service spokesman, told Newstalk ZB he had received complaints from public servants about “excessive cultural rituals” in the workplace.....
See full article HERE
Two days that changed how ākonga (students) see their awa - Northland Regional Council
Over two days at locations across Whangārei, ākonga explored mātauranga Māori in te taiao. The programme was guided by hapū knowledge holders and supported by community partners, including Pukenui Trust Rangers, Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust and NRC staff.
The focus of the programme was simple and powerful — a return to the stories, histories and landscapes of the Waiarohia, honouring both mātauranga Māori and environmental science through activities designed to support ākonga as confident kaitiaki.
Participating schools included Whangārei Girls’ High School, Whangārei Boys’ High School, Whangārei Primary School, Whangārei Intermediate and Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Rawhiti Roa, who joined on day two.....
See full article HERE
Mount Albert Grammar accused of ‘discrimination’ after Māori student told to scrub off tā moko design
One of New Zealand’s largest schools has been accused of discrimination after a Māori student was required to cover his tā moko – and earlier told to scrub a drawn-on version of the design from his arm.
News:
MBIE, Treasury diversity plans face scrutiny from Act MP, praise from union
Act MP Todd Stephenson is criticising diversity, equity and inclusion plans recently published by two Government agencies, questioning whether they align with the coalition’s priorities and suggesting some may see them as “woke”.
Treasury and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) have released diversity action plans in recent days, both calling for te reo Māori to be used more frequently in the workplace.
MBIE’s action plan states designing and planning initiatives to support “everyday use of te reo Māori” is a planned action for 2026/27. The agency’s plan also noted there would be targeted workshops for staff on its inclusion and belonging strategy.
Stephenson, Act’s public service spokesman, told Newstalk ZB he had received complaints from public servants about “excessive cultural rituals” in the workplace.....
See full article HERE
Two days that changed how ākonga (students) see their awa - Northland Regional Council
Over two days at locations across Whangārei, ākonga explored mātauranga Māori in te taiao. The programme was guided by hapū knowledge holders and supported by community partners, including Pukenui Trust Rangers, Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust and NRC staff.
The focus of the programme was simple and powerful — a return to the stories, histories and landscapes of the Waiarohia, honouring both mātauranga Māori and environmental science through activities designed to support ākonga as confident kaitiaki.
Participating schools included Whangārei Girls’ High School, Whangārei Boys’ High School, Whangārei Primary School, Whangārei Intermediate and Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Rawhiti Roa, who joined on day two.....
See full article HERE
Mount Albert Grammar accused of ‘discrimination’ after Māori student told to scrub off tā moko design
One of New Zealand’s largest schools has been accused of discrimination after a Māori student was required to cover his tā moko – and earlier told to scrub a drawn-on version of the design from his arm.
The mother of a Year 12 student at Mount Albert Grammar School in Auckland says her son was told to “go to the bathroom and scrub it off” when he first had his tā moko design drawn on his arm, despite the school being informed beforehand.
“It was really upsetting for him,” she said....
See full article HERE
Enrolment system failures alleged to threaten to disrupt Māori Electoral Option days before deadline
RealMe and passport verification outages hit voters in the final days of the roll option period, Te Pāti Māori says
The party says it became aware of two separate issues after a member of the public reported being unable to complete an enrolment through the Enrol to Vote platform.
Following further enquiries by Te Pāti Māori, a second issue was identified when RealMe verification services also appeared to be unavailable.
According to the party, the Electoral Commission later confirmed there had been disruptions affecting passport verification and RealMe identity services. RealMe is the Government’s online identity verification service, which can be used to verify a person’s identity when completing enrolment transactions online.....
See full article HERE
Shane Jones accuses Waitangi Tribunal of scaremongering after condemning NZ First bill
New Zealand First Deputy Leader Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of “scaremongering” after it released a scathing report on the coalition’s plans to review Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation.
Jones said the tribunal’s review was “an attempt to undermine the status of New Zealand First” in the lead-up to the election.
The review – part of New Zealand First’s coalition agreement with National – proposes reviewing references to the Treaty of Waitangi in 19 pieces of legislation.....
See full article HERE
Government rejects Tribunal call to halt Treaty Clause Review after finding Crown in major breach
The Government says it will press ahead with its Treaty Clause Review despite a scathing Waitangi Tribunal report finding the Crown has already breached Treaty principles through the way it developed the proposed reforms.
The tribunal’s report, Te Tinihanga o Ngā Mātāpono, released on Friday, concludes Cabinet made its February 2026 decisions without consulting Māori, largely disregarded officials’ advice and prioritised coalition commitments over informed policymaking.
It says the Crown has already breached the principles of partnership, active protection and good government, and warns further breaches would occur if the reforms are enacted......
See full article HERE
Solar panels to boost energy resilience at 12 Tairāwhiti marae
An expanded solar project in Tairāwhiti is powering up 12 more marae to improve their energy resilience.
The Trust Tairāwhiti initiative has already provided solar panels to 22 marae, with the latest installations delivered in partnership with Te Puni Kōkiri, the Ministry of Māori Development.
The initial installations received $857,000 in funding support through a special Lotto grants draw following Cyclone Gabrielle.....
See full article HERE
Propaganda:
New Trustees to Strengthen Kotahitanga mō te Taiao’s Vision for Landscape-Scale Restoration
Lady Tureiti Moxon: Waitangi Tribunal Report Vindicates Māori Concerns Over Treaty Reforms
Luxon has no spine” Marama Davidson: Māori Democracy, Te Tiriti and Political Leadership Under the Spotlight
Language Expert Warns English Language Law Creates New Questions for Te Reo Māori Protections
“It was really upsetting for him,” she said....
See full article HERE
Enrolment system failures alleged to threaten to disrupt Māori Electoral Option days before deadline
RealMe and passport verification outages hit voters in the final days of the roll option period, Te Pāti Māori says
The party says it became aware of two separate issues after a member of the public reported being unable to complete an enrolment through the Enrol to Vote platform.
Following further enquiries by Te Pāti Māori, a second issue was identified when RealMe verification services also appeared to be unavailable.
According to the party, the Electoral Commission later confirmed there had been disruptions affecting passport verification and RealMe identity services. RealMe is the Government’s online identity verification service, which can be used to verify a person’s identity when completing enrolment transactions online.....
See full article HERE
Shane Jones accuses Waitangi Tribunal of scaremongering after condemning NZ First bill
New Zealand First Deputy Leader Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of “scaremongering” after it released a scathing report on the coalition’s plans to review Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation.
Jones said the tribunal’s review was “an attempt to undermine the status of New Zealand First” in the lead-up to the election.
The review – part of New Zealand First’s coalition agreement with National – proposes reviewing references to the Treaty of Waitangi in 19 pieces of legislation.....
See full article HERE
Government rejects Tribunal call to halt Treaty Clause Review after finding Crown in major breach
The Government says it will press ahead with its Treaty Clause Review despite a scathing Waitangi Tribunal report finding the Crown has already breached Treaty principles through the way it developed the proposed reforms.
The tribunal’s report, Te Tinihanga o Ngā Mātāpono, released on Friday, concludes Cabinet made its February 2026 decisions without consulting Māori, largely disregarded officials’ advice and prioritised coalition commitments over informed policymaking.
It says the Crown has already breached the principles of partnership, active protection and good government, and warns further breaches would occur if the reforms are enacted......
See full article HERE
Solar panels to boost energy resilience at 12 Tairāwhiti marae
An expanded solar project in Tairāwhiti is powering up 12 more marae to improve their energy resilience.
The Trust Tairāwhiti initiative has already provided solar panels to 22 marae, with the latest installations delivered in partnership with Te Puni Kōkiri, the Ministry of Māori Development.
The initial installations received $857,000 in funding support through a special Lotto grants draw following Cyclone Gabrielle.....
See full article HERE
Propaganda:
New Trustees to Strengthen Kotahitanga mō te Taiao’s Vision for Landscape-Scale Restoration
Lady Tureiti Moxon: Waitangi Tribunal Report Vindicates Māori Concerns Over Treaty Reforms
Luxon has no spine” Marama Davidson: Māori Democracy, Te Tiriti and Political Leadership Under the Spotlight
Language Expert Warns English Language Law Creates New Questions for Te Reo Māori Protections
Tuesday August 4, 2026
News:
Hauraki Gulf shellfish harvesting ban extended until 2028
A ban on harvesting certain shellfish in parts of the Hauraki Gulf has been extended for another two years.
The fisheries closures ban mussels, pāua, and packhorse rock lobster from being taken within one nautical mile of Waiheke Island.
Hauraki Gulf shellfish harvesting ban extended until 2028
A ban on harvesting certain shellfish in parts of the Hauraki Gulf has been extended for another two years.
The fisheries closures ban mussels, pāua, and packhorse rock lobster from being taken within one nautical mile of Waiheke Island.
Cockles cannot be picked at Umupuia Beach in East Auckland, and in Coromandel, Te Mātā and Waipatukahu are closed to the taking of cockles, mussels, oysters, and pipi.
Oceans and fisheries minister Shane Jones said the move follows a request by Ngāi Tai Ki Tamaki, Ngāti Tamaterā Treaty Settlement Trust, and Ngāti Pāoa Iwi Trust, to help replenish local shellfish populations.
The applicants are members of the Pou Rāhui Research Project, incorporating mātauranga Māori and scientific tools to restore identified marine taonga species within the areas......
See full article HERE
Articles:
Reform Update - Dr Muriel Newman.
Northland Doesn’t Need a Super‑Council — It Needs Local Democracy That Works - Craig Jepson.
Propaganda:
Anne Salmond: A tale of two leaders
‘Go back to your own country’ is the laziest argument of all
Māori athletes deliver golden moments at Glasgow 2026
Oceans and fisheries minister Shane Jones said the move follows a request by Ngāi Tai Ki Tamaki, Ngāti Tamaterā Treaty Settlement Trust, and Ngāti Pāoa Iwi Trust, to help replenish local shellfish populations.
The applicants are members of the Pou Rāhui Research Project, incorporating mātauranga Māori and scientific tools to restore identified marine taonga species within the areas......
See full article HERE
Articles:
Reform Update - Dr Muriel Newman.
Northland Doesn’t Need a Super‑Council — It Needs Local Democracy That Works - Craig Jepson.
Propaganda:
Anne Salmond: A tale of two leaders
‘Go back to your own country’ is the laziest argument of all
Māori athletes deliver golden moments at Glasgow 2026
Monday August 3, 2026
News:
Five regional parks gain Māori names
Five of Auckland's best-known regional parks have been formally given Māori names and narratives, marking the first regional parks to be recognised through a long-running programme to restore and share traditional place names across Tāmaki Makaurau.
News:
Five regional parks gain Māori names
Five of Auckland's best-known regional parks have been formally given Māori names and narratives, marking the first regional parks to be recognised through a long-running programme to restore and share traditional place names across Tāmaki Makaurau.
The changes, adopted this week by Auckland Council's Community Committee, see Māori names sit alongside existing English names at four parks, while Ōmana Regional Park regains its full ancestral name as Ō Manawatere.
The parks affected are Long Bay, Shakespear, Wenderholm and Ambury regional parks, along with Ōmana in east Auckland......(paywalled)
See full article HERE
Te Pāti Māori Announces Māori Education Authority To Restore Māori Success In Education
Te Pāti Māori today unveiled its commitment to establish a Māori Education Authority, with Te Tai Tonga candidate Lisa Marie Murch announcing the policy during her debut election debate on Marae.
The policy commits to restoring Māori authority over Māori education by strengthening Māori governance across the education system, investing in kōhanga reo, kura kaupapa Māori, wharekura and wānanga, embedding mātauranga Māori throughout the curriculum, and ensuring every tamaiti has the opportunity to succeed as who they are.....
See full article HERE
Judge rules Crown must protect buried remains of ancient waka in Chatham Islands
A judge has ruled the government cannot sidestep its statutory responsibilities for a centuries-old voyaging canoe buried in Rēkohu sand dunes, rejecting the Crown's argument that its obligations extend only to the excavated parts of the find.
In a recent decision by Māori Land Court Judge Michael Doogan, an archaeologist warned only 10 percent of the waka may have been recovered and that further remains could be destroyed if a major storm strikes the site.....
See full article HERE
Articles:
Andi Cocroft: Molesworth Belongs to New Zealand
Propaganda:
Te Arikinui Calls for Collective Action to Protect the Taiao
Tribunal names Crown’s trickery and deceit
Why we call Winston Peters ‘Lao Pi’
We must name racism when it happens
The parks affected are Long Bay, Shakespear, Wenderholm and Ambury regional parks, along with Ōmana in east Auckland......(paywalled)
See full article HERE
Te Pāti Māori Announces Māori Education Authority To Restore Māori Success In Education
Te Pāti Māori today unveiled its commitment to establish a Māori Education Authority, with Te Tai Tonga candidate Lisa Marie Murch announcing the policy during her debut election debate on Marae.
The policy commits to restoring Māori authority over Māori education by strengthening Māori governance across the education system, investing in kōhanga reo, kura kaupapa Māori, wharekura and wānanga, embedding mātauranga Māori throughout the curriculum, and ensuring every tamaiti has the opportunity to succeed as who they are.....
See full article HERE
Judge rules Crown must protect buried remains of ancient waka in Chatham Islands
A judge has ruled the government cannot sidestep its statutory responsibilities for a centuries-old voyaging canoe buried in Rēkohu sand dunes, rejecting the Crown's argument that its obligations extend only to the excavated parts of the find.
In a recent decision by Māori Land Court Judge Michael Doogan, an archaeologist warned only 10 percent of the waka may have been recovered and that further remains could be destroyed if a major storm strikes the site.....
See full article HERE
Articles:
Andi Cocroft: Molesworth Belongs to New Zealand
Propaganda:
Te Arikinui Calls for Collective Action to Protect the Taiao
Tribunal names Crown’s trickery and deceit
Why we call Winston Peters ‘Lao Pi’
We must name racism when it happens
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.
21 comments:
As we have two principal languages in this country we should insist that all geographic features which up to now have just a maori name be given an English one as well, the English first as it is spoken by the majority. It is also apparent too that features that have hitherto been nameless are given maori names without any mandate or approval, or any suggestion of an English title. This imbalance has for too long been in force and needs to be reversed. Those, possibly unelected types, who make these decisions are either terminally woke or cowed into submission by virtue-signalling bullies. Someone needs to have the courage to make the change but I suppose we won't find change generated by our emasculated councils or MPs?
Omana Park increased to a mere 6 syllables. A golden mana gaining colonist tweaking opportunity foregone.. Seven is the usual min imum imposition (gift.)
Re: Allen Heath above, I wouldn't call Maori a "principal language" as it only became one through diktat.
More interesting to know would be in what proportion of households various languages are spoken as a matter of routine. I suspect Hindi and perhaps Mandarin would come second to English as the overwhelming majority of people who speak (or claim to speak) Maori go about their daily business, including within-family communications, in English.
'Principal' Barend in respect of one, English, being spoken by the majority and maori forced upon us on a regular and continuous basis, despite minority usage. When was the last time you saw Hindi or Mandarin or Tagalog or any other minority language in your local newspaper or heard them spoken over TV or radio? Figures for their usage within the home would be hard to come by so your view cannot fully support your argument and my comment still stands.
For people other than Aucklanders, every sign erected by Auckland Transport has the te reo version above the English in a typeface that is a 1/3 larger and thicker bold version of the paltry English below.
If that doesn't offend you get aboard one of their flash trains and hear the overwhelming diatribe in Maori which absolutely nobody understands, or wants to hear at a deafening level.
It's intolerable, but the woke AT insists that we all should be indoctrinated.
Every Aucklander should be able to recite , in te reo, " push the green button to open the door".
Made up bullshit.
Another example of Goebbel's Third Reich type policies in action and tolerated by Luxon and National.
Allen, I think you mean 'official', not 'principal'.
Aug 4. Do the shellfish bans apply to maori? Dores anyone intercede if they disregard?
No Barend, I mean principal, as in used most often, in exclusion to other languages. I don't recognise 'official' as it smacks of officialdom/coercion, and English is actually not yet recognised as 'official' as far as I am aware. Making a language 'official' seems to me to exclude all others as unimportant, which maybe why Greek (of which I speak a smattering) is not used in any government documents where many other languages are given credence. Have you seen Dutch used in such?
Hello Allen. Google AI asserts that a principal language "is typically the predominant tongue spoken by the majority of people or used for daily work and official tasks." I think we need to separate the last two. Figures are not available but I will bet a pound to a peanut that the zealots who promote the use of Maori for 'official' purposes speak English with their family and when conducting their everyday affairs.
Sack everyone at MBIE, and then make them re-apply for their jobs.
I mean everyone , from the very top to every woke individual.
I will vet the applications, and probably refuse to re-employ about half of them.
Anyone with a woke word in the application will be automatically rejected.
Face it, most are a liability - $40M wasted on a software , system that doesn't work (and that is probably the tip of a Titanic iceberg of such projects ), $9M on massages for prisoners, and how much is spent everyday on karakia and such.
The committee that has dreamt up their new karakia should be exiled to the Campbell Islands for eternity.
Isn't past time for some heads to roll in MBIE? Hot on the heels of the $39million biometric upgrade failure, we now have to endure this maorification nonsense. Is there no limit to their incompetence and woke stupidity? Oh, but silly me - they're just spending other's money on this virtue signal to embrace and promote Manglish. I'm sure the adoption of such will enhance whakamarama and maramatanga by the general public and the whakakotahi of the kapa in their mahi.
Anon 10.58 -I didn't understand a word in the last paragraph, and I expect that MBIE staff are working on a back translation, after a karakia, and possibly for the rest of the week in their ivory towers looking out onto Wellington Harbour.
At least if they are just mumbling in te reo, they can't be wasting too.much public money, can they ???
Exactly anon@2.25 - it's Manglish that is a nonsense that we are all paying a very great deal in time and money for - all in virtue signalling support of a language that had no written form. Those that want to nurture it, by all means - but in your own time and on your own dime. But then this is MBIE, where they wasted well over 300 full-time-equivalents pa on workplace Waiata.
I guess if hard nosed ACC can fall for the rongoa con, then it was seen as fine for Corrections. It is astonishing that Ministers seem not to get wind of these larks/rackets Do modern record trails and the OIA discourage communication? Do Ministers move in reduced circles compared previous years so receive less informal feedback? On matters cultural where do staff learn the standard glib mumbo jumbo response style? Do they pick it up from Maori study courses and the accompanying brain wash ?
Can BV dig deeper into the rongoa massage con and find out:
* who got paid
* any similar rackets they (or Corrections) are running
Maori massaging in prisons to be halted.
Well of course !!
Prisons are not massage parlours .
Given a week or two, nothing else to do, and a few medical books, I reckon I could preempt the report on kapuhaka without meeting a single blubbery participant. It is more the effect on the brain that concerns me. Kapu haka fosters violence and a unites the obsession to dominate mere pakeha and their culture..
Massages may be gone however it will quickly be replaced with some other scam with the sole objective of benefiting Māori. Having unelected IWI around the Council table is an example how this starts. The Mayor of Auckland is seemingly oblivious to this. He is anti them getting the boot! Who approved the. South Island tribe getting the management rights of Molesworth Station. NZs biggest station. Did Tama Potaka ( National Maori Development Minister) have a role in this? Did Luxon sign this off?
Legitimising massages for prisoners opens the door for drugs in prisons. Prisons are intended to punish wrongdoing. Not to pamper the inmates. More woke bulls..t
I despair every time I read this section of BV - extraordinary demands by Maori and woke capitulation.
Today, Waitangi Tribunal to make constitutional decisions, Maori only scholarships from public funds - what tomorrow ?
Internationally, we must be seen for what we are - the most racist First World country as we quickly become just another uncivilized dictatorship.
Re the scholarships, should there chance to be several applicants what will be the deciding facror? Established rechnical ability, darkness of skin, or connections within the maori ruling clique?
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