Waatea News Update

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Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Rongowhakaata ready for $2.1m fish share

Gisborne-based Rongowhakaata iwi has completed the mandating requirements which allows it to collect the first part of its fisheries settlement assets.

Te Ohu Kaimoana fisheries settlement trust chief executive Peter Douglas says the Rongowhakaata Charitable Trust will receive the population-based component of the settlement, $2.1 million in deepwater quota, cash and shares in pan-Maori fishing company Aotearoa Fisheries Limited.

Mr Douglas says the next step is to negotiate with neighbouring iwi on how to divide up the inshore quota, which allocated according to the length of a tribe's coastline.

IN: The good news for them is the tribes on either side, Ngati Porou and Te Aitanga a Mahaaki, have also passed the mandating process, so they are able to agree between them how they are going to share the inshore fisheries, which will allow them to get the remainder. The same applies to Aitanga a Mahaaki, which can do a deal with Rongowhakaata and Ngai Tamanuhiri," Douglas said.

Mr Douglas says Rongowhakaata is the 22nd iwi to establish a mandate.

OPTIMISM ON NON-SMOKING FUTURE

It may take generations for Maori to kick the smoking habit, but it will happen.

That's the view of Irene Walker from Maori heart foundation Te Hotu Manawa Maori.

Ms Walker says she is heartened by the Maori response to World Smokefree Day today, and the numbers who have turned out to Maori smokefree events around the country.

She says the key is making young people not only realise the dangers of smoking but take on leadership roles in the fight against tobacco.

MAORI HOPPING TASMAN TO BECOME WALLABIES

Maori rugby commentator Te Kauhoe Wano says new Wallaby Tai McIsaac is part of an increasing number of Maori chosen to represent Australian sports teams.

McIsaac gave up water polo to take up rugby at the age of 24 and has quickly showed his star class, playing hooker for the Western Force in this year's Super 14 and now being named in the 33 man Wallaby squad.

Mr Wano says a lot of Maori now live across the Tasman, so it's not a surprise to see them being picked at national level.


SMOKEFREE CAMPAIGN HAVING IMPACT

Smokefree Coalition head Shane Bradbrook says anti-smoking programmes aimed at Maori are starting to show positive effects.

Today is World Smokefree Day, and there have been events around the country pushing the Auahi Kore message.

The Smokefree Coalition is targeting tobacco companies, and it is also supporting Maori Party MP Hone Harawira's call for a total ban on tobacco sales

The most recent figures showed 47 per cent of Maori over the age of 15 smoke, but Mr Bradbrook says there is a downward trend.

"2003 to 2004 there was a 5% drop and there are some stats coming out shortly which will hopefuly show a continued decline, but we are below 50 % for the first time in years, so that's all good," Bradbrook said.


Shane Bradbrook says whanau support is important for quitting tobacco.

STUDENTS CLAIM GOVERNMENT FUDGING GRANT AXING REASONS

Maori Students Association President Veronica Tawhai says the Government's claim that only 9000 Maori students applied for Manaaki Tauira grants is incorrect.

The grants, which were available through the Maori Education Trust, were axed in the Budget, with the funding transferred to a scheme which aims to improve the way Maori students are taught in mainstream schools.

Ms Tawhai says the figure of 9000 relates to the number of students who met the stringent eligibility criteria required to receive the scholarship, not the total number who applied.


MAUI STRIDES THE BOARDS IN TE WAKA A MAUI

The legendary character Maui returns to the stage tonight.

Maui - One Man Against the Gods is an innovative dance theatre production being given a two-week run at Christchurch's Isaac Theatre Royal.

Artistic director Tanemahuta Gray says the show explores Maui's life and his eventual downfall.

He says he wanted to tell the story because Maui was an epic tupuna, on par with the Greek myths.

IN: For me he's dominant as Hercules is, especially around Polynesia, but the rest of the world would have no idea of who he is, except for those with a little awareness of Hawaii and the island of Maui, and I thought his stories are so worthy of being told and what he achievfed," Gray said.

Tanemahuta Gray says he hopes to take the show overseas.

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