Wananga hurt by funding games

The head of Whakatane-based Maori tertiary institution Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi says government funding policies are hurting polytechnics and wananga.

Dr Hirini Mead says the wananga will have to cut staff because of a drop in student numbers since 2004.

Te Awamutu-based Te Wananga o Aotearoa is also shedding staff and courses, as the result of falling enrolments and government moves to limit the growth of the wananga sector.

Dr Mead says the government is making survival difficult.

POLL FIGURES SWEET FOR MAORI PARTY

New Zealand First's Maori spokesperson Pita Paraone says the Maori Party can be satisfied with its 3 per cent showing in the latest Colmar Brunton poll.

While New Zealand First polled at 4 percent, Paraone said there was a fundamental difference.

He said because the Maori Party is after electorate seats, it does not have to worry about the 5 percent threshhold for list-only parties to enter Parliament - so it can be well pleased it is holding its support.

GOVERNMENT POWHIRI TOO LONG A WAIT FOR CUP OF TEA

Ngati Porou kuia Keri Kaa says powhiri or traditional Maori welcomes in government departments have got too complicated.

Ms Kaa says there is a lot of confusion about powhiri, because Pakeha are trying to impose a feminist view on Maori by saying it’s not right women should take the back seat at government powhiri.

She says Maori need to ask another question ...... whether they should be conducting such ceremonies in a government environment.

She says people are losing sight of all the fat they need to do is welcome someone in, have a short mihimihi in reply, and get to the cup of tea.

Keri Kaa says it is up to Maori to have the argument about how powhiri or any other tikanga or cultural practice should be
conducted, not for Pakeha politicians or feminists.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION NECESSARY STRATEGY

Maori academic Dr Ranginui Walker says the government needs to embrace proper affirmative action programmes for Maori or face a potential time bomb.

Maori-specific programmes have been off the agenda since the political backlash against the Closing the Gaps policy in the first term of Helen Clark’s government, and the emphasis is now on needs- based delivery of services.

But Dr Walker says affirmative action it is an essential tool to reverse historical grievances and current Maori disadvantage.

He says despite opposition from some parts of the public to Maori receiving a helping hand, the fact is the colonial experience in New Zealand was that governments took land from Maori owners and transferred it to Pakeha owners.

The consequence of that was Maori impoverishment, a situation which cannot be allowed to continue.

PAREKURA TOUGHTS IT OUT

The Minister of Maori affairs is unconcerned at calls for him to resign, saying critism is part of political life.

Parekura Horomia has been under fire since he admitted to the Maori Affairs last week that he had not asked for more money in the Budget for his department.

Mr Horomia says it's been a tough week, but nothing he can't handle.

Parekura Horomia says there is too much to be done for him to consider stepping down.

CASHMORE BACK AFTER BACK QUITS

As one stalwart of Maori rugby is lost overseas, another returns home to retire.

Waikato, Chiefs and Maori prop Deacon Manu is ready to join Llanelli (PRON: Clanethli) - the only Welsh team to have beaten the All Blacks in the past half century.

Meanwhile, former Auckland, Blues and All Blacks fullback Adrian Cashmore has cut short his two year contract with another Welsh team, the Ospreys, and because of back problems.

Cashmore says he his giving up the game altogether and returning to New Zealand, rather than risk permanent injury.

Maori coach Donny Stevenson says that is disappointing for Cashmore and the Maori squad, but he is looking forward to seeing the Ngati Awa star on his return.