Maungawhau, Maungakeikei, get used to it

Auckland mayor Dick Hubbard says changing the name of the city's maunga isn't such a big deal, because Aucklanders are making the change already.

As part of the settlement of Ngati Whatua's historical claims, One Tree Hill, Mt Eden and Mt Roskill will be vested in the Auckland iwi and jointly managed with the council.

They will be given dual names - Maungakiekie-One Tree Hill and Maungawhau-Mt Eden - but Mr Hubbard says that won't last.

"Joint names are recognisd as only transitional, and the reality is that when they've had joint names in the past, after about five or ten years the old name gets dropped off and the new name gets used, and by and large the people of Auckland have been making that transition anyway," Hubbard said.

Dick Hubbard believes as many as two thirds of Aucklanders are already calling One Tree Hill Maungakiekie - but it might take a bit longer before Mt Roskellites start calling their maunga Puketapapa.

LIVE BABIES PRAISED

A Ngati Porou kuia says teenage pregnancies can be seen as a blessing.

OECD research has identified a high rate of teenage pregnancy in New Zealand, driven by the number of Maori teens who elect to have babies.

Vapi Kupenga says Maori have traditionally promoted childbirth regardless of how the pregnancy came about.

Ms Kupenga says she takes heart from the research, because it means Maori babies aren't getting aborted.

BUMPER CROP OF MAORI DOCS

The general manager of Maori health at the Counties Manukau District Health Board says there are encouraging signs, with more Maori entering the medical profession.

Bernard Te Paa says 18 Maori doctors graduated from medical school this year, an all time high.

He says even though most realise the hard work ahead, they are commited to working to improve the overall state of Maori health.

IN: You're getting a young crop of Maori doctors coming through, really dedicated to getting their degres and working in hospital or primary healthcare which is really great, what our people like to see," Te Paa said.

Bernard Te Paa says Maori people have made it clear they like working with Maori doctors and nurses.

TAINUI MAKES STAND FOR AUCKLAND MAUNGA

Tainui chairman Tuku Morgan says his tribe won't stand by and see their ancestral sites handed over to Ngati Whatua.

Mr Morgan says the proposed settlement of Ngati Whatua's historical claims on the Auckland isthmus includes areas where various iwi from the Tainui waka have interests.

One of the most important is Maungakiekie or One Tree Hill, which was the fortified home of the Tainui ariki who became the first Maori king, Potatau te Wherowhero.

Mr Morgan says Tainui has already made its position clear to Ngati Whatua, and it will make sure the Crown acknowledges its interests.

"This is about defending our cultural integrity here, it's the version of our history we hold pure, that we absolutely believe is the true and accurate turn of events in the eyes of our people, according to the records we have amassed. This is a major issue for us because it is about trying to defend our version of history," Morgan said.

Treaty Negotiations Minister Mark Burdon says any overlapping iwi interests must be addressed before a final settlement is reached.

POLICE GO FOR STANDARD APPROACH FOR FAMILY VIOLENCE CALLS


The manager of Maori, Pacific and ethnic services for the New Zealand Police says a new national family violence standarad should enable agencies to better co-ordinate their activitities.

Piere Munroe says the new standard will help to identify those most at risk, and improve support for those who have suffered from violence.

He believes it is the first programme of its type in the world.

"What it aims is to get some consistency of aproach, to ultimately benefit the family, the children, the victims and to hold the offenders to account. It will get some consistency of approach and collaboration across the agencies, who are at the forefront of calls," Munroe said.

Piere Munroe says the standard was designed by the police working with experts from Corrections, Womens Refuge, the Children and Young Persons Service, Barnardos and the Justice Department.

GREEN WANTS MAORI FREE TO MAKE OWN STRUCTURES

The green party spokesperson on maori affairs says while there may be a lot of support for legislation to better represent maori trusts and incorporations, if it doesn't suit the government model, it won't happen.

Last week the law commission tabled a report in parliament recommending the government create a legal framework to meet the needs of maori groups managing communally owned assets.

Meteria Turei says the discussion is timely, and she's pleased the waka umaga would be set up and run by maori.

But she says even if there is strong maori support for the proposal , that support may not be forthcoming from the government.