Prison mum bill opposed

Prominent Maori health advocate Naida Glavish says politicians should reject a bill that would allow babies to remain with their mothers in prison until they are two.

Green MP Sue Bradford's Corrections (Mothers of Babies) Amendment Bill has been drawn from the ballot for consideration by parliament.

Ms Glavish says it is wrong to burden a child with the stigma of having been born and raised in a prison.

She says Maori always ask each other where they were born and raised, wich would mean children raised in prison would carry that stigma.

HOROMIA CALLS FOR PEOPLE TO SPEAK ON ABUSE

Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia says child abuse could be lessened dramatically if people had the courage to speak out about what they see happEning around them.

Mr Horomia says he is seeking cross party support for initiatives to tackle child abuse, in the wake of the deaths of Mangere twins Cru and Chris Kahui.

He says it's not something that peopole should be scoring poltivial points off, and it's also not a problem that is insoluble.

Mr Parekura says relatives or neighbours usually know when child abuse is going on.

Parekura Horomia says child abuse is a problem for all cultures, not just Maori.

MATARIKI ON MOUNTAIN

Up to a thousand people are expected on Mangere Mountain in Auckland tomorrow morning for a Matariki vigil against family violence.

Counties Manukau police iwi liason worker, Maryanne Rapata says a multi denominational dawn service will aknowledge the Maori new year, and pray the year to come is with less marred by violence.

Ms Rapata says police and iwi were looking for a way to show people how serious family violence has become and the devastating effect it has on whanau.

Maori party co-leader Pita Sharples will be among the many people expected for a Matariki dawn vigil against domestic violence in Mangere mountain tomorrow.

He says the event, organised by the Counties Manukau Police, will highlight the devastation domestic violence is having on Maori whanau and their communities and challenge the culture of silence around abuse.

Dr Sharples says the dawn service will also remember women who died as the result of domestic violence.

Pita Sharples says Matariki of the Maori new year is a time of new beginnings, so it should also be a time to change the culture of violence.

HAURAKI WANT AUCKLAND INCLUDED IN SETTLEMENT

Hauraki Maori say Auckland central lands should be included in their settlement, not used to settle Ngatu Whatua's claims.


Hauraki Maori Trust Board claims manager John McInteer says the Waitangi Tribunal report delivered last weekend only cover's 60 percent of the tribe's traditional rohe.

He says while Hauraki was able to successfully put its case before the tribunal's Tauranga inquiry for land at the top of the Bay of Plenty, the government's intention to negotiate a settlement with Ngati Whatua o Orakei means it won't have a similar opportunity to argue its Auckland claims.

Mr McInteer says Hauraki has grave doubts over the proposed Ngati Whatua settlement if it includes Hauraki mana whenua.

HOTERE HONOURED FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

Artist Ralph Hotere has been awarded a unique Te Taumata award by Creative new Zealand's Maori arts board, Te Waka Toi.

Chairperson Elizabeth Ellis says the award, which was given to the Hotere at his home in Port Chalmers on the weekend, marks his international and national achievements.

Mrs Ellis says Te Waka Toi has been trying to get the Mitimiti-born artist to accept an honour for more than a decade.

Elizabeth Ellis says Ralph Hotere has provided an inspiration to generations of New Zealand artists.