Two dozen Maori make honours list
While many of us may have thanked Queen Elizabeth for a day off today. members of the Manahi whanau of Te Arawa have had a special reason to think of Her Majesty.
The whanau has petitioned the queen to reverse a decision of an English general in World War II who vetoed the award of a Victoria Cross to Sergeant Haane Manahi for his bravery at Takrouna Ridge in North Africa in 1943.
Trade Minister Phil Goff, who accompanied a Te Arawa delegation to Buckingham Palace last month for a meeting with the Queen's private secretary, says it's now in the hands of the Queen.
"We've tried to frame our submission in such a way as to say this is an outstanding case, this is an exceptional case, but in the end all three - the government, the VC committee and Te Arawa - are prepared to accept the Queen's decision on this matter," Goff said.
Haane Manahi, who died in a car accident in 1986, only received a Distinguished Combat Medal for his feats.
EDDIE LOW THANKS FANS FOR GONG
Maori entertainer Eddie Low says he has his fans to thank for becoming a member of the New Zealand order of Merit in the Queen's Birthday honours list.
The Sydney based musician says it is their support that has allowed him to record 25 albums during his 43-year career, and he's looking forward to the next.
Low has been working professionally since he headed across the Tasman with an old friend, John Rowles, back in 1963.
He says there have been many highlights over the past four decades, but what still sticks in his mind was standing on the stage at the Grand Ol' Opry in Nashville, "a little boy from Ngapuna".
FIRST TIME QUALIFICATION A KAPA HAKA FEAT
Qualifying for the kapa haka nationals on their first attempt is no mean feat.
That's what first time entrants, West Auckland based Nga Tumanako achieved over the weekend in the Auckland Kapa Haka Regionals held at the Aotea Centre.
They finished third with the more experienced Waka Huia and Manutaki groups taking out the top two spots with Manu Huia the fourth and final Auckland team to qualify for the nationals in Palmerston North next February.
Nga Tumanako's Amomai Piihama says the group is over the moon at their result.
"Manutake and Waka Huia are two of the best teams in the country, so it was never going to be easy to get above them, but we were only point five of a point behind Manutuke, so we are really pleased at the result, and it's the first time we have performed together at an adult competition level," Pihama said.
Nga Tumanako is made up of former students of the kura kaupapa at Hoani Waititi Marae.
MAORI MAKE QUEENS BIRTHDAY HONOURS
Two dozen Maori made the today's Queen's Birthday Honours list for their contributions to Maoridom and the country.
Ngati Awa runanga head Sidney Moko Mead became a distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to education and the Maori people.
Northland District Health Board chair Lynette Stewart from Ngati Wai became a Companion of the order, and Tama Huata, Pae Ruha and Malcom Short became Officers.
Ms Ruha, from Te Whanau a Apanui, Ngati Porou and Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairoa, is known as a teacher of Maori and a judge of Maori cultural and speech competitions, as well as being a valuable member of Wellington's Maori community.
She says she always felt driven to work for the community.
"Nobody can mistake me for anything other than a Maori, so my very first loyalty is to Maori. We have been trying to keep our te reo Maori going from behind the scenes for many many years, and also our identity, so that has been my life, trying to promote things Maori," she said.
Pae Ruha is also a life member cultural coordinator for the Maori Women's Welfare League.
Another league stalwart to feature in the honours list is its immediate past president, Kitty Bennett, who became a Member of the Order for services to Maori.
Other new Members are Whakatane justice of the peace Annie Hare, women's cricketer Maori Lewis, musician Eddie Low, Napier educationalist Evelyn Waaka, broadcaster Ray Waru and Rugby League great Tawera Nikau.
Nikau says attitude is the key to meeting life's challenges.
GREENS CO-LEADER LOOKING AT ALLIANCE WITH MAORI PARTY
The new co-leader of the Greens is looking forward to finding common ground with the Maori Party.
Russell Norman won the four way battle for the position left vacant by the death of Rod Donald.
He says the Greens retain their commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and although there were sticking points close to the election, there are areas where the parties can work together.
"Kaitiakitanga, looking after the environment, is common to both of our parties. Also both parties see you don't want everything in life taken over by markets and commercial relationships, some things are sacred. So I think we share a lot of philosophy, there is a lot of potential there," Norman said.
Russel Norman says the decision by a majority of Maori Party MPs to back Wayne Mapp's worker's probation bill is a reminder that on some issues the parties will be far apart.
The whanau has petitioned the queen to reverse a decision of an English general in World War II who vetoed the award of a Victoria Cross to Sergeant Haane Manahi for his bravery at Takrouna Ridge in North Africa in 1943.
Trade Minister Phil Goff, who accompanied a Te Arawa delegation to Buckingham Palace last month for a meeting with the Queen's private secretary, says it's now in the hands of the Queen.
"We've tried to frame our submission in such a way as to say this is an outstanding case, this is an exceptional case, but in the end all three - the government, the VC committee and Te Arawa - are prepared to accept the Queen's decision on this matter," Goff said.
Haane Manahi, who died in a car accident in 1986, only received a Distinguished Combat Medal for his feats.
EDDIE LOW THANKS FANS FOR GONG
Maori entertainer Eddie Low says he has his fans to thank for becoming a member of the New Zealand order of Merit in the Queen's Birthday honours list.
The Sydney based musician says it is their support that has allowed him to record 25 albums during his 43-year career, and he's looking forward to the next.
Low has been working professionally since he headed across the Tasman with an old friend, John Rowles, back in 1963.
He says there have been many highlights over the past four decades, but what still sticks in his mind was standing on the stage at the Grand Ol' Opry in Nashville, "a little boy from Ngapuna".
FIRST TIME QUALIFICATION A KAPA HAKA FEAT
Qualifying for the kapa haka nationals on their first attempt is no mean feat.
That's what first time entrants, West Auckland based Nga Tumanako achieved over the weekend in the Auckland Kapa Haka Regionals held at the Aotea Centre.
They finished third with the more experienced Waka Huia and Manutaki groups taking out the top two spots with Manu Huia the fourth and final Auckland team to qualify for the nationals in Palmerston North next February.
Nga Tumanako's Amomai Piihama says the group is over the moon at their result.
"Manutake and Waka Huia are two of the best teams in the country, so it was never going to be easy to get above them, but we were only point five of a point behind Manutuke, so we are really pleased at the result, and it's the first time we have performed together at an adult competition level," Pihama said.
Nga Tumanako is made up of former students of the kura kaupapa at Hoani Waititi Marae.
MAORI MAKE QUEENS BIRTHDAY HONOURS
Two dozen Maori made the today's Queen's Birthday Honours list for their contributions to Maoridom and the country.
Ngati Awa runanga head Sidney Moko Mead became a distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to education and the Maori people.
Northland District Health Board chair Lynette Stewart from Ngati Wai became a Companion of the order, and Tama Huata, Pae Ruha and Malcom Short became Officers.
Ms Ruha, from Te Whanau a Apanui, Ngati Porou and Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairoa, is known as a teacher of Maori and a judge of Maori cultural and speech competitions, as well as being a valuable member of Wellington's Maori community.
She says she always felt driven to work for the community.
"Nobody can mistake me for anything other than a Maori, so my very first loyalty is to Maori. We have been trying to keep our te reo Maori going from behind the scenes for many many years, and also our identity, so that has been my life, trying to promote things Maori," she said.
Pae Ruha is also a life member cultural coordinator for the Maori Women's Welfare League.
Another league stalwart to feature in the honours list is its immediate past president, Kitty Bennett, who became a Member of the Order for services to Maori.
Other new Members are Whakatane justice of the peace Annie Hare, women's cricketer Maori Lewis, musician Eddie Low, Napier educationalist Evelyn Waaka, broadcaster Ray Waru and Rugby League great Tawera Nikau.
Nikau says attitude is the key to meeting life's challenges.
GREENS CO-LEADER LOOKING AT ALLIANCE WITH MAORI PARTY
The new co-leader of the Greens is looking forward to finding common ground with the Maori Party.
Russell Norman won the four way battle for the position left vacant by the death of Rod Donald.
He says the Greens retain their commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and although there were sticking points close to the election, there are areas where the parties can work together.
"Kaitiakitanga, looking after the environment, is common to both of our parties. Also both parties see you don't want everything in life taken over by markets and commercial relationships, some things are sacred. So I think we share a lot of philosophy, there is a lot of potential there," Norman said.
Russel Norman says the decision by a majority of Maori Party MPs to back Wayne Mapp's worker's probation bill is a reminder that on some issues the parties will be far apart.
posted by Adam | 3:49 pm
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