Waatea News Update

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Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Stats show where abuse cure lies

The head of the Child Abuse Prevention Service, Tau Huirama, says the latest statistics show the importance of Maori solutions to the problem.

Child, Youth and Family says Maori were responsible for 40 per cent of the 5000 plus critical child notifications cases it dealt with last year.

Mr Huirama says dysfunctional families must be targeted and given close support and, if necessary, supervision.

He says Maori can no longer ignore the signs of abuse.

“I think one of the solutions is we need to go back to families. Violence starts in the home. It’s not about looking away, and saying it’s none of my business. If there is an issue here about the well being of our mokopuna, how do we step in and make those changes.” Huirama said.

PARAONE DEFENDS CONSTITUTIONAL DELETION

New Zealand First Maori spokesperson MP Pita Paraone says treaty principles should be clearly defined before the term is included in the law.

A members bill from fellow party MP Doug Woolerton would delete all references to the Treaty of Waitangi.

Mr Paraone says that's essential to avoid further confusion.

He says vague treaty principles have caused division between Maori and non-Maori.

The Waitangi Tribunal has defined a number of treaty principles in its reports, and the Court of Appeal's finding in the Maori Council State Owned Enterprises case listed principles which have influenced government policies.

RONGOMAIWAHINE WAHINE BLUE OVER BLUE BAY

Opponents of a development on the former Blue Bay camping ground on the Mahia Peninsula say they won't be going away.

Last weekend the group showed films at Ruawhero Marae of the camping ground and their protests, which were triggered by state owned enterprise Landcorp's sale of the land to the lessee, who onsold it to developers of an exclusive subdivision..

Protest leader Joan Ropiha says tangata whenua are frustrated by their lack of progress.

“We'd done all the right things, we’d written submissions, gone to Environment Court, gone to media, had deputations with council, regional council, written to government, and not really got anywhere with that, and our people are saying why are you doing that, we don’t need to put up with this type of development,” Ropiha said.

Joan Roipiha says the development has already pushed up the rates of the neighbouring village, making it hard for Maori to keep living there.

LACK OF PRINCIPLES BACKWARD STEP

Waiariki MP Te Ururoa Flavell says removing references to the Treaty of Waitangi from legislation would be a backward step.

New Zealand First MP Doug Woolerton's Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Deletion Bill has made it through the ballot and will be considered by Parliament.

Mr Flavell says the Crown's refusal to adhere to the Maori version of the treaty resulted in the compromise of using treaty principles rather than the original text.

He says it was better than nothing.

“ There's a real difficulty for many interpreting how the treaty might be implemente , the principles were a fall back position, and now here is New Zealand First wanting to get rid of those principles, which would leave us with zilch, nothing,” Flavell said.

PM TAKES MIDDLE PATH ON MIDDLECLASS VS UNDERCLASS

Prime Minister Helen Clark says it is possible to develop policies for both the emerging Maori middle class and for those who are still struggling.

Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia has reorganised his Ministry to focus on Maori potential, and told staff to get out more into the community.

Labour list MP Shane Jones has said Te Puni Kokiri has limited resources, and needs to choose which group to target.

Ms Clark says she doesn't see any conflict between the members of her team.

“Shane's right, there is an emerging Maori middle class and that’s a great thing. But we must not leave others behind us as we move up a ladder, and I think Maoridom is focused on moving forward,” Clark said.

Helen Clark says latest employment statistics show how Maori will grab oportunities if they are given them.

CELEBRATION REPLACES PROTEST FOR NOW

The organiser of protests against development of the Blue Bay camping ground in Mahia says it is time to try a different approach.

Joan Ropiha says a film evening at Ruawhero Marae this weekend brought together tangata whenua and former campers to celebrate what they had, and mourn what they have lost.

Ms Ropiha said legal challenges and direct occupation had failed to stop that particular development of a former recreation reserve, but the Rongomaiwahine iwi was determined the developers should not be allowed to swallow up surrounding public land.

She says that means generating public support.

“We're moving to celebrations, like festivals, getting our people to come home, and our friends and supporters to celbrate our heritage with us and show them why we feel this way. It’s much more effective way of putting our message out because it works with the middle ground,” Ropiha said.

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