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Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Thursday, October 05, 2006

Maniapoto readies claims for hearing

Ngati Maniapoto is getting ready to lodge its claims over the King Country.

Glen Katu, the chair of the Maniapoto Treaty Claims Interim Steering Committee, says the iwi met the Waitangi Tribunal this week to discuss progress towards getting on the tribunal's work schedule.

While most King Country land remained locked up from sale until early in the 20th century, Mr Katu says there are still more than 100 claims from whanau, hapu and the whole iwi which need to be considered.
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“Whilst we do not wish to reveal the extent of our claims, I with injustices in our area are considerable, and ll state that Maniapoto, in terms of our loss, will have a comprehensive claim,” Katu said.

Glen Katu says the tribunal has already prepared background historical research reports on the Maniapoto claim area, and the iwi is keen to start collecting oral histories and other tribal research.

WAGE BILL BOOST FISHY TO TURIA

Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia says the government's plan to increase the hourly rate for foreign fishing crews in New Zealand waters is a direct attack on Maori.

Ms Turia says most iwi companies charter foreign boats to fish their deepwater quota, and workers are not paid less than they would usually get.

She says it will be Maori who are most affected by the change.

“This will have a huge impact on Maori fishing because if we think about who owns the majority of the fishery today, it’s us, and this is a deliberate attempt to undermine us,” Turia said.

KOHANGA REO LOOK FOR MALE INPUT

Te Kohanga Reo National Trust chairperson Timoti Karetu says Maori children need male role models at kohanga reo.

Professor Karetu says that was the consensus of a hui held recently at Matakana Island on the role of men in the Maori immersion preschool movement.

He says mokopuna need to understand the role of men, so they don't confuse the roles of men and women.

“Get them to preach the gospel of getting more men into the movement so that mokopuna in kohanga can identify with males as well as women or they might come to the conclusion that kohanga equals women, and no men, so that’s the simple reason for the hui having been held,” Karetu said.

Professor Timoti Karetu says there are just over men working within the kohanga reo movement nationally.

MAORI CRIMINAL LAWYERS NEEDED

The Maori Law Society says there is a real need for Maori law graduates who want to specialise in criminal law.

Members of Maori lawyers' association Te Huinga Roia Maori were welcomed to Te Aute College in Hawkes Bay this afternoon for the start of their annual hui.

Organiser Aidan Warren says this year's theme is Tino Rangatiratanga - controlling your own destiny.

Mr Warren says law has become a popular profession for Maori, but there are still not enough to go round.

“It's easy to say there arte too many lawyers and easy to say there are too many Maori lawyers, but I still think we have to look at the statistics and too many of out people are before the courts, particularly the criminal courts and the family courts, and what we are finding is that very few of our law students who compete their degrees head into that area of law,” Warren said.

Aidan Warren says about 160 lawyers and law students are expected at the three day conference.

MINISTER WAITS FOR ANSWERS ON DRUG REGIME

The Minister of Maori Affairs believes Maori interests can be accommodated in a new Australasian regulatory regime for drugs and natural remedies.

The Waitangi Tribunal has taken the government to task for its failure to properly consult with iwi in developing the proposed Australia and New Zealand Therapeutic Products Authority, and recommended it work with Wai 262 fauna and flora claimants to set up a consultation process.

Parekura Horomoa says it is still unclear how the new regime will affect Maori practices such as the use of rongoa or plants for healing.

He says the use of rongoa must be maintained, and he’s keen to see the detail of what is decided on.

CULTURAL SKILLS NEEDED IN HEALTH

A nationwide survey of development needs in the Maori health workforce development is identifying potential conflicts between cultural and professional skills.

Palmerston North based Te Rau Matatini has been holding regional hui with workers at health providers and kaupapa Maori services from Kawakawa to Wellington.

Project leader Lucy Bush says trainers need to overcome a range of barriers in increase competency in both worlds.

“Get very familiar and comfortable in the clinical or the technical or the professional world that we have to learn about, and still come from a Maori base. It’s about incorporating the two together for Maori. Those are some of the barriers the management from the various organisations needed some training in as well,” Bush said.

Lucy Bush says a final hui will be held at Ratana Pa from the later this month and Te Rau Matatini aimed to complete its report before the end of the year.

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