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Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Fish farm risk needs sharing, strategy

Ngati Kahungunu chairperson Ngahiwi Tomoana says Maori need to work together to lessen the risks of entering the fish farming industry.

The first Maori in Aquaculture conference was held in Neslon last week for iwi to share experiences and develop strategies for the future.

Mr Tomoana says while some iwi like those at the top of the South Island have considerable experience, most other iwi are just starting.

Ngati Kahungunu has a 40 percent stake in a large mussel farm off the Hawkes Bay coast.

Mr Tomoana says aquaculture is fraught with economic and environmental danger.

“It's going to need massive investment for minimal return at the moment under today’s conditions, but we also know that the wild fishery internationally is dwindling, and the rise of aquaculture is exponential, so we have to be part of that, but it is about being tupato (careful) around that,” Tomoana says.

He says iwi need to be ready to make use of the 20 percent of aquaculture space they are due to receive under the terms of the Aquculture settlement,

MAORI TINGE TO WELLINGTON GALLERY EXTENSION

Part of the Wellington City Gallery will take on a Maori aspect when a $3.4 million extension starts next May.

Wellington City Council has approved a Maori and Pacific Island art space in the plans.

Director Paula Savage says the extensions are being funded from $1.5 million bequest from the former Russell Hancock gallery, $1.3 million from the Wellington City Council and $600,000 from private benefactors.

Ms Savage says although Maori art has always featured in the exhibitions calendar, the gallery wants more of it.

“That is a specific direction of the gallery, and it will be really good that there is always Maori and Pacific art available to see in the gallery,” Savage says

Renovations will also take place in the foyer, auditorium and upstairs space of the old Wellington Library building.

Savage says the gallery is working with architect Stuart Gardyne to ensure the character of the building remains intact.

SYMPATHETIC EAR VITAL AFTER EMERGENCY STRESS

A Maori who retired this year after 44 years in the fire service, says the advent of counseling services for firefighters is one of the biggest gains during his time.

Health problems forced Gisborne based Shane Pihema into early retirement.

When he joined the Auckland brigade in the late 1960's there were relatively few Maori fighting fires.

He says many were put off by the academic qualifications the service demanded at the time.

Mr Pihema says there was also nothing to help firefighters deal with the stress of the job.

“Didn't have counseling in those days. We sort of had to live with it. And sometimes when I would go back to the station I couldn’t sleep. Nowadays you can get counseling for all that, but motor vehicle accidents and fatalaties and house fires, it still sits on your mind even now,” Pihema says.

KEY SPEECH EXTENDS HAND TO MAORI VOTE

The head of Maori and indigenous studies at Canterbury University says the first speech by new National Party leader John Key appeared to extend a hand to Maori voters and the Maori Party.

Rawiri Taonui says Mr Key seemed keen to get the party away from the narrow stance on race relations and treaty matters pushed by former leader Don Brash.

Mr Key said today that while National will always believe in one standard of citizenship, it should also celebrate cultural, religious and ethnic differences.

Mr Taonui says that is a significant shift aimed at Maori.

“One of the realities is Maori traditionally never have and probably never will vote for National in droves, but if he was thinking strategically in an MMP environment, if on one hand you can’t win the Maori seats, then you could secure a partner who might win them for you,” Taonui says.

Rawiri Taonui says to improve relations with Maori, Mr Key would have to give the Maori affairs role back to one of National's Maori MPs and formulate more positive policies on retention of the Maori seats, ownership of foreshore and seabed and settlement of treaty claims.

KOROWAI FOR TOP GOLFER

The winner of this week's New Zealand Golf Open is to receive a Maori cloak, or korowai to wear during the presentation of the trophy.

Vic Pirihi from Ngati Tamariki Trust, which fosters interest in the game among Maori youth, says it will be a unique way to acknowledge the New Zealand champion.

“He will be dressed up in it like they do the Masters, and he will receive a memento as well which has been provided by the Ngati Tamariki Trust, and the cape will stay in a glass case in the New Zealand Golf offices in Wellington forever, and be brought out once a year for this presentation,” Pirihi says.

Five Maori golfers will tee off at Gulf Harbour, including former US Open winner Michael Campell.

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