Close up and personal time for Maori presenters

It's time for a bilingual presenter on prime time TV.

That's the view from Taiarahia Black, the head of Maori language at Massey University's Palmerston North campus.

He says a Maori presenter filling the slot left open by Susan Wood's departure from current affairs show Close Up would help normalise the use of te reo Maori.

“There's an opportunity here to have a bilingual presenter, senior Maori broadcaster, that can present attitude, unity, involvement of people, nurturing the issues along, providing the credibility for language development and the enthusiasm behind that language development,” Professor Black says.

He says any controversy would quickly die away, in the same way the Maori version of the national anthem became widely accepted after an initial furore.

LOW KURA RESULTS DEFENDED

The head of Maori studies at Manukau Institute of Technology is challenging findings that Maori immersion students are underachieving.

Kura kaupapa students tested at the end of their primary schooling scored lower than expected in maths, reading and writing.

Wiremu Doherty says kura kaupapa have a Maori perspective on how learning takes place.

He says it is a mistake to expect all students to conform to the template developed in mainstream schools.

“There's this assumption that learning happens on this curve that starts from zero and makes this steady progression heading upwards. No student learns that way. Every student is different. The minute we try to homogenize the way our students learn, we are going to get into trouble,” Mr Doherty says.

He says the mainstream system has failed to show it can make Maori needs a priority, so the Kura have stepped in to fill the gap.

WAIKATO CELEBRATE KAPA HAKA

Waikato will tonight celebrate its distinctive haka flavour.

A benefit concert at the Founders Theatre in Hamilton will raise funds to send the region's three representative kapa haka groups to the Te Matatini national championships in Palmerston North in February.

Organiser Joe Harawira says top groups from primary, secondary and adult level will show their class, with the highlight likely to be a mass performance by the top teams, Te Iti Kahurangi, Tamarau, and Taniwharau.

“They've been getting and practicing for mass items, the three groups. They’re going to be performing as individual groups, but right at the end of the evening we are going to see that kotahitanga come together, That is going to be the exciting thing for me,” Mr Harawira says.

AIDS FOUNDATION THROWS OUT TREATY CLAUSES

The Aids Foundation has voted to rewrite its constitution to remove references to the Treaty of Waitangi.

Chairperson Jeremy Lambert says the organisation launched a constitutional review last year after members revolted against a plan to give Maori half the seats on the board.

Mr Lambert says the vote was taken after widespread consultation, with many Maori members saying the treaty clauses should be taken out because the foundation was not part of government.

“They actually thought that the treaty clauses themselves were holding us back as an organisation and that we were far better to talk about biculturalism and to have quite explicit references to the way we work with Maori, rather than having quite bland references to the treaty,” Mr Lambert says.

Jeremy Lambert says the Aids Foundation runs effective programmes in Maori communities, and Aids is one of the few areas where the Maori statistics aren't disprortionately negative.

MAORI PARTY MEETS NATS ON FORESHORE BILL SUPPORT

Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples says Maori voters shouldn't read too much into a meeting held with National MPs during the week.

He says the departure of Don Brash as leader, has opened the way for dialogue on issues such as the Maori Party's bill to repeal the Foreshore and Seabed Act.

Dr Sharples says those critical of the meeting need to understand the only way that can be achieved is with National's support.

“That's what it is and that’s all it is, is getting National and United Future to vote for us. What they want to do after that is their business. If they want to bring in a heavier and do something heavier or something good, that’s their business, but right now we want their support to repeal this bill and throw it out,” Dr Sharples says.

MINISTER SAYS JUSTICE DURIE RETIREMENT LOSS TO LAW

The Minister of Maori Affairs say Maori owe Justice Eddie Durie a debt of gratitude for the work he has done over the past three decades.

Justice Durie has retires after 32 years as a Maori Land Court and High Court judge and as head of the Waitangi Tribunal.

Parekura Horomia says Justice Durie broke new ground as he rose to become one of the country's most respected jurists.

He says Justice Durie was a tireless worker, and even over the past few days, has been briefing ministers on his Te Waka Umanga report on new forms of governance for Maori organisations.

“Eddie has made a huge contribution over a long period of time. Huge integrity and stood the test of time and participated as a longer to a certain degree in a world where Maori have never been, and been a great leader,” Mr Horomia says.

He says Justice Durie's retirement is a loss to the legal profession.

PASIFIKA INTEREST NOT IN MAORI ROLL

Labour's Mana MP, Luamanuvao Winnie Laban, says there would be little interest among Pacific Islanders to go on the Maori electoral roll.

Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia has suggested opening up the roll to Pacific people, because they are the closest relatives to Maori.

Ms Laban, a Samoan, says Pacific people have their own place in Aotearoa New Zealand.

“At the end of the day you have a treaty that’s between Maori and Pakeha. Pacific peoples certainly should not be relegated with all the other ethnic groups because they also have a special place, but I’m very clear that the Maori roll is for Maori, and I think it’s important that be preserved,” Ms Laban says.