Waatea News Update

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Friday, May 26, 2006

Anne Delamere, influential Maori civil servant, dies

Tears today for the passing of one of Maoridom's most visionary and inspiring leaders.

Anne Delamere from Te Arawa and Te Whana a Apanui died in Wellington today after a long illness.

Miss Delamere joined the Maori Affairs Department after getting out of the Air Force in 1950, and she devoted her life to the welfare of Maori people.

She was instrumental in the formation of the Maori Women's Welfare League and participated in a wide range of Maori and community orgasnisations. In 2004 she was made a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Former Kohanga Reo chief executive Iritana Tawhiwhirangi says Miss Delamere was a mentor to her when she joined the department in the 1960s, and her wisdom was widely sought inside and outside the department.

Mrs Tawhiwhirangi says Anne Delamere's advice set the direction for the Maori Affairs Tu Tangata strategy of the late 1970s.

"She just said if things are to change, we must move from focussing on the problems of our people and we have to look at how we can touch their lives to bring out the positive development of our people. Out of that policy emerged kokiri centres, kohanga reo, kura, wananga, and all sorts of other initiatives that are in place today," Tawhiwhirangi said.

Anne Delamere will be taken to Pipitea Marae tomorrow.

POWHIRI BOYCOTT POLICY ALREADY IN PLACE

The Maori cultural advisor to the Corrections Department says a call for a boycott of government powhiri is too late.

The Maori Party says Maori employees in government departments should stay away from powhiri that aren't done properly.

Charlie Tawhiao says that already happens.

"Most Maori public servants will recognise where powhiri, whakatau, whatever you want to call them, have been performed almost as a cabaret rather than respecting the inherent cultural values implicit in thawt process. The option is always available to Maori staff not to attend these things," Tawhiao said.

MAORI MODERNISTS ON SHOW 40 YEARS AFTER


A milestone in Maori modernism is being revisited at Waikato Museum this weekend.

40 years ago the museum put together a ground-breaking exhibition of contemporary work by artists including Ralph Hotere, Para Matchitt, Selwyn Muru, Fred Graham,John Bevan Ford, Cliff Whiting, Arnold Wilson and Muru Walters.

Now the museum is presenting Aukaha - 40 Years On, featuring those artists and some of their contemporaries.

Co-curator Leafa Wilson says the generation of artists represented in Aukaha challenged established views of Maori art.

"They were using something that wasn't foreign, it was just different. The means with which Maori stories were usualy were out out were through kowhaiwahi panes, tekoteko, the carvings. Now they were coming out through paintings, two dimensional, not always three dimensional, not always craft based," Wilson said.

DELAMERE HARENESSED STRENGTH OF MAORI WOMEN


Distinguished kuia Anne Delamere, a major behind the scenes influence on Maori policy over the past half century, died in Wellington today after a long illness.

Miss Delamere joined Maori Affairs in 1950 after getting out of the Women's Auxilary Air Force, and one of her first tasks was to help set up the Maori Women's Welfare League.

Former Maori Affairs deputy secretary Neville Baker says Miss Delamere was an important link between the department and other government and private agencies, showing them how to work with Maori people.

"Very much to the fore was the whole philosophy that Maori women were instrumental in helping families with their education and health and employment and so forth. Anne was able to harness the strength of Maori women, not unlike Whina Cooper in many respects," Baker said.

Neville Baker says Anne Delamere will be remembered as an extremeley dignfied person who was rrespected by all who came into contact with her.

WANANGA CUTS 330 NON-TEACHING JOBS

The axe has finally come down on staff at Te Wananga o Aotearoa.

Non-teaching staff heard today that 330 middle management and support jobs will go, leaving the country's largest Maori tertiary institution with about 750 positions.

Teaching staff will be culled later.

Wananga chairman Craig Coxhead says as a result of consultation, some regional jobs were saved, but head office will be smaller.

He says it's about survival.

"And that's what it's all about, the organisation ensuring it is viable. We were at a level where we were was over-staffed, so we are looking to get that level right. Also rationalisation of properties, course development, so this orgasination is around tomorrow.

FIVE MAORI MAKE AB'S B SQUAD

The Maori coach says good luck to the five Maori players named in the All Black train on squad.

Troy Flavell, Marty Hola, Luke McAllister, Johnno Gibbes and David Hill are those named three days out from the official announcement of the All Black squad to play first test against Ireland.

Maori coach Donny Stevenson pays tribute to all five players.

Thursday, May 25, 2006

Samuels rejects powhiri formalism

Labour MP Dover Samuels says a call by Maori Party co leader Pita Sharples for Maori public servants to boycott powhiri at government department buildings is naive.

Dr Sharples is objecting to an emerging practice that state agencies hold whakatau or less formal welcoming ceremony, which allows women to sit in the front row.

Mr Samuels says while local kawa should be followed if the powhiri is being held on a marae, it doesn't apply in government buildings.

Mr Samuels says Maori tikanga must be adaptable to modern circumstances.

MAORI AT FISHERIES CONFERENCE

Maori fishing interests were a big presence at this week's Seafood Industry Council conference in Wellington.

Te Ohu Kaimoana fisheries settlement trust chief executive Peter Douglas says many of the iwi now own quota, which gave them a bigger motivation to attend.

The conference is the industry's annual forum to discuss issues of governance and management, and to share information about the state of fisheries and market conditions.

Mr Douglas says in such a closely-knit industry, a lot of the value of the conference is not just the exchange of information but the development of relationships, and many of the friendships forged in earlier conferences had led to valuable commercial relationships for Maori.


HAURAKI CONCERNED AT NGATI POROU CUSTOMARY CLAIM


A hui is being held in Coromandel tomorrow to discuss the claim.

Koro Ngapo from Hauraki iwi Ngati Tamatera says Ngati Porou ki Hauraki was gifted land at Mataoro south of Whangamata and at Kennedy Bay and more than a century ago to use as a stopping off point as they travelled between Tairawhiti and Auckland.

But Mr Ngapo says Ngati Tamatera still have waahi tapu on the land, and they should be included in any talks.

He says Ngati Porou is not behaving properly.

Koro Ngapo says Ngati Tamatera is meeting Ministry of Justice officials today to get its concerns on to tomorrow's agenda.

NGAITAHU LEADERSHIP STRUGGLE WATCHED BY MOTU

Tomorrow's vote by the executive of Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu on who should be its chairman is creating a lot of interest in Maori circles.

Three board members are challenging Mark Solomon for the position he has held for 8 years.

Manuka Henare, the associate dean for Maori and Pacific development at Auckland University, says because Ngai Tahu was one of the first iwi to get a major settlement, other iwi are watching its performance closely.

Even if Ngai Tahu did not intend it, the tribe has assumed a leadership position in post settlement development.

Mr Henare says whoever holds the top job, it's important the runanga maintain the momentum which has seen it triple its initial $170 million settlement.

The contest has been sharpened by a leaked email from Ngai Tahu chief executive Tahu Potiki accusing Mr Solomon of not telling the tribe's board that the head of its commercial arm Ngai Tahu Holdings, Robin Pratt, resigned two weeks ago.

28 MAORI BATTALION CD SOLD OUT

A compilation commemorating the 28 Maori Battalion is going into its second edition.

The double CD set features songs and hymns sung by members of the battalion, and was released to coincide with the reunion before Easter of the majority of the batallion's 70 surviving members.

Compiler Henare Te Ua says its popularity caught the label by surprise.

Henare cites Horomia betrayal

National list MP Tau Henare says Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia has betrayed the trust of his people.

Mr Henare and other National and Maori Party MPs laid into the minister at yesterday's Maori affairs select committee meeting after he admitted he had not sought any extra money for his ministry in the Budget.

Mr Henare says nearly fell off his chair when he heard that.

"And it's not so much about whether we are going to spend more, it's his lack of advocacy about some ideas out there among his people, that's what irks me. He has abdicated his responsibility to the people," Henare said.

CRITICS NARROW MINDED SAYS HORMIA

But Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia says Opposition parties who are demanding his resignation are only telling half the story.

Mr Horomia says over the past six years Te Puni Kokiri's budget has increased from $55 million to $156 million, and it was important that money was being properly spent.

"People are being narrow minded. Their line is they expect us to give extra money to beneficiaries. Under our regime beneficiaries have been very well looked after. There is only one payment they don't get under working for families and that is the in work payment. We set an agenda to get as many families as we could in work and reward them for it," Henare said.

Parekura Horomia says spending on Maori is spread across a range of government departments.

THE ONLY QUEEN FOR REV TAMAKI IS MAORI QUEEN

The sight of Brian Tamaki sitting next to the Maori Queen during coronation celebrations may have sent the wrong message to rangatahi.

Kaumatua and veteran broadcaster Henare Te Ua says some Maori may think Te Arikinui is supporting Brian Tamaki and his beliefs, which includes strong criticism of homosexuality and civil unions.

Mr Te Ua says some younger Maori may think Tamaki was being endorsed by the queen, but older Maori will realise it was a kind act by Dame Te Ata which was used by Tamaki to his advantage.


MAUI SHOW READY TO TAKE ON WORLD (AFTER CHRISTCHURCH)

The artistic director of a dance theatre production about legendary demi-god Maui Tikitiki says he wants to take the show global.

Maui - One Man Against the Gods opens for its second season in Christchurch next week,

Tanemahuta Gray says the cast and crew have had a year since the first season in Wellington to get the show ready for international touring.

The show, which combines aerial theatre, traditional Maori kapa haka and contemporary dance, opens at Christchurch's Isaac Theatre Royal on May 31.

TE ARIKINUI'S WORKLOAD CONCERN TO TAINUI KAUMATUA

A leading Tanui kaumatua says tribal elders are considering appointing someone to take some of the workload off Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu.

Napi Waaka says Waikato kaumatua are concerned at the health of the Maori Queen.

Dame Te Ata was absent during the early part of the past week's coronation commemorations at Turangawaewae Marae, and during her address to the hui on Tuesday she alluded to her tiredness.

Mr Waaka says someone else could stand in at events like the regular pokai or tribal forums, which are held on different Kingitanga marae up to three times a month.

HUI TAUMATA BACK ON ROAD

The Hui Taumatua Taskforce is going on the road to keep up the enthusiasm for Maori economic development.

The taskforce was formed after last year's Maori economic summit, with the aim of stimulating ideas about development and creating forums where Maori and business leaders can get get to know each other.

Spokesperson June McCabe says the roadshow will be a chance to promote 10 projects amied at getting more Maori involved in business.

She says the first hui at the Overseas Passenger Terminal in Wellington tomorrow is expected to attract up to 150 people.


LEAGUE PUNISHMENT OVER THE TOP

Maori Rugby League chairman Howie Tamati says the NRL over-reacted by banning Cronulla Utility player, Tevita Latu from playing in the competition ever again.

Howie Taamati says the young Polynesian player has yet to be convicted on a charge of assault, after allegedly punching a teenage girl outside a Sydney petrol station in the early hours of Monday.

He says while Latu admitted his involvment, the case hasn't been to trial, and the NRL should have waited for the law to run its course.

Mr Tamati says the incident should serve as a reminder to young Maori and Polynesian sportsmen that professional sport means being under scrutiny both on and off the field.

He says Latu obviously needs help, but denying him the opportunity to earn his living may not be legal.

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Horomia resignation call over bid failure

National MP Georgina te Heuheu says Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia should resign over his failure to bid for more money for his portfolio.

Mr Horomia made the admission during a Maori affairs select committee hearing yesterday, as he was being grilled about a $23.9 million reorganisation of his ministry's budget to fund a new Maori Potential Framework,

Mrs Te Heuheu says the minister is keen to talk about Maori business and Maori success, but he is ignoring the large number of Maori who are on benefits, who suffer poor health or who are in jail.

Georgina te Heuheu says mainstream departments haven't been able to tackle Maori problems, and it is up to Mr Horomia's ministry to come up with some new ideas.

TREATY ROADSHOW PACKS UP

The project manager of the Treaty 2U roadshow says New Zealanders are keen to know more about our founding document.

Kit O'Conner says the roadshow, which wrapped up last week after four and a half months touring the country, drew a positive reaction.

The exhibit was put together by Te Papa Tongarewa, the national museum.

Ms O'Conner says there were 1400 visitors in one day in Christchurch Square and 400 in Wairoa, but numbers were ldown in many other centres.

She says success was not measured in visitor numbers, as it was the quality of the experience that counted.

Kit O'Conner says stakeholders are yet to meet to decide what will happen with the resources used in the Treatry 2U roadshow.

TRADITIONAL INSTRUMENTS TO MARK NEW YEAR

Auckland War Memorial Museum has chosen taonga puoro as its theme to celebrate Matariki, the Maori new year.

Kipa Rangiheuea says next month's exhibit will allow vistors to understand how traditional Maori music has developed over time.

He says the public will be able to take part in workshops where they can make simple instruments, as well as learn their place in traditional and contemporary Maori society.

Kipa Rangiheuea says is an increasing interest in taonga puoro, thanks to those who kept the art alive, such as the Te Poroa Malcom from Te Arawa and the late Hirini Melbourne from Tuhoe.

MAORI PARTY JOINS CALL FOR HOROMIA RESIGNATION


Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples says he expects some flak from Maori over his call for the Minister of Maori Affairs to resign.

The Maori Party had promised a new style of polticis, but Dr Sharples says Parekura Horomia's failure to seek additional Budget funding for Maori intitiatives is totally unacceptable.

"He's not doing the job. That's why we got into Parliament, to get new money for Maori initiaitves and now we find it's our own people blcoking that aid coming through." Dr Sharples said.

Pita Sharples says Mr Horomia seems to be more answerable to the Labour Cabinet than to his Ikaroa-Rawhiti constituents.

TURIA WANTS MAORI OFF BENEFITS

Te Tai Hauauru MP Tariana Turia says she'd like to see the end of the benefit system.

The Maori Party co-leader says Maori have been made too dependent on the state, and initiatives like Working for Families, which offers tax credits to assist with housing and childcare, keep them dependent.

She says it's too easy for people to stay unemployed, and the government should look to Sweden, where people on the dole have to take a job if it offered.

"I don't think it's been good for our people to be on benefits. It's been soul destroying actually. The only people who should receive a benefit of any kind are those who are loking after and raising their children, and the rest of us should be out there getting work so we are not beneficiaries of the state," Turia said.

Tariana Turia says Maori people have allowed government to control their lives.

MORE PRAISE FOR QUIET COACH

Te reo Maori sports commentator Scotty Morrison says Colin Cooper is one of the quiet achievers of Maori sport.

He says the Hurricanes coach has guided his team to this weekend's Super 14 final against the Crusaders without fuss or fanfare, and will be a strong contender for coach of the year at the National Maori Sports Awards in November.

Mr Morrison says Colin Cooper has kept a relatively low profile in the media, preferring to be judged by his team's performances on the field.

Labour keeping Maori on leash

Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia says Labour's Working For Families social policy framework is bad for Maori.

Working for Families gives tax credits to families with children to help with housing, childcare and other costs.

Mrs Turia says it's just another form of control.

"And we need to get this right out of our psyche actually, that we need to be beneficiaries of any government. We should be starting to look to a future where we stand on our own two feet. That is what this government should be assisting our people to do, not continuing to keep them within a beneficiary frame of mind," Turia said.

Tariana Turia says she is disappointed the government has slashed funding for programmes she was instrumental in setting up, such as the Ministry for Maori Development's capacity building and whanau development initiatives.


44 NEW WARDENS FOR WEST AUCKLAND

Moves to increase the number of Maori wardens on the street is being given a boost this week by the graduation of 44 new recruits in West Auckland.

Spokesman Jack Taumaunu says that makes the Waitemata Maori Wardens the biggest sub-association in the country.

He says wardens have a proven track record of being able to tackle problems which the police may not have the resources of cultural skills to address.

"We can make make a difference to reduce crime which Maori dominate. It is absolutely apalling and it hurts us to see the continuous night and day arrests of our own tamariki and our own people going before the courts," Taumanu said.

Jack Taumaunu says he welcomes the support of New Zealand First law and order spokesman Ron Mark, who is fighting for more resources to allow warden numbers to grow.

WORD OF KINGITANGA SPREADING

National MP Georgina Te Heu Heu says the information age is helping to spread the word of the Kingitanga.

She says in the past 40 years the profile of the movement has increased, as first television and then the Internet allowed more people to hear of Kingitanga and what it stands for.

Mrs Te Heu Heu says much of that higher profile is due to Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu, whose reign as the Maori queen for the past 40 years was the focus of a week of celebrations at Ngaruawahi.


NGAITAHU FINANCIAL STRATEGY CRITICISED

A man pushing to become the head of New Zealand's richest tribe says it should do more business with the people closest to home.

James Daniels will find out on Satuday whether he has the votes to unseat Mark Solomon as chair of the Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu.

The contest has been marked by concern over what Mr Daniels says is the under-performance of some of Ngai Tahu's main commercial entities.

This week's resignation of Ngai Tahu Holdings chief executive Robin Pratt has added fuel to the fire, coming only a fortnight after the release of an upbeat press release on his organisation's half year earnings which critics said was done to prop up Mr Solomon.

Mr Daniels says the tribe hasn't worked hard enough to be part of the business community in the South Island.

"Ngai Tahu being the largest iwi in the South Island, it makes sense for us to go into joint busienss ventures with prominient entities from the South Island, be they companies or families or individuals, and it also establishes we are prepared to spread the risks and the returns, and it also establishes we are here forever, we are not going anywhere, and we are sharing the love down there," Daniels said.


CORONATION WORKERS REWARDED WITH A SMILE

The kaimahi or workers at Turangawaewae Marae have looked after tens of thousands of people over the past week, and did it all for a smile.

Moko Templeton, the communications manager for the 40th celebrations of the Maori Queen's coronation, says Waikato iwi and hapu were invited to come out front this year, rather than just work behind the scenes.

They were involved in kapa haka and dramatic productions, written for and performed by rangatahi and focusing on issues affecting them such as youth suicide.

Ms Templeton says their reward was to hear Te Arikinui Dame te Atairangikaau's response.


MAORI SPORTS AWARDS SEEKS STANDARDISATION

The body which organises the national Maori sports awards is keen that regional competititons use the same judging criteria.

Te Tohu Taakaro O Aotaearoa chairman Dick Garret says more regions are starting their own Maori sports awards.

He says regional representatives met in Auckland over the past two days to discuss how their events could integrate with the national awards, being held in Manukau in mid November.

Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Tauranga contemporary claims to get airing

Tauranga Moana tribes are getting ready for stage two of Waitangi Tribunal hearings into their claims.

Hearings finished on stage one in 2001 on stage one, and in 2004 the tribunal reported its finding that Tauranga Moana tribes were unjustifiably attacked in the 1860s and should not have had their land confiscated.

Ngati Ranginui chairman Huikakahu Kawe says the new tribunal sitting at Maungatapu Marae in Tauranga next week will hear about events after the raupatu, including health, economic and social issues and about how each hapu was affected differently.

Huikakahu Kawe says putting their issues on the table should help hapu in any future arguments with local and central government over resource mangement.

SMOKEFREE ADVOCATES START MURDER CAMPAIGN

Maori smokefree advocates are changing tack.

Sky Kimura, a spokesperson for the Maori smokefree kaupapa, says the World Smokefree day is not far off, and the anti smoking group are targetting tobacco manufacturers rather than users.

Ms Kimura was part of a recent Maori delegation that challenged giant American based tobacco manufacturer Phillip Morris about its use of Maori imagery to market tobacco product.

She says the companies are continuing to profit from the misery they cause in Maori communities.

MAORI NEED AGED CARE EARLY

A Christchurch based health worker says Maori should push for aged care services to be made available for people under 65.

Wendy Dallas Katoa is a project manager for Pegasus Health, which has more than 15 thousand Maori on its books.

She says while there are initiatives to improve the overall state of Maori health, many Maori are dying too young.

NZ FIRST PUSHES WARDEN INITIATIVE

New Zealand First law and order spokesman Ron Mark says Maori Wardens may be the answer to crime problems in many communities.

As part of its confidence and supply agreement with Labour, New Zealand First asked for $15 million to bolster the wardens and reestablish them where communities want them.

Mr Mark says Maori wardens have shown in the past they can make a positive impact on young people getting into trouble.

Ron Mark says he's heartened by moves in Masterton to get wardens back on the streets, and other communities are also showing interest.

ST STEPHENS FALLING INTO DISREPAIR

A former student and teacher at St Stephen Maori Boys School in Bombay, south of Auckland, says supporters have been duped by the Anglican Church.

Wiremu Docherty, who now heads the Maori department of the Manukau Institute of Technology, says when St Stephens closed, the church spokespeople claimed a new school would be built for Maori secondary school students.

That hasn't happened.

Mr Docherty lives close to the old school, and says former students would be horrified to see the kura falling into a state of disrepair.

He says they were too trusting of the church and allowed one of the oldest schools in the country to close.

SMOKING, HEALTH ACCESS BLAMES FOR PNEUMONIA

Smoking and poor access to health services have been given as the main reasons Maori are more likely to get pneumonia than non-Maori.

Wendy Dallas Katoa, the Maori health project manager from Christchurch's Pegasus Healthcare, says a New Zealand Medical Journal report that Maori are three times more likely to be hospitalised with pneumonia shows a multi-pronged campaign is needed to address the problem.

She says the fact one in two adult Maori are smokers is just one contributing factor, and the fact Maori present at a later stage of their illness and often don't have GP care also contributes.

Wendy Dallas Katoa says not enough resources are being put into Maori smoking cessation programmes to match the need.

PM ponders spiritual wording

The Prime Minister says she is confident Tainui's spiritual and cultural concerns over the Waikato River can be addressed in any settlement.

Helen Clark went empty handed to Turangawaewae Marae in Ngaruawahia yesterday, because ministers and officials had been unable to reach agreement on the river claim.

Ms Clark says that didn't matter, because the important thing is to get the settlement right, and that will take a lot of time.

She says while many of the elements Maori find important are spiritual and metaphysical concepts, it is possible to acknowledge in legislation the great significance something has for people.

"An approach can be to acknowledge the great significance something has for people. It might not be what, say, Pakeha feel about a river but it may express a deep felt belief among iwi where the river boundary is," Clark said.

Helen Clark says she was pleased to take part in the celebrations of the 40th annivesary of the coronation of the Maori Queen, because it was a chance to reaffirm a long standing relationship.

GISBORNE MAORI FEAR CORONER LOSS

Rongowhakaata chairman Stan Pardoe says Gisborne Maori are worried they are about to lose their coroner.

The Coroners' Bill currently going through Parliament could allow pathology services for Gisborne and the East Cape to be managed by coroners in Tauranga of Hawkes Bay.

Mr Pardoe says that would add to the stress suffered by bereaved relatives.

Stan Pardoe says Maori want to stay with the body of their relative, wherever it may be.

LOCAL FLAVOUR LOST IN LANGUAGE REVIVAL

While there has been a revival in the learning and use of te reo Maori, some of the richness of the language is in danger of being lost.

That's the view of Wiremu Docherty of Tuhoe, head of Maori studies at Manukau Institute of Technology.

Mr Docherty says a lot of what he hears seems one dimensional, compared with the language he grew up with.

"It's losing its rich vibrancy. It's losing the tribal dialects. You can no longer listen to a student and listen to the metaphors and say ah, this is where the student is from," Docherty says.

HIS DESTINY TO SIT BY QUUEN

Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki says people shouldn't read too much into his seating beside the Maori Queen during yesterday's visit to Turangawaewae Marae by the Prime Minister and her Labour colleagues.

Mr Tamaki says he was invited to speak that morning at a prayer breakfast, part of a week of ceremonies in Ngaruawahia marking the 40th anniversary of the coronation of Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu.

He says after the breakfast, Dame Te Ata asked him to sit with her in the porch of the house Mahinarangi for the next part of the ceremonies - the arrival of the Government contingent.

Mr Tamaki says Dame Te Ata is not a member of his church.

"We just have a great friendship and I have always enjoyed her company and I guess she does with mine and I really appreciate who she is and what she stands for and her mana, and when she requested I speak at that ruby breakfast, I was honoured to," Tamaki said.

Brian Tamaki says it was not the first time he has spoken at events at Turangawaewae.

BISHOP SAYS CARE FOR TANIWHA

Meanwhile at Ngaruawahia today, the Koroneihana Hui reached its climax with a speech by the Maori Queen looking forward to commemoraqtions in 2008, which will mark the 150th anniversary of the formation of the Kingitanga.

Dame Te Atairangikaahu also thanked the tens of thousands of people who attended the ceremonies from around the country and the Pacific.

Waatea News reporter Mania Clark says about 5000 people attended today's ceremonies, which were marked by frequent showers.

While Dame Te Ata did not raise yesterday's visit by the Prime Minister and the failure to secure a deal on the Waikato River claim in time for the hui, it was the subject of a wero or challenge in a sermon delivered in this morning's prayer serviceby former Bishop of Aotearoa Whakahuihui Vercoe.

Bishop Vercoe said the Government should return the river to Tainui, because no one else can look after the taniwha who famously occupy every bend.

The week winds up this evening with a concert featuring veteran showband the Maori Volcanics.

airforce gets own haka

AIRFORCE GETS OWN HAKA

Flight Sergeant George Mana, who is stationed in Wellington, says while there are fewer Maori in the airforce than the army or navy, Air Force brass were keen the service had its special haka.

The haka was written by serving members and cleared by Kuia and Kaumatua with long standing connections to the air force.

Mr Mana says the haka Ko Te Taua-a-rangi asks a series of questions.

Monday, May 22, 2006

Celebration's for people's queen

Today is the final day of the Koroneihana Hui in Ngaruawahia, marking the 40th anniversary of the coronation of Te Arikinui Dame Te Ata-i-rangikaahu.

Former Tainui Trust Board chairman Hare Puke says the thousands of people who have come to Turangawaewae from around Aotearoa and the Pacific this past week is a testament to the love and respect which the Maori Queen inspires among people.

Mr Puke says Dame Te Ata brings charm and humility to the job.

"She stays at the level of all people and I think that is a commanding attribute that she has. She is comfortable at all level," Puke said.

Hare Puke says the failure by Crown and Tainui negotiators to finalise a settlement of the Waikato River claim did not diminish the celebrations, because there is obviously goodwill from the Government to reaqching a settlement.


GREENS WANT PERMANENT TREATY EDUCATION TEAM

Green Party Maori Affairs spokesperson Metiria Turei says while the just-finished Treaty 2 U roadshow was a good idea, more money for treaty educators would make a bigger impact.

Ms Turei says the country has a good network of treaty educators, both Maori and Pakeha.

She says confronting treaty issues can raise strong emotions, and the educators have developed ways people can work through the issues in a safe environment.

Meteria Turei says the government can't expect much from a single roadshow, and it needs a consistent approahc to treaty education.


WAIRARAPA LOOKS TO WARDEN REVIVAL

Masterton is trying to revive a Maori Wardens service.

Police iwi liaison officer Rob Rutene says the wardens ceased operating in the Wairarapa town about 15 or 20 years ago.

Constable Rutene says wardens can help with Maori and youth offending in ways which sometimes the police aren't able to.

Rob Rutene says crime in the town can come from any sector, and the latest rash of graffiti attacks which affected more than 30 shops and other buildings was actually caused by Pakeha youths.


WANANGA SHOT ACROSS PM'S BOWS


Government leaders have received a polite dressing down from one of their former colleagues for their management of a political row over the largest Maori tertiary institution, Te Wananga o Aotearoa.

Then-Education Minister Trevor Mallard put a Crown Manager into the Te Awamutu-based wananga last year, and the Audit Office was asked to report on spending by former chief executive Rongo Wetere.

A subsequent report failed to substantiate any of the allegations made in Parliament against Mr Wetere, but he took early retirement.

At the Koroneihana hui in Ngaruawahia yesterday, Mr Wetere's cousin, former Labour Cabinet Minister Koro Wetere, told Prime Minister Helen Clark and her entourage of Labour MPs that the wananga was a major step forward for Maori education.

"No other tertiary institution has done as much for the development of Maori education as that organisation today, and I would hope, Prime Minister, that the expressions and the policies surrounding such a development will continue," Wetere said.

Koro Wetere says furthering education is probably the most effective thing government can do for Maori.

KAUMATUA CARE GETS BUDGET BOOST

The Green Party spokesperson on elderly issues says Maori caregivers should benefit from an budget boost into the aged care sector.

The amunt the government will spend on the sector has been increased by $126 million, with half of this going to residential care services.

Metiria Turei says this should make it easier for Maori to care for relatives at home, as they prefer, rather than being forced towards rest home care.

Meteria Turei says there has been a real cry from people looking after relatives, because they have not been eligible for financial support.

MP SHOD IN TE REO

Taitokerau MP Hone Harawira says te reo Maori is finally becoming a normal part of New Zealand life.

It is now a generation since the first kohanga reo were established, and Maori immersion education has even reached into university level courses.

Mr Harawira, a second language Maori speaker, says he experienced how the language revival has succeeded when he went to buy a pair of shoes from a store in Manukau City, and was approached by a store attendant.

Harawira says the whole transaction was conducted in Maori, showing how te reo has become normalised.

Centrist policies turning off Maori

Former Labour Cabinet minister John Tamihere says Labour’s centrist policies are driving Maori voters towards the Maori party.

Mr Tamihere says the latest Budget failed to address the most pressing needs in Maori communities, the lack of fair funding for Maori-run health, education and justice programmes.

That forces Maori back to government-run programmes, which may not be effective.

Mr Tamihere says the government’s treatment of Te Wananga O Aotearoa was a big wake up call about how far Labour was really prepared to go with a by Maori-form Maori kaupapa.

John Tamihere Maori are becoming increasingly hostile to government interference in their programmes.

TE REO TAKES ON TERTIARY

A lecturer in Maori Studies at Waikato University says kohanga reo and kura kaupapa Maori language immersion education is starting to make its impact felt on the university.

Waldo Houia says tertiary students can now learn subjects in te reo Maori, that a few years ago would not have been possible.

He says the move to revitalise the reo, which kicked off 25 years ago, is producing students and lecturers who are fluent in the language, and Waikato is now able to offer specialist subjects taught in a total immersion environment.

Mr Houia says that couldn't have happened even five years ago.

WHAKATOHEA’S WEEPU TOP HALF BACK

The weekend’s 16-14 win by the Wellington Hurricanes over the New South Wales Warratahs was another chance for a young man from Whakatohea to show how good he is.

Maori sports commentator Potaka Maipi says Hurricanes halfback Piri Weepu is playing great rugby, and is a major reason the Hurricanes are in the Super 14 final against the Crusaders at Jade Stadium next weekend.

He says the Wainuiomata-raised Weepu has also won a lot of support from Maori for his public support off the field for te reo Maori and the Maori electoral option campaign.

RIVER CLAIM STILL WAITING

The Prime Minister and her entourage arrive in Ngaruawahia today for the celebrations of the 40th anniversary of the coronation of the Maori Queen, but it’s unlikely she will announce a settlement on Tanui’s Waikato River claim.

Officials from the Office of Treaty Settlements were in talks with Tainui negotiators last week, but were unable to clinch a deal.

The sticking point is the Crown’s interest in overseeing how the river’s water is used. While it is prepared to achnowledge iwi ownership of lake beds and river best, it refuses to concede ownership of water.

Waatea reporter Potaka Maipi, has been at the Koroneihana celebrations over the weekend, and says many Tainui people are anxious about the settlement package.

He says many will not accept the idea of just getting back the riverbed.

WORKING FOR FAMILIES JUST MORE WELFATE - TAU


National MP Tau Henare says the government seems determined to keep Maori dependent on the state.

Mr Henare says many Maori are getting ahead in business because they don’t want to be reliant on handouts from the government.

But he says the government’s tax structures they impose keep them on a short leash.

WHANGANUI EXHIBIT COMES DOWN
Whanganui people are this week taking down their taonga from the walls of Te Papa.

Whanganui has been the centerpiece of the museum’s Maori exhibit for the past two and a half.

Kaumatua Morvin Simon says more than a million people have seen the taonga.

He says it has given them an insight into the history of the Te Ati Hau a Papanui tribes and their relationship with the river.

He says the Whanganui people were proud to host the interactive exhibition at Te Papa.


Morvin Simon the exhibition had an especially emotional effect on people with a whakapapa connection to the area, including many who had never been to the river itself.

The next long term exhibit at Te Papa Tongarewa will feature Ngai Tahu .