“Papa Joe” Delamere dies

Whanau a Apanui and Waipareira are mourning renowned traditional healer Hohepa Delamere, who died this week at the age of 59.

Mr Delamere trained and worked as an engineer before being drawn into a family tradition of healing.

He was the subject of a 2005 Kiwa Films documentary, No Ordinary Joe.

His life was celebrated by a packed house at Hoani Waititi Marae in west Auckland last night before he was taken back to Whitianga Marae near Te Kaha today.

Hoani Waititi kaumatua Pita Sharples says Mr Delamere was an important part of the Waipareira community, contributing not just his knowledge of healing but teaching language, tikanga and other aspects of matauranga Maori or Maori knowledge.

“He was a great man and a very humble leader. Through the mirimiri with his hands, he could feel things, and was able to heal spiritually as well as physically, plus his knowledge of mamao and other ancient healing traditions and rongoa and so on, he was unique,” Sharples said.

Hohepa Delamere will lie in state at Whitianga marae until his funeral Monday.

BOOK FOR DEAF KIDS

Mike Heeney is the regional co-ordinator for the Kelston Deaf Education center, overseeing 40 resource teachers from Kaitaia to Taupo.

He says in centres like Rotorua, Whakatane and Hamilton, over 80 percent of the teachers' clients are Maori.

Mr Heeney says age old problems such as glue ear become a problem when left unchecked.

“Things such as otitis media, glue ear, things like that. There are some things that can be followed up that aren’t always followed up. There is also genetic factors, and I think numbers with hearing impairments using hearing aids would be higher than the general population, but when we look at those with less severe hearing impairment, but with educational impairment, those with glue ear, those stats are higher,” Heeney said.

He said hearing loss can be a huge barrier to learning for tamariki.

PETERS NEW PRO VICE CHANCELLOR FOR AUCKLAND

The University of Auckland has appointed veteran teacher Jim Peters to the role of Pro-Vice Chancellor Maori.

Mr Peters is also known as a former New Zealand First list MP and a long serving member of Northland Regional Council.

He says is proud to follow some of the well known Maori leaders who have contributed to the education of Maori students at Auckland University.

Mr Peters says he wants to get more Maori through to the higher levels of education.

“I would hope that a mark of my time would be a significant increase in high quality Maori students, Many Maori leave university at bachelors level, more are leaving at masters level, and some are leaving at doctorate level. Really, there’s a potential for them to go on to the very highest levels,” Peters said.

Jim Peters takes up his position as on October 1.

MARINE RESERVE NO THREAT

Ngai Te Rangi Chairman Hauata Palmer says fears that a proposed marine reserve around the northern Mr Maunganui will become an exclusive Maori fishing zone are unfounded.

The tribe's chief executive, Brian Dickson, has also tried to quell the fears to prevent a backlash from recreational anglers and the wider community.

If the reserve gets the go ahead Maori will be able to exercise management control, but Mr Palmer says nothing is likely to change for recreational fisherman.

He says that although some restrictions on shellfish will be necessary to preserve the resource, the area will be no different from any other Maori reserve:

“There were people who were saying if the foreshore and seabed were in Maori hands, then nobody else would have access. It’s the same thing here. I think it’s a little bit silly. It’s like any reserve. You look at all of the Maori reserves in existence now, there’s no restriction on access to anybody,” Palmer said.

TE REO BOOK FOR DEAF KIDS
A resource book in te reo Maori for children with hearing aids has been launched to mark Deaf Awareness Week.

Taonga Whakarongo was put together the Oticon Foundation, a charitable trust which aims to improve the lives of deaf people.

The book explains to children how they should look after their hearing aids and get the best from them.

Michael Heeney, from the Kelston Deaf Education centre, says it's a fantastic resource which will be useful not just by deaf children but by kura.

Michael Heeney says Maori children are more likely to have hearing loss than non-Maori.

MEN NOT SIGNING UP FOR TEACHING LIFE

The head of a Maori immersion teacher training school is disturbed at the shortage of Maori men wanting to become teachers.

Tawhirimatea Williams of Te Wananga o Takiura in Auckland says there is no easy solution.

Mr Williams says the money on offer may be a factor.

“Possibly one of reasons could be by the time they leave school they want to go out and earn money anyhow, and going into a tertiary institution, they’re going to be jolly poor for the next three years at least. Whereas women are quite prepared to take those consequences on board knowing something good is going to come out at the end of it,” Williams said.

National wary of foreshore repeal bill

National Party Maori Affairs spokesperson Gerry Brownlee says it's not enough to just turn the clock back on the Foreshore and Seabed Act.

The Maori Party says it has prepared a members bill to repeal the Act, and it is seeking support from other parties for its introduction.

Mr Brownlee says National has its own views on the foreshore and seabed debate, and they might not be aligned with those of the Maori Party.


”We always said that the legislation was unsettled, and that at some stage it would be back before Parliament. The difficulty we have is that there was a perceived problem with the status quo, and going back to that doesn’t help.
We’ll want to read the Maori Party bill and take a position from there,” Brownlee said.

STUDENTS NEED TO GO BACK AND LEARN MITA

A Tuhoe kaumatua who set up the first total immersion school says students of te reo should try to master the dialect of their own iwi.

Tawhiri Williams led Te Wharekura O Ruatoki in the eastern Bay of Plenty in the late 1970's.

He now oversees Te Wananga o Takiura in Auckland, which trains teachers keen to work in a reo Maori schools.

Mr Williams says while there are concerns such institutions lead to a one size fits all approach to the reo, the place to learn tribal dialects is back in the tribes.

“Ngapuhi wants to keep its dialect and Ngati Porou wants to keep its dialect. We say to our students who come from these various areas, come here, we’ll put you through the course, we’ll give you our best shot, and we’ll qualify you to a higher standard, but after that, go bvack to your people, go back and reclaim your dialect, the mita or your reo amongst your people, and you’ll have a starting point that was developed here in the wananga,” Williams said.

MUSEUM INFO BOOSTED TAONGA PRICE

The kaitiaki or gauardian of taonga at Gisborne's Tairawhiti Museum says the museum learned a valuable lesson when an artefact from the region came up for auction.

The museum is currently showing a carved sinker found at Anaura Bay early last century.

Jody Wyles says the museum had wanted to buy it when it came up for auction this year, but made the mistake of revealing its hand.

“When we were contacted by the media about this piece we made a comment, and as a result it drove the price up. So we now know for the future is any pieces like this or any taonga in particular come up for sale, no comment,” Wyles said.

Jody Wyles says the sinker was bought by the national museum Te Papa Tongarewa, which has loaned it to Tairawhiti for a short term display.


TAURA WHITI WORD MEDDLING BLASTED

The kaumatua for an Auckland-based Maori immersion teachers' training course says the Maori language commission is making te reo Maori harder to teach by making up new words.

Tawhirimatea Williams, from Te Whare Wananga O Takiura, says the commission, Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori, is confusing Maori speakers and listeners.

He says it's hard for student teachers.

“It has developed or invented new languages. It has a language for science, a language for maths, for social studies, music, a language for art and craft that align to the curriculum areas, and that’s a challenge for teachers. It’s also a challenge for people out in the community who hear this language coming through and wonder what the heck are these people talking about, where did that word come from,” Williams said.

TUAKANA PROGRAMME HELPS SCHOOL SCIENCE

Auckland University's newest professor says Maori tertiary students need to make sure there are others following in their footsteps.

Michael Walker of Te Whakatohea has been made a Professor of Biological Sciences for his research on the magnetic sense in migratory animals.
Professor Walker was also involved in the development of the university's tuakana programme in 1991, to address the historic lack of Maori studying the sciences.

He says when senior students were partnered with first years during the crucial early phase of study, Maori pass rates for foundation papers immediately doubled.

Professor Walker says the university has extended the Tuakana programme to two high schools.

“When we recognised how effectively the tuakana programme worked at the University, one of the things we then started to do was as soon as our students in first year showed they were being successful, then we wanted to start multiplying off their successes, and so we’ve been working with Tangaroa College in Otara and Tamaki College in Glen Innes, putting our first year students back in schools like those to act as tuakana in the school,” Walker said.

Michael Walker says first year students often fail not because they can't do the work but because they feel isolated.

WHATUA CULTURE CONTRIBUTION MARKED

The Minister of Maori Affairs says Ngati Whaua o Orakei enjoyed a resurgence in tikanga and culture, under the guidance of the late Sir Hugh Kawharu.

Parekura Horomia, Primie Minister Helen Clark and other government ministers and MPs attended Sir Hugh's tangi at Orakei yesterday.

Mr Horomia says there are challenges ahead for the iwi, but Sir Hugh laid a sound foundation for its future.

“He's worked hard to ensure they’re getting through their settlement, they’ve a strong commercial arm in Ngati Whatua, but most of all the resurgence and strengthening of their tikanga and culture, that as an iwi has been to the forefront that he certainly pushed, Horomia said.

The tangi for Sir Hugh Kawharu continues at Orakei today, and tomorrow he will be taken to Rewiti Marae on the Kaipara for burial.

National wary of foreshore repeal bill

National Party Maori Affairs spokesperson Gerry Brownlee says it's not enough to just turn the clock back on the Foreshore and Seabed Act.

The Maori Party says it has prepared a members bill to repeal the Act, and it is seeking support from other parties for its introduction.

Mr Brownlee says National has its own views on the foreshore and seabed debate, and they might not be aligned with those of the Maori Party.


”We always said that the legislation was unsettled, and that at some stage it would be back before Parliament. The difficulty we have is that there was a perceived problem with the status quo, and going back to that doesn’t help.
We’ll want to read the Maori Party bill and take a position from there,” Brownlee said.

STUDENTS NEED TO GO BACK AND LEARN MITA

A Tuhoe kaumatua who set up the first total immersion school says students of te reo should try to master the dialect of their own iwi.

Tawhiri Williams led Te Wharekura O Ruatoki in the eastern Bay of Plenty in the late 1970's.

He now oversees Te Wananga o Takiura in Auckland, which trains teachers keen to work in a reo Maori schools.

Mr Williams says while there are concerns such institutions lead to a one size fits all approach to the reo, the place to learn tribal dialects is back in the tribes.

“Ngapuhi wants to keep its dialect and Ngati Porou wants to keep its dialect. We say to our students who come from these various areas, come here, we’ll put you through the course, we’ll give you our best shot, and we’ll qualify you to a higher standard, but after that, go bvack to your people, go back and reclaim your dialect, the mita or your reo amongst your people, and you’ll have a starting point that was developed here in the wananga,” Williams said.

MUSEUM INFO BOOSTED TAONGA PRICE

The kaitiaki or gauardian of taonga at Gisborne's Tairawhiti Museum says the museum learned a valuable lesson when an artefact from the region came up for auction.

The museum is currently showing a carved sinker found at Anaura Bay early last century.

Jody Wyles says the museum had wanted to buy it when it came up for auction this year, but made the mistake of revealing its hand.

“When we were contacted by the media about this piece we made a comment, and as a result it drove the price up. So we now know for the future is any pieces like this or any taonga in particular come up for sale, no comment,” Wyles said.

Jody Wyles says the sinker was bought by the national museum Te Papa Tongarewa, which has loaned it to Tairawhiti for a short term display.


TAURA WHITI WORD MEDDLING BLASTED

The kaumatua for an Auckland-based Maori immersion teachers' training course says the Maori language commission is making te reo Maori harder to teach by making up new words.

Tawhirimatea Williams, from Te Whare Wananga O Takiura, says the commission, Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori, is confusing Maori speakers and listeners.

He says it's hard for student teachers.

“It has developed or invented new languages. It has a language for science, a language for maths, for social studies, music, a language for art and craft that align to the curriculum areas, and that’s a challenge for teachers. It’s also a challenge for people out in the community who hear this language coming through and wonder what the heck are these people talking about, where did that word come from,” Williams said.

TUAKANA PROGRAMME HELPS SCHOOL SCIENCE

Auckland University's newest professor says Maori tertiary students need to make sure there are others following in their footsteps.

Michael Walker of Te Whakatohea has been made a Professor of Biological Sciences for his research on the magnetic sense in migratory animals.
Professor Walker was also involved in the development of the university's tuakana programme in 1991, to address the historic lack of Maori studying the sciences.

He says when senior students were partnered with first years during the crucial early phase of study, Maori pass rates for foundation papers immediately doubled.

Professor Walker says the university has extended the Tuakana programme to two high schools.

“When we recognised how effectively the tuakana programme worked at the University, one of the things we then started to do was as soon as our students in first year showed they were being successful, then we wanted to start multiplying off their successes, and so we’ve been working with Tangaroa College in Otara and Tamaki College in Glen Innes, putting our first year students back in schools like those to act as tuakana in the school,” Walker said.

Michael Walker says first year students often fail not because they can't do the work but because they feel isolated.

WHATUA CULTURE CONTRIBUTION MARKED

The Minister of Maori Affairs says Ngati Whaua o Orakei enjoyed a resurgence in tikanga and culture, under the guidance of the late Sir Hugh Kawharu.

Parekura Horomia, Primie Minister Helen Clark and other government ministers and MPs attended Sir Hugh's tangi at Orakei yesterday.

Mr Horomia says there are challenges ahead for the iwi, but Sir Hugh laid a sound foundation for its future.

“He's worked hard to ensure they’re getting through their settlement, they’ve a strong commercial arm in Ngati Whatua, but most of all the resurgence and strengthening of their tikanga and culture, that as an iwi has been to the forefront that he certainly pushed, Horomia said.

The tangi for Sir Hugh Kawharu continues at Orakei today, and tomorrow he will be taken to Rewiti Marae on the Kaipara for burial.

Ngai Tahu makes $22.8m loss on fishing operations

Ngai Tahu managers are refusing to coment on a leaked set of draft accounts which show the South Island tribe's fishing business lost almost $23 million dollars over the past financial year.

But kaumatua Jim Te Aika from Ngati Tuahuriri's says the loss was not unexpected by tribe members concerned with the way the tribe's fishing operation was being managed.

The report blames asset write offs by Ngai Tahu Seaafoods, high fuel prices and low margins for high volume species like hoki.

Profits from tourism ventures also dropped.

Mr Te Aika says tribe members are becoming concerned their assets aren't in good hands.

“To some of us it wasn’t a shock, it was inevitable. The fishing compnay’s being run by people haven’t had any experience in fishing. We have quite a few Ngai Tahu fishermen, but they’ve been finding it very hard to get quota out of the fishing company,” Te Aika said.

Most of the quota fished by Ngai Tahu is leased from Te Ohu Kaimoana Trust, but the iwi is due to get $86 million in fisheries settlement assets before the end of the year.

HOROMIA BACKS BRASH CANCER CLAIM

The Minister of Maori Affairs is backing his leader's attack on National Party leader Don Brash.

Helen Clarke has called Mr Brash a corrosive and cancerous presence on the political scene.

Parekura Horomia says that is self evident, from the way the National leader is prepared to set sections of the community against each other.

E HINE TAKES SILVER SCROLL

For the youngest ever recipient of the APRA Silver Scroll Maioha Award it was an honour to have just been nominated let alone win.

Self-confessed Tainui born, Ngapuhi raised singer/songwriter Richard Bennett took home the Best Maori Waiata award last night for his song 'E Hine' and largely credits his success to the translations of Whirimako Black and iwi radio airplay.

Mr Bennett says to be in the presence of fellow nominees Ngatai Huata and Mahinarangi Tocker was a humbling experience.

Richard Bennett's next project will be to produce a video clip for 'E Hine'.

POLITICIANS FAREWELL FRIEND AND MENTOR

Local and central government politicians today made the trek to Orakei Marae to farewell a rangatira they worked closely with.

Sir Hugh Kawharu died on Tuesday aged 79.

Auckland mayor Dick Hubbard says he considered Sir Hugh a friend and a mentor who created strong links between the city and Ngati Whatua.

Auckland Regional Council chairperson Mike Lee says his death is a huge loss for the city.

“What impressed me about Sir Hugh was his essential rationality, his wisdom, his humanity, He was a cut above most people. He was a leader. He was a scholar. Above all he was a very honourable person. So his contribution to meetings and local government business in Auckland always added a lot of value,” Lee said.

Prime Minister Helen Clark says Sir Hugh was one of the great rangatira.

She says it was because of his negotiating skills that the Crown and Ngati Whatua were able to agree on a settlement of the iwi's Auckland land claims.

“With Sir Hugh as the chief it was possible for the Crown to negotiate in a way which met the interests of both parties, and Auckland City was tremendously supportive, and of course had the long relationship with Sit Hugh and Ngati Whatua, and that meant a settlement was achieved which has attracted no controversy whatsoever, and that should be his lasting legacy,” Clark said.

WALKER HONOURED FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

Auckland University has honoured biologist Michael Walker by making him a full professor for his research achievements.

The Whakatohea man gave his inaugural lecture today as Professor of Biological Sciences, on the magnetic sense that animals use to travel long distances.

Professor Walker says his new position should help his efforts to encourage more Maori into scientific careers.

POI E BRINGS AWARDS TO CLIMAX

The climax of last night's APRA Silver Scroll Awards held a special meaning for one of the judges of the Maori section.

Juan Aspinall, from Ngati Porou, is a nephew of the late Ngoi Pewhairangi, who co-wrote the first song in te reo Maori to top the charts.

Poi E was a 1981 hit for the Patea Maori Club under the direction of Dalvanius Prime, who died last year.

Mr Aspinall says it still has the ability to bring people to their feet - as last night's finale showed.

“On walked the whole original Patea Maori Club, and the crowd just went wild, and they were in their full piupiu and regalia and remarkably they had the video showing behind them, and each person was in the same position they were in the video. Great way to end the night,” Aspinall said.

Tribunal reserves Auckland settlement decision

The Waitangi Tribunal has reserved its decision on whether it should inquire into the way the Crown agreed to settle Ngati Whatua o Orakei's claims to central Auckland.

At a judicial hearing this week, Judge Carrie Wainwright heard from lawyers representing Hauraki, Ngai Tai, Te Taou (Tow-ooh) and other iwi who say their interests in Tamaki Makaurau have been ignored.

Te Taou spokesperson Lou Paul says Ngati Whatua o Orakei claims te Taou as a hapu, but many of its members do not qualify for the Auckland settlement, which is restricted to descendants of Tuperiri.

Mr Paul says the Crown wants to settle without a proper historical investigation, and the result could be the settlement going to one family.

The Waitangi Tribunal has given claimants until October the ninth to file any further submissions, and it hopes to release its decision before the end of the year.

KUIA WANTS WAKE UP FOR YOUNG THUGS

A prominent South Auckland Maori leader says the community must face issues of street violence head on.

Manukau Urban Maori Authority head June Jackson says another death in the area over the weekend, is a call to the community to stop talking, and do something about the problem.


She says one approach could be to show young offenders and those likely to offend, what it is like in prison.
Mrs Jackson says it would be a wake up call for many.

BLACK SEEKS SOUL REO

Tuhoe songstress Whirimako Black says her recent foray into jazz has been an eye opener.

Her new album Soul Sessions features her Maori language interpretations versions of 11 jazz and blues standards, including Peggy Lee's Black Coffee and the Gershwin classic Summertime.

Ms Black says she hopes it will hook many Pakeha into te reo Maori.

TE RAU MATATINI POLLING MAORI WORKFORCE

Te Rau Matatini, a body set up to develop the Maori health workforce, is asking Maori to say which areas most need workers.

Adviser Megan Tunks says the survey will help the Palmerston North-based organisation develop a national Maori public health workforce framework.

Ms Tunks says Te Rau Matatini knows how to upskill Maori health workers, but Maori interests are always competing with other priorities in the health sector.

Andrea Tunks says Te Rau Matatini will hold a series of regional hui over the next week to hear from Maori in the public health sector.

T WANTS ZEELAND OUT

Veteran activist Titewhai Harawira says residents of Zeeland in the Netherlands might support calls for New Zealand to change its name.

Wellington man George Holmes has asked the Geographic Board to change this country's name to Aotearoa.

Mrs Harawira visited Holland in 1990 and met Zeeland civic leaders to explain why Maori felt the name didn't belong to them.

She says she asked them to take back the name.

Titewhai Harawira says it's time this country's name reflects the people who live here, and not one chosen 360 years ago by a Dutch explorer.

LOVE SPURNING TACKY TIKI

The inspiration for one of Aotearoa's premiere Maori clothing labels was a desire to wear something that wasn't tacky tourist fashion.

Charmaine Love's new collection will be on display this afternoon as part of the on the New Zealand Fashion Week Verge Breakthrough show.

Ms Love says people were looking for quality Maori flavoured clothes.

Charmaine Love's line-up hits the catwalk at Auckland's Viaduct basin at two this afternoon.

Hohepa says Kawharu gave back to community

A Ngapuhi academic says Ngati Whatua chief Sir Hugh Kawharu will be remembered for what he gave back to the community.
Sir Hugh died away yesterday after a long illness, and tribes are making their way to Orakei Marae to pay tribute.

Patu Hohepa, who worked with Sir Hugh at Auckland University, says he was one of the few academics to be actively involved in the leadership of his iwi after many years of academic pursuit.

Dr Hohepa says his tireless efforts to support and guide his iwi won't be forgotten:

“One of the things that has occurred is that there have been a lot of Maori getting through university, but most of them have not turned back to work in the communities and become figureheads as well as chair as well as run treaty claims and marae, and this is one of the things the his life will show us. He did everything,” Hohepa said.

MAORI PARTY UNVEILS FORESHORE REPEAL BILL

To Parliament now where the Maori Party are wrapping up celebrations for the first year as a team of four in the House.

The Party was presented with a giant fish hook, and it also unveiled its first bill, the foreshore and seabed repeal Bill.

The largely anticipated private members bill which seeks to overturn the foreshore and seabed legislation has yet to be submItted to the table office, and until the Maori Party has canvassed the bill’s detail with other parties, they’re refusing to make the bill’s content public.

The bill will need the support of the National Party, ACT, the Greens and United Future to reach select committee stage, which would be an achievement in itself.

The Bill will be lodged in Tariana Turia’s name, the first Maori Party MP in Parliament who crossed the floor in Parliament against the Foreshore and Seabed Act.

PHO’S LOOK TO SHARE COSTS

The Health Ministry's chief Maori advisor says Maori Primary Health Organisations are looking for ways to work together to cut down their costs.

The Ministry is developing a business case for a shared management service for seven PHOs stretching from Auckland to Gisborne.

Wi Keelan says any service will need to take account of the cultural differences between Maori PHOs and mainstream health organisations.

“They work under Maori kaupapa with a Maori organisation in governance such as iwi, but basically they are new primary health services that work under a Maori kaupapa. In this particular instance there are seven of them that have come together to develop a shared management service,” Keelan said.

Wi Keelan says because many of the Maori PHO's are smaller than their mainstream equivalents, they struggle to keep management costs down.

TRUST NO ONE SAYS HARAWIRA

Taitokerau MP Hone Harawira says the highlight of his first year as an MP was that the first words spoken in this Parliament were in Maori.

The Maori Party celebrated one year in Parliament today.

Mr Harawira says the party's MPs have spoken 130 times on bills, giving a Maori perspective to the issues tabled.
He says in contrast the Minister of Maori Affairs, has only spoken on three bills.

He says the year has taught him a valuable lesson.

"Don't trust any bugger. You’d like to think you could trust your whanaunga who work in different parties, and that’s not necessarily the case, unfortunately, so it’s been good for us as an independent, because we have supported proposals which are supportive of Maori and the working class as well,” Harawira said.

TE HETERI FOCUSES ON TONGA

The funeral yesterday of the King of Tonga has made many people aware of the historic links between Maori and Tongan people.

Maori Television's weekly current affairs programme, Te Heteri, will look at those links and pay tribute to the late Tongan King.

Producer Wena Harawira will speak to Tongan Prime Minister Feleti Sevele on the issues facing the Tonga and what follows the death of its leader.

Ms Harawira says the links between Maori and Tongan people could be a lesson to other Pacific nations.

She says the programme features an interview with Tongan Prime Minister Dr Fred Savele, and also looks at business links between Maori and Tonga.

FESTIVAL CELEBRATES MAORI WRITING

A four day celebration of Maori writing kicked off in Wellington today.

The fifth annual Maori Writers Festival at the Mercure Hotel is a joint venture between Creative New Zealand, Huia Publishers and the Maori Literature Trust.

Participant Hinemoana Baker, a writer and poet of Ngai Tahu, Ngati Raukawa and German extraction, says this year's theme is love and romance.

She says it's also a chance for Maori writers to support each other.

”This is purely a celebration of Maori writing across the country, There will be emerging writers, and also people like Patricia Grace, who is our star really. So whatever questions or queries or kinds of curiosity you have about writing, the writing world or Maori writing, the next four days in Wellington is the place to bring them,” Baker said.

Hinemoana Baker says the festival also includes contributions from actors and musicians and MPs including Cliff Curtis, Georgina Beyer, Mika and Fat Freddy's Drop.

Maori health orgs team up for back end services

The Ministry of Health is encouraging Maori Primary Health Organisations to cut costs by sharing administration services.
Chief Maori advisor Wi Keelan says Maori PHOs have raised concerns that high management costs are affecting their ability to implement the government's primary health care strategy.

Mr Keelan says a feasibility study last year showed Maori PHOs could work together effectively with the support of the district health boards.

He says the ministry is now working with seven Maori PHO from Auckland to Tairawhiti to develop a shared service.

“They've largely been operating by themselves and they’ve found it difficult to provide the range of management services because they are a lot smaller than some of the mainstream organisations. That’s the reason they’re getting together to form this larger shared management service,” Keelan said.

Wi Keelan says the ministry is tendering for someone to prepare a business case showing whether it is best to share services through a central agency or a dispersed network.

WARDENS WANT CHANCE TO FIX PROBLEMS

The long serving president of the national Maori Wardens Association says wardens could do more to address the problems facing many Maori families if they were given the chance.

Peter Walden says the wardens need more funding and operational autonomy from the Maori Council, which is technically responsible for their activities.

He says that would allow Maori wardens to form closer relationships with at-risk whanau and to intervene earlier.
Mr Walden says they could also play a bigger role in tacking the rising amount of street violence.

“Eminent Maori have said there is a pot coming to the boil in regards to the social inequalities our people have been dealt with over the years, and in our case we feel with recruitment that we can bring enormous stability to the social scene,” Walden said.

Peter Walden says the wardens are seeing to have their training courses approved by the Qualifications Authority, as a way of ensuring standards are maintained and giving wardens some credit for their mahi.

NO CHEERS FOR MAORI PARTY

The Maori Party celebrates its first year in parliament this week, but don't expect celebrations from Government.

Labour is still trying to work out how it can win back the four Maori seats lost last election, and it has highlighted any moves the Maori Party has made to work with National.

Prime Minister Helen Clark says the party came into the House in a blaze of publicity, but seems to have quietened down.

“Politics is long haul, and I did feel they formed around one issue and it’s a bit hard to sustain that. We continue to have quiet dialogue and discussion with individual MPs in the Maori Party and do our best to maintain cordial relations, if I could put it that way,” Clark said.

ORAKEI READIES FOR KAWHARU

Hundreds of mourners are expected today Orakei Marae in Auckland for the tangi of the paramount chief of Ngati Whatua, Sir Hugh Kawharu.

Sir Hugh died yesterday surrounded by his family. He was 79.

Marquees have been erected on Takaparawha to cope with the mourners, and the army is assisting with catering.

Ranginui Walker, who worked with Sir Hugh at Auckland University's school of Maori studies, says Sir Hugh played a major role in securing the return of the marae to Ngati Whatua.

Dr Walker says Joe Hawke brought the issue of Ngati Whatua's landlessness to wider public attention through his occupation of Bastion Point, but it was Sir Hugh's knowledge and skills which won a settlement.

“It was really Hugh who could provide the historic background to that claim, because of his intensive research into Maori land tenure at Orakei and government dealings with Orakei lands. You know he characterised the colonial governments as none of them coming away with clain hands after their attempts to expel Ngati Whatua and take over the lands there,” Walker said.

MENTAL HEALTH STUDY FINDS MAORI UNTREATED

A massive study of mental health in this country has found Maori are less likely to seek out mental health services, despite the fact they are the most likely to suffer incidents of mental ill health.

The survey, Te Rau Hinengaro, found one in three Maori are affected by a mental health disorder in any 12 month period, compared with one in five non-Maori.

Psychiatrist Reese Tapsell, who was involved in the research, says the most common disorders among Maori were anxiety, mood disorders and problems caused by substance use.

“We suffer higher rates of mental disorder. That mental disorder is more likely to be moderately severe or severe. So it is actually very important to take a slightly different view of the way we provide services for Maori,” Tapsell said.

Reese Tapsell says government, district health boards and the wider community need to give priority to addressing Maori health needs.

TORERE NUTS GOOD BUSINESS FOR MAORI

A Maori woman who runs an Eastern Bay of Plenty orchard, sees huge potential for Maori interested in growing macadamias.

Vanessa Hayes from Torere Macadamias says New Zealand doesn't grow enough macadamias so has to import the majority of its nuts from Australia.

Ms Hayes says Macadamia growers can also get around the labour shortages which affect the horticulture sector by choosing varieties which fall off the tree when ripe.

Vanessa Hayes says Torere Macadamias expects to eventually have 10 thousand trees planted on its Torere block, and it also propagates and distributes 20 thousand plants a year from its nursery.

Ngati Whatua chief Sir Hugh Kawharu dies

Ngati Whatua o Orakei is mourning the loss of Sir Hugh Kawharu, who died this afternoon after a short illness at the age of 79.

Sir Hugh has led the Auckland tribe's trust board since its inception in 1978.

He was educated at Auckland Grammar and Auckland University, writing a thesis on the Maori community in Orakei, before heading off to England for post graduate study at Cambridge and Oxford.

In 1970 Sir Hugh became foundation Professor of Social Anthropology and Maori Studies at Massey University.

He was professor of Maori Studies at Auckland University from 1985 until his retirement in 1993, and was a member of the Waitangi Tribunal from 1986 until 1996.

Sir Hugh was knighted in 1989 and made a member of the Order of New Zealand in 2002.

His tangi will be held at Orakei marae over the next three days before he is taken to Reweti Marae on the Kaipara for burial.

WHANGAMATA MARINA TRAMPLES ON MARUTUAHU MANA

Marutuahu spokesperson Korohere Ngaapo says the mana of the Hauraki tribes has been trampled by a High Court decision overturning Conservation Minister Chris Carter's veto of the Whangamata Marina.

The decision means Mr Carter must now take another look at an Environment Court decision in favour of the 200 berth marina.

It means the Crown may have to pay the court costs of the Whangamata Marina Society, which has spent 14 years pushing for the project.

Mr Ngaapo says it's another victory for the dollar:

IN: It's disappointing to know that a group of wealthy Pakeha people can go to the courts and lobby for this decision to be overturned. It’s just another breach of treaty rights and yeah, it’s quite disappointing,” Ngaapo said.

PM ON HEALTH FORUM

The Prime Minister says Maori have much to contribute to an international health forum being held in Auckland.
Helen Clarke says delegates at the World Health Organisation's Western Regional Health Conference appreciated a Maori welcome yesterday.

She says obesity and heart disease are common among the indigenous communities of the region, and delegates can learn from Maori initiatives to address the high rates of smoking among its people.

WALKER REMEMBERS KAWHARU CONTRIBUTION

Friends and colleagues are paying tribute to Ngati Whatua chief Sir Hugh Kawharu, who died today in Auckland in his 79th year.

Ranginui Walker, who taught with Sir Hugh at Auckland University's Maori studies department, says Sir Hugh will be remembered by the public for his dignified contributions to major events such as the 1990 Commonwealth Games opening and the America's Cup ceremonies.

Dr Walker says Sir Hugh ensured Ngati Whatua has a significance presence in the life of Auckland.

IN: During a time when Maori Pakeha relations were quite volatile through the 70s, Hugh was always a steadying influence on the national scene between Maori and Pakeha. He was unthreatening because he relied on scholarship rather than rhetoric in his dealings with the Crown,” Walker said.

Sir Hugh Kawharu will lie in state at Orakei marae for the next three days.

MAORI MENTAL HEALTH CONCERN

A Maori mental health specialist says priority needs to be given to establishing more high quality kaupapa Maori mental health services.

Dr Reese Tapsell was part of the team involved in Te Rau Hinengaro, a survey of New Zealand's mental health launched today by Health Minister Pete Hodgson.

The survey shows one in three Maori are likely to suffer some mental disorder in any year, compared with one in five non-Maori.

Dr Tapsell says that Maori are also the least likely to tap into mental health services.

“We should continue to look at ways of making our services more accessible to Maori. Firstly, our mainstream services, because of course that’s where most Maori end up, but also at the same time the development of quality kaupapa Maori services, so those are services provided by Maori for Maori,” Tapsell said.

ANGLICANS APOLOGISE TO TUHOE

Former Anglican Archbishop Whakahuihui Vercoe has welcomed the church's apology for helping suppress Tuhoe prophet Rua Kenana.

The church supported the 1907 Tohunga Suppression Act, which contributed to the arrest and imprisonment of Rua Kenana in 1915.

Archbishop Vercoe says the pilgrimage of an Anglican delegation led by Archbishop Brown Turei to Maungapohatu was a step toward healing the rift between the Anglican Church and Tuhoe.

“It's a recognition of the way in which the church has treated Tuhoe and I think the church has to go there, to Tuhoe, and listen to what the Tuhoe people hjave to say with regard to that apology for the way in which they treated Rua Kenana,” Vercoe said.

The Church plans to support the rebuilding of Maungapohatu Marae and offer scholarships to Hukarere and Te Aute colleges for Tuhoe children.

Up to 100 jobs on Carbon Coast

A new forestry venture which takes advantage of new rules over carbon credits will generate about 100 new jobs for Maori on the East Coast.

Ngati Porou Whanau Forests chief executive Chris Insley says planting should start early next year.

The new forests are treated as carbon sinks, and growers can sell the carbon credits. The forests can't be clear-felled, but some logs can be selectively harvested.

Mr Insley says Maori landowners are keen to participate.

“We are looking to start our project here on the coast as early as next year with around 3000 hectares of land that we’re targeting for development, and we’ve already had a lot of interest from our landowners. That means next year we’re going to have to find 100 people for jobs here on the coast,” Insley said.

Chris Insley says Ngati Porou Whanau Forests is researching the best types of trees to grow, and that could include native species.


MAORI LOVE AT FASHION WEEK
New Zealand fashion Week is being given a uniquely Maori flavour with the addition of a new range by 
designer Chairmaine Love.

Love, who broke through two years ago when she won the Westfield Style Pasifika Fashion Award, designs under both the Charmaine Love and Kia Kaha labels, as well as cutting the patterns for Michael Campbell's Cambogolf line.

Her garments have covered the likes of Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas, Jack Black, Robbie Williiams and Ben Harper.

On Thursday Dancing With The Stars champion Norm Hewitt and Fear Factor champion Mark Hewlett will model Love's new Heartland winter collection, which has been picked up for distribution in the United States.

VIRTUAL ROCK ART FOR TIMARU

Plans to build a virtual Maori rock art centre in Timaru are gaining momentum.
South Canterbury has an extensive collection of rock art sites, but many are on private land which is inaccessible for most visitors.

Amanda Symon, the curator for the Ngai Tahu Maori Rock Art Trust, says the proposed centre will be a world class tourist attraction.

She says many visitors want to see the art, but they don't have the time to explore the remote sites.

“It's a means 
of giving those people a virtual rock art experience in the middle of Timaru without necessarily visiting the sites and damaging them,” Symon said.


Amanda Symon says the rock art offers a window into the lives of the South island's earliest settlers.

BLACK FERNS MAKE IT THREE IN A ROW

Call them mamaku.

That's Maori for black fern, and almost half of the Black Ferns women's rugby team which won its third consecutive World Cup win against England this weekend were Maori.

Black Fern Waimania Teddy from Tuhoe and Whanau-a-Apanui says this years build up to the final had a strong maori focuss and part of what has bought them their success...

“Obviously our haka. We also have action songs, so we definitely feel at home, and we know that representing my people back home and also my whanau means everything,” Teddy said.

IWI ENCOURAGED TO SEEK FISH MANDATE FIRST

The body distributing Maori fisheries assets is encouraging remaining iwi to go through the mandating process so they can collect their share of the settlement.

Te Ohu Kaimoana Trust has mandated another eight iwi, including Te Arawa, Tuhoe and two of the Taranaki tribes.

This brings to 34 the number of mandated iwi organisations, with 22 iwi still to go through the process.

Te Ohu Kaimoana chief executive Peter Douglas says 60 percent of the settlement assets have now been allocated.

He says some iwi have mistakenly held back from setting up a mandated body because of concern it could conflict with work they are doing settling their land claims.

“If anything it’s going to be helpful to that process. It’s not going to put anyone at a disadvantage. The way the legislation is drawn up is that agreements reached in the fisheries area are for fisheries alone, and I want to encourage people to take what is available through our process and take what they are entitled to under the transfer process,” Douglas said.

Peter Douglas says the next step for mandated iwi is to reach agreement with their neighbours on how to divide up the coastline part of the settlement assets.

SOUTHERN ARCHAEOLOGY CELEBRATED

Many North Island Maori assume because there are fewer Maori in the South Island as a percentage of the total population, that there was never a large Maori presence there.

But archaeologist Amanda Symon, the curator of the Maori Rock Art Trust in Timaru, says there is extensive evidence Maori travelled widely in search of the south's resources.

“The South Island was used extensively by Maori. North Island history and prehistory is much more well known than the southern prehistory, but that’s definitely changing. More research is now being done into the area than there was before,” Symon said.

Amanda Symon says much of the occupation was seasonal, and there is still much to be learnt about how Maori coped with the severe winter weather of the South Canterbury and North Otago.

BLACK FERNS MAKE WORLD FIFTEEN

The strength of Maori women's rugby has been recognised with three of the seven Maori Black Ferns picked for a World women's rugby team.

Black Fern Waimania Teddy says she is proud of her fellow Maori teammates who were selected shortly after tNew Zealand beat England 25 - 17 in Edmonton, Canada to win the 2006 Woman's Rugby World Cup.

Teddy says the three come from strong Maori backgrounds and will do Maoridom proud.

Four of our girls made the world 15. There were three Maori girls. Hiriana Manuel. She definitely played well today. Exia Edwards. She’s from Opotiki. Amiria Marshall is in there too,” Teddy said.

Eight more iwi to get fish assets

Te Ohu Kaimoana Trust has confirmed another eight iwi are ready to receive their share of Maori fisheries settlement assets.

About $60 million in shares, cash and deepwater quota will be handed over initially, based on iwi population.

Some $23 million will go to Te Arawa, $17 million to neighbours Tuhoe, $8 million to the Taranaki branch of Te Atiawa and $3.5 million to Taranaki itself.

Ngati Raukawa ki Waikato will get $5 million in assets, and Ngati Pukenga and Ngaitai from the Bay of Plenty and Nelson-based Ngati Tama will get smaller sums.

Te Ohu Kaimoana chief executive Peter Douglas says as assets are transferred, the trust's role will change.

“The things that we’re going to focus our attention on in the next few month, the next few years, is making sure the assets we are transferring are as valuable as they might be, so we’re going to play a greater role in the fisheries management regimes that exist in the country,” Douglas said.

Peter Douglas says 60 percent of the fisheries settlement assets have now been allocated to 34 iwi, and the trust is confident the remaining 22 iwi can complete the mandating process by April 2007.

DAME TE ATA SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Waikato University students Richard Webber and Shannan Mills and this year's winners of the Environment Waikato has Dame Te Atairangikaahu Scholarships.

The scholarships are awarded to Maori students undertaking resource management degreess at the university.

Ms Mills, from Te Whanau-a-Apanui, is in her fourth year of a double degree in science and law.

Mr Webber, from Ngati Kahungunu, is doing a Bachelor of Social Science degree majoring in geography and Maori.

He says he wants to use his studies to help other Maori.

The students each win $2000 and are offered the opportunity to work at Environment Waikato during the summer break.

ZEALAND PAST ITS USE BY DATE

Maori Language Commission chief executive Haami Piripi is supporting a call to rename the country Aotearoa.

Wellington toponymic George Holmes argues the name New Zealand, conferred by Dutch explorer Abel Tasman 360 years ago has passed its use by date.

Mr Piripi says a Maori name would be a unifying force for this country:

“The term Aotearoa is an ancient term of course, arrived with Kupe, so it has huge credibility as a term of usage in Aotearoa since about 600 AD, so even in terms of usage and historical association, the term Aotearoa far outstrips the term New Zealand,” Piripi said.

TUHOE TAIHOA CALL REJECTED

Te Ohu Kaimoana Trust has rejected a call from a Tuhoe group to withhold Maori fisheries settlement assets from the Bay of Plenty tribe until it can resolve internal divisions.

Te Ohu Kaimoana has confirmed the Tuhoe Fisheries Charitable Trust has the mandate to receive $17 million in quota, cash and shares on behalf of the iwi.

Chief executive Peter Douglas says Te Kotahi a Tuhoe, which opposes the handover, was unable to win enough support to derail the deal.

He says the charitable trust won its mandating ballot by 87 percent.

“We're required when an iwi organisation has all the information, and provides the evidence of that information, that they are ready to be mandated as the iwi organisation for that tribe, to take them seriously and fulfill the requirements of our act. Now the Tuhoe Fisheries Charitable Trust had completed all that was required of them. It would be remiss of us if we were to ignore that,” Douglas said.


Peter Douglas says 60 percent of the commission's assets have now been allocated to 34 mandated iwi organisations.

STORM WARNING FROM SUMMER SALMON

A Waikato University masters student says a warning system which predict the effects of coastal storms could help Maori involved in environmental and heritage management.

Summer Salmon from Ngati Paoa and Ngati Raukawa has received a $10,000 a year Te Tipu Putaiao Fellowship from the Foundation for Research Science and Technology to develop a mathematical model of storm damage.

Ms Salmon says she is working with the National Institute for Water and Atmosphere on making her work accessible.

“NIWA is working with me as well and they are hoping to put up a website where not only scientists but hopefully the general public will be able to access so they’ll be able to see what is coming they’ll be able to forecast whether there is going to be any storm events occurring,” Summer said.



Summer Salmon says knowing the likely effects of storms could help iwi protect coastal wahi tapu or important kaimoana grounds.

BARTERCARD CUP FINAL

It's not often the final of a national sporting championship is played on a Monday Night, but that's what's happening tonight in Auckland.

The Canterbury Bulls will take on the Auckland Lions at Mount Smart Stadium to determine who takes home the Bartercard Cup, Rugby League's premier domestic competition.

It's played on a Monday night because that's when Maori Televison has broadcast a live game every week for the past six months.

Executive producer for sport Baily Mackie says it's part of a plan to build a wider audience for the Maori channel, and league was an ideal match.

Baily Macky says Maori Television has also secured the replay rights for the Tri Nations series starting early next month.

Te Arawa restructures for future

Te Arawa leaders will reach out to members to set up the structures which will manage the tribe's affairs now the claim to the Rotorua lakes is settled.

The Te Arawa Lakes Settlement Act passed by Parliament last week gives Te Arawa title to the beds of 13 central North Island lakes, and encourages the Rotorua District Council to consider handing over a 14th, Lake Okaro.

Te Arawa Maori Trust Board chairperson Andrew Rangiheua says the trust board will be replaced by the Te Arawa Lakes trust.

He says the boards assets will be shifted to the new body, along with the $10 million in compensation from the settlement.

Mr Rangiheuea says iwi members need to participate in the new structure.

Andrew Rangiheua says while board members were elated with the settlement, there were also tears for those Te Arawa who fought for the settlement but did not live to see it.

FINANCE RISK FOR BENEFICIARIES

As finance companies get into trouble because of used car loans turning sour, a south Auckland budget advisor says many Maori and Polynesian clients they lend to couldn’t afford the money under any circumstances.

Thomas Henry from the Otahuhu Budgeting service, says many low income families buy cars, underestimating the consequences if they are unable to meet the payments.

He says people on benefits shouldn't borrow money.

Thomas Henry says some beneficiaries wrongly believe government departments can help if loan repayments are missed.

MUNRO0 TAKES ON NEW POLICE ROLE

The man responsible for making the police more responsive to Maori concerns takes on a new role today as Wellington District commander.

Superintendent Pieri Munro of Ngati Maniapoto has been general manager of Maori, Pacific and ethnic affairs at Police national headquarters for the past 12 years.

He says he competed for what is one of the top operational roles in the police force because of the particular challenges of the capital posting.

Pieri Munro takes control over almost 1000 police staff in his district.

Another high profile Maori police officer, Northland district commander Viv Rickard, is shifting to head up the North Shore, Waitakere and Rodney district.

SHARPLES LOOKING FOR ISLAND PARTY

The co-leader of the Maori Party says it is inevitable Pacific Islanders will flex their political muscle in New Zealand through their own party.

Pita Sharples says while the Maori Party has a policy of inclusiveness, and welcomes members from all cultures, Pacific Islanders will eventually want a vehicle to further their political agenda.

Dr Sharples is representing the party at the funeral of the Tongan King this week.

He says It makes sense for Maori and other Polynesian peoples to work together on issues of mutual concern, but that requires relationship building.

NUTRITION NEGLECTED IN PREGNANCY


Expectant Maori mothers are being told they need to eat the right foods during pregnancy, to lessen the chances of their babies contracting chronic illnesses later.

Auckland University of Technology professor of nutrition Elaine Rush, says a poor diet during gestation increases the risk in a number of ways.

Elaine Rush says socio economic factors can affect whether nutritional needs are met, but they can be overcome if expectant mothers have access to good information.

GARRETT ACES MAORI TENNIS BOOK

A leading Maori sports administrator says researching a new book into the history of Maori tennis has been a unique experience.

Dick Garret from Tuhoe, says the book, to be released later this year, marks the 80th anniversary of the Maori lawn Tennis Association.

He says stories from early last century of East Coast shepherds coming out of the bush to play on courts owned by pakeha farmers, are reminders of the humble beginnings of Maori association with the code.

Mr Garret also runs the annual Maori sports awards, a role he has assumed since the death of the awards founder, Albie Prior.