Foreshore bill faces rocky passage

The president of the Maori Party says he expects it will be a struggle to get the party's Seabed and Foreshore Act Repeal Bill past its first reading.

The bill was drawn out tf the ballot yesterday, the first draw since it was put in, and it is likely to come before Parliament on the next members' day on October the 25th.

Professor Whatarangi Winiata says the Maori Party now needs to step up its consultation with other parties.

He says the party can't take anyone's support for granted, but there are principles at stake which should win support across party lines.

“The position of Maori on property rights has become clearer to other members of Parliament, certainly the National Party and others, including the Greens, see the merit in the Maori position,” Winiata said.

TRIBUNAL BILL “WILL PRESERVE INTEGITY”

NZ First MP Pita Paraone claims his Treaty of Waitangi Amendment Bill will preserve the integrity of both the Maori Land Court and the Waitangi Tribunal.
The bill, which came out of the ballot yesterday, will bar High Court and Maori Land Court judges from serving on the tribunal.

Mr Paraone says it will address the possibility of bias or interference in the current system.

“The concern is that if there is a decision that is made in the Maori Land Court, the possibilities could lead to an eventual claim to the Waitangi Tribunal, and so we just want to endure that the integrity of the court and of both jurisdictions, that is the Waitangi Tribunal and the Maori Land Court, are maintained,” Paraone said.

Auckland University associate law professor David Williams says the use of judges to run commissions of inquiry is a well established tradition, and the quality of Waitangi Tribunal reports could suffer if some of the best available experts in Maori law and history are barred from serving.

AUCKLAND SECONDARY SCHOOLS KAPA HAKA

Manurewa Marae will this weekend resound to the sounds of haka and waiata as Auckland secondary schools compete for the top kapa haka title.

Organiser Elanor Biddle from Te Wharekura o Manurewa says the theme of this year's Te Ahurea Tino Rangatiratanga competitons is Te Whakapaapaatanga o Nga Maunga, the stories of the mountains.

Ms Biddle says the schools have a lot to choose from.

“Tamaki Makaurau with its unique and dynamic landscape is home to many maunga, and the theme for this year’s event if for our rangatahi to research and understand the history of the area and their relationship to the geography of Tamaki Makaurau,” Biddle says.

The competition feature top judges such as Tawhirimatea and Kaa Williams and Taiaha Hawke.

NATIONAL SUPPORT FOR TURIA BILL UNLIKELY

Nationals' Maori Affairs spokesperson says while his party is unlikely to support the Maori Party's bill to overturn the Foreshore and Seabed Act, it is willing to have a close look at what is on offer.

The members bill in the name of Te Tai Hauauru MP Tariana Turia came out of the ballot yesterday, and could be put before Parliament as early as Wednesday week.

Gerry Brownlee says National also wants the act overturned, but for different reasons to the Maori Party.
He says support would depend on how the bill advances National's argument.

“One of the interesting things for us is that it appears that the Maori Party bill may confirm that the vast majority of the foreshore and seabed around this country is in Crown ownership. We have always said this is unsettled law. I don’t know of any New Zealander who doesn’t have a very strong affinity and love for the coastline of this country, and we want to see that protected and enhanced,” Brownlee said.

BACK PAY FROM BRITAIN SOUGHT

A descendant of Hone Heke's eldest brother says he wants backpay from Britain.

David Rankin from Te Matarahurahu hapu of Ngapuhi says the third article of the Treaty of Waitangi, which was signed by his tipuna, guarantees Maori the rights and privileges of British subjects.

Mr Rankin says that should mean British retirement pensions and other entitlements.

“I want backpay. I want it all to be backpaid for our parents, or grandparents, our great grandparents,and our great great grandparents who were all alive after the signing of the treaty. This is what Heke fought for,” Rankin said.

David Rankin says he'll be filing the claim with the Waitangi Tribunal on behalf of Te Matarahurahu.

Mr Rankin's claim is not part of an umbrella Ngapuhi claim, which is currently being worked into shape by a Ngapuhi working party.

FUTURE OF SCHOOLS DECENTRALISED

One of the contributors to a report on what schools may look like in future says new technologies and a decentralised learning environment may help Maori students increase their education achievements.

John Langley, the Dean of Education at Auckland University, says the Secondary Futures, Students First report predicts schools may specialise in different curriculum areas, and students may take different subjects at different schools.

Doctor Langley says educators need to be more open to different ways and places that learning happens.

“Learning doesn't just take place in schools. It certainly doesn’t just take place in one school. If you look into the future and you look at the growth technology has had, it provides huge opportunities for all people in all different sectors of society to access learning, information, knowledge in ways they haven't before,” Langley said.

John Langley says increasing use of technology to deliver course material should help mean Maori and Pacific Island students in living in poorer communities can get the same access to course material as those in more elite schools.

Waitangi bill would cripple tribunal

A long serving former member of the Waitangi Tribunal says New Zealand First's plan to exclude serving judges from the tribunal would damage its ability to deliver authorative reports of Maori treaty claims.

The Treaty of Waitangi (Removal of Conflict of Interest) Amendment Bill was drawn out of the ballot yesterday and will go before Parliament soon.

New Zealand First MP Pita Paraone says by stopping Maori Land Court or High Court judges from serving on the tribunal, it will remove any suspicion of bias or conflict of interest.

But Victoria University emeritus law professor Gordon Orr, who served on the Tribunal for more than a decade and wrote a book about its operations, says bias has never been an issue for the Tribunal.

Professor Orr says a lot of the tribunal's work involves working through old land court records, and the specialist skills developed by land court judges has proved invaluable.

“It would exclude people who are extremely well qualified to be a member and can make a valuable contribution, and who have of course right from the original appointment of Chief Judge Durie,” Orr said.

Gordon Orr says the existence of the Waitangi Tribunal has resulted in major progress in settling Maori grievances.

HUI SETS EDUCATION PRIORITIES

Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia says recruitment and retention of Maori teachers, and a new Maori curriculum are high priorities for the government.

Mr Horomia and Education Minister Steve Maharey attended last weekend's fifth Hui Taumata Matauranga Maori education summit hosted by Ngati Tuwharetoa in Taupo.

He says many of the issues raised are already in hand.

“Both myself and the Minister of Education Steve Maharey have given commitments to ensuring that we have a full Maori curriculum our by next June, that we look seriously at teacher supply, it’s no good having a strong Maori language strategy or science employment area where there is a lot of opportunities for our people and we haven’t got the teachers,” Horomia said.

Parekura Horomia says while many Maori students are keen to strengthen their understanding of te reo me ona tikanga, they also need help in subjects like science and technology where there are likely to be increased work opportunities over the next decade.

POWERLIFTER HAPPY WITH SECOND PLACING

No time to rest for a Ngapuhi powerlifter just back from the world championships in the United States.

Auckland-based Willie Tau won the world title in India two years ago, but this year had to settle for second place in the super heavyweight division.

Mr Tau says but he's satisfied with that performance, coming as it did after an eleven month layoff due to injury.

He was proud of the efforts by the three kiwis at the champs, and especially the back to back win for Ngati Kahungunu lifter, Maria Brightwater Wharf in the under 60m kilo class.

Mr Tau says he is getting ready for the North Island championships next month, before defending his Oceania title in Townsville, Australia in December.

Then there will be a chance to rest before next year's world powerlifting championships, in Prague.

WAIPAREIRA WANTING TO KEEP KIDS FROM JAIL

A West Auckland Maori trust says it's time to take control of the Maori community back from the criminal justice system.

Te Whanau o Waipareira executive director John Tamihere says too many young Maori are getting into trouble with the law, because of systemic failures of government systems.

Mr Tamihere says Waipareira is setting up a rapid response team to identify children who are going off the rails and work with their families to address their social and learning problems.

“The key performance indicators will be a drop in family violence, a lift in our literacy numeracy capacituyes in Maori children and a drop in youth offending so we do not have them going from youth justice facilities to Mount Eden and Paremoremo or Ngawha and Waikato new prisons,” Tamihere said.

NGAPUHI CLAIM GROUP TO TAKE CHOICE TO IWI

The Ngapuhi treaty claims design group is planning a series of hui to get directions from tribal members as to whether the tribe should proceed with Waitangi Tribunal hearings or negotiate directly with the Crown.

Project manager Sonny Tau, the chairperson of the Ngaphui Runanga, says substantial progress has been made on how the claims should be structured.

He says as well as claims over land and water, the iwi also has concerned the Maori version of the Treaty of Waitangi has not been given sufficient weight.

Mr Tau says Ngapuhi is taking a different approach because it's keen to retain control of the claim process.

“It has been seen in other areas where the lawyers have more or less taken over the direction of the claims and the claimants become subservient and it becomes a drama driven by the lawyers and the legal profession, whereas Ngapuhi, I think we have people who can stand up and talk for themselves,” Tau said.

Sonny Tau says there will be four consultation hui in the north, to in Auckland on October 30 and 31, and one each in Wellington and Christchurch.

FUTURE EDUCATION MAPPED

The dean of Auckland University's Education faculty says technology should give all students better access to learning.

Dr John Langley was a major contributor to the Secondary Futures, Students First report released yesterday.

He says the learning environment for high school students will be radically different to what is available now.

Students will be able to choose where they study, and won't be forced to do all their schooling on one campus.

“I think Maori kids could benefit hugely from this. Now we have a situation where the technology we have enables everyone to get it. Technology is a great leveler, so it doesn’t matter if you are sitting in a mansion in Remuera or in a place somewhere else, you can have access to the same information in the same way at the same time,” Langley said.

John Langley says in future schools are likely to specialise in particular subjects, including Maori, rather than trying to offer all curriculum areas to all students.

Waipareira planning rapid response

Te Whanau o Waipareira is setting up a rapid response team to identify children who are going off the rails and work with their families to address their social and learning problems.

Spokesperson John Tamihere says the West Auckland Maori trust is sick of its community being managed by the criminal justice system.

Mr Tamihere says government agencies aren't up to the job, and Waipareira feels it is time to step in.

“We've already developed and have the capacity in house. We’ve already run for 10 years wraparound programmes. We know how to run health. We know how to run welfare. We know how to best educate. We’ve never been allowed to apply that with any vim or vigor, so to hell with that, we’re just going to do it,” Tamihere said.

John Tamihere says outcomes of the Waipareira initiative should be a drop in family violence, a lift in literacy and numeracy of Maori children and a drop in youth offending.

MAORI TEEN PREGNANCIES CONCERN

An University of Auckland researcher says Maori teenage girls are far more likely to get pregnant than girls from other ethnic groups.

Liz Craig says Maori women are almost five times as likely to give birth in their teens than their Pakeha counterparts.

Dr Craig says that has important implications for social policy to stop it creating inter-generational problems.

“One of the most important issues is we really have to make sure resources are wrapped around so those mums can continue their education, because that will have economic impacts on the environment those children are growing up in,” Dr Craig said.

MARINE RESERVE FOR NGATI AWA

The establishment of a marine reserve near Whakatane is being applauded by Maori and opposed by anglers.

Te Paepae o Aotea, also known as the Volkner Rocks Reserve, is 5 kilometres northwest of Whakaari or White Island.

It opened today after years of discussion between Whakatane iwi Ngati Awa, fishermen and DOC.

Ngati Awa historian Pouroto Ngaropo says the importance of the site to his tribe and Mataatua people in general, can't be underestimated.

“Te Paepae o Aotea rocks are very significant to Ngati Awa because when any of our people die, spiritually, that’s the place where all the spirits of the Mataatua waka depart to back to the traditional home of our ancestors,” said Ngaropo.

LATIMER PRAISED BY MINISTER

The Minister of Maori Affairs says the contribution of Maori Council chairperson Sir Graham Latimer to Maoridom can't be underestimated.

Parekura Horomia says Sir Graham has shown his extraordinary commitment to the Maori people by allowing himself to be re-elected head of the council for a 12th three year term.

He says while Sir Graham had been a long time member of the National Party, he was able to transcend political boundaries.

“You know he's stood the test of time. I have total respect for Sir Graham. He’s been through his rough patches but he’s been consistent. He may not have been our party but he’s always been kindly and supportive of people like myself, and I certainly as the Minister for Maori Affairs can only mihi to him,” Horomia says

He says Sir Graham dese4rves to be mentioned alonside other renowned Maori leaders such as Turi Carroll, James Henare and Whina Cooper for his contributions to Maori.

NGAPUHI URGED TO GET BEHIND CLAIM PROCESS

The chair of the Ngapuhi Claims Design group says iwi and hapu clusters need to get around the table or they might lose out.

The group met yesterday to work out how the remaining historical claims in Northland should be presented.

It has until the end of February to design a process for approval by the Waitangi Tribunal.

Rudy Taylor says some affiliated iwi and hapu are holding back, and that would be a mistake.

“We're talking about overlapping boundaries. We’re talking about the whanau hapu. In terms of their claims and what they see in it. Getting around the table can only be an advantage. Staying outside can only be a disadvantage. We’re there to push the boundaries between the people and the Crown,” Taylor said.

Rudy Taylor says the Ngapuhi Claims Design team will hold hui to consult with Ngapuhi round the country, starting in west Auckland on October the 30th and South Auckland the following day.

ASHES OF ELVIS DADS DAY

Whangarei community group Ashes of Elvis says fathers need to interact more with their sons.

The group, made up of Maori health sector workers, is holding a Dads and Lads day in Whangarei next month, an idea it hopes will be picked up by other centres.

Founding member George McGaughey says being a father means taking part in your children's lives, and absent fathers can be found living in the home.

George McGaughey says Ashes of Elvis says had noticed the lack of a father in many of the difficult health and social situations they have to deal with.

Latimer returned to Maori Council post

Sir Graham Latimer has been elected to chair the New Zealand Maori Council for the 12th straight time.

The Northland leader was first elected to the post in 1973, and has led it through lows and highs, including a series of historic court battles which led to the Maori fisheries and forestry settlements.

Sir Graham says the issues raised at this week's triannual conference were similar to previous years, with problems facing Maori youth at the top of delegates minds.

He says the Government's plans to change the way the country's water rights are administered will also present a challenge for the council.

“Customary rights are going to loom very high. Maoridom has got four of five areas where the Government has signalled they are going to make changes. We’re going to go through a very hard period over the next six months trying to work our way through without confusing everybody and losing the direction we are going in,” Sir Graham said.

Sir Graham Latimer says despite the battles the council has won in the courts, governments still fail to properly consider the Maori interest when they make changes.

FEW MAORI IN LEAGUE TEAM

The New Zealand League team has traditionally been dominated by Maori players, but less than half a dozen will don the Kiwi jersey against Australia in Saturday night's test in Auckland.

League chairperson Sel Bennett says that's just part of a cycle, and he's confident Maori will continue to play a major role in the game's development.

Mr Bennett says there are talented Maori players emerging in the domestic competition, as well as some playing across the Tasman and in England.

“I don't think it’s a drop-off. I think it’s just a phase we are going through. Te resurgence will come back again, New Zealand Maori is touring the Cook Islands, they have a three test series over there. The football is great, there’s no doubt about it.” Bennett said.

ASHES OF ELVIS AIM FOR DADS AND LADS DAY

A Whangarei initiative put forward by a group with a common love for the late Elvis Presley aims to celebrate the bond between fathers and sons.

Ashes of Elvis is a group of 10 Northland health sector workers, who originally came together as a social group.

Member George McGaughey says through their work with local social service groups in the region, they saw the lack of male role models for rangatahi.

Mr McGaughey says Ashes of Elvis is holding a day for fathers, sons, uncles, and nephews next month to highlight the issue.

“We noticed that there was a lack of positive male role models among a lot of our youth, so we have taken it upon ourselves to try to get a recognised day ion New Zealand to celebrate fathers and sons,” McGaughey said.

George McGaughey says Ashes of Elvis is launching its dads and lads day in Whangarei on the 12th of November.

PAREKARANGA TRUST OFFERS YOUTH SITE

A Rotorua Maori Trust has come to the rescue of Child Youth and Family, which has been struggling to find a suitable site for a youth justice residential facility servicing the Waikato and bay of Plenty.

Parekarangi Trust has offered to lease a 10 hectare dairy block 12 kilometres south of Rotorua for the 40 bed unit.

The ministry is seeking public comment on the proposal.

Parekarangi Trust property manager Clive Carrington says the felt a sense of social responsibility.

“They're just putting it there because they feel they need to help youth and in the future you never know what it might hold, we might be able to do some farm work schemes or whatever,” Carrington said.

MAORI TEACHERS NEED CURRICULUM REVAMP

The organiser of a professional development course for Maori medium art teachers says Maori need to take control of their own curriculum.

Ihipera Kerr says while most curriculum documents used in kura kaupapa and Maori immersion units may be in Maori, they are usually just translations of the corresponding English documents.

Ms Kerr says the reason her Feel the Magic art course was a hit with Maori teachers was because it drew on a curriculum which was put together by Maori for Maori.

“Most of our other Maori documents are actually translations of the English documents, but the Nga Toi one had a specialness about it from the input of native speakers, and they wanted a document that Maori medium could relate to and know they actually owned and it wasn’t a transliteration of anything else,” Kerr said.

Ihipera Kerr says Maori medium teachers are always looking for authentic ways to teach subjects in a Maori way.

POUKAI MOVES TO MANGATANGI

Mangatangi south of Auckland will today host the poukai, one of the ceremonial gatherings which bind together the Maori King Movement.

Kaumatua Toko Pompey of Ngati Tamaoho says poukai are held each year at 28 marae through the Waikato and in other areas with traditional links to the Kingitanga.

Mr Pompey says it was introduced by the second Maori king, Tawhiao, as a celebratory feast and a place to raise issues.

“Tawhiao insisted that all marae support each other on a particular day, and on those days your eels and my mussels and my pigeons, we all gather together and then we have a feast to be together, so consequently on this day we have this dinner and the Maori king joins in and enjoys our companionship,” Pompey said.

Toko Pompey says the new king Tuheitia will attend the hui.

Harawira defends office closed door policy

Tai Tokerau MP Hone Harawira says his policy of only helping constituents on the Maori electoral roll was aimed at encouraging people to switch from the general roll.

Mr Harawira says he made the policy public during the Maori electoral option, and it still applies.

He says Maori on the general roll will be referred to Northland MP John Carter or other general electorate MPs.

“I can't help everybody all of the time I’m not going to try to save the world, but I am going to work my little black arse off for everybody on the Tai Tokerau electoral roll. You have the option to come across to the roll. If you do, you can knock on my door, you ring my bell, get on my website, any time and I'm there,” Harawira said.

Hone Harawira says his electorate is four times larger than John Carter's, but he has the same resources to services constituents.

BRASH PAST USE BY DATE SAYS HANSON

A northern kaumatua and long time National Party member says Don Brash has passed his use-by date.

Dennis Hansen says Dr Brash's questioning of Maori identity were only the most recent in a long line of anti Maori comments made by the leader of the Opposition.

Mr Hansen says the remarks were deliberately inflammatory.

“This is the time to sack him. He’s had enough time. I’ve said he’s a nice fella, but he should be sacked because he is bringing us Maori into disrepute, not only Aotearoa wide but worldwide with his ugly comments,” Hanson said.

POOR SCHOOLING INTER-GENERATIONAL

Tuwharetoa's education manager says Maori parents need to overcome their own poor memories of school and get in behind their children's learning.

The central North Island iwi has hosted its fifth Hui Taumata Matauranga or Maori education summit, focusing this time on the role of whanau in education.

Colin Rangi says the hui was an opportunity for people to hear some of the country's best educational thinkers and practitioners share their experiences.

He says many Maori need to change their attitude to education.

“A lot of our whanau have poor experience of schools, have poor memories of what they did at school so consequently it became quite and issue for them in terms of developing rapport with schools to be involved with their children's education,” Rangi said.

Colin Rangi says many Maori parents are learning the value of education through their involvement in kohanga reo and kura kaupapa Maori.

ROTORUA SITE PICKED FOR CYF FACILITY

A former Maori-owned dairy farm on the outskirts of Rotorua could be the new home ground for a Youth Justice Facility.

Child, Youth and Family has been trying for more than two years to find a suitable site in the Waikato or the Bay of Plenty, but previous options have been dropped after objections from neighbours.

Minister Ruth Dyson says the 10 hectare Pakerangi Trust site will allow residents to be close to amenities, while the 40-bed unit will have a minimal impact on the surrounding environment.

Parekarangi Trust property manager Clive Carrington says the trust is happy to help out the department.

“They've got to have something somewhere. Being a Maori trust farm we feel that it’s got to be a positive step forward Down the track if we can be involved with the youth, if they need works schemes or so on, we can work in with the justice department on whatever,” Carrington said.

There will be an eight week consultation period on the proposed facility

TAI TOKERAU TOO BIG FOR HONE

Maori Party MP Hone Harawira says his Tai Tokerau electorate is too big for him to help everyone who turns up at his door.

Mr Harawira has told Maori on the general electoral roll he will refer them to other MPs, and he will only service people on the Maori roll who may be able to vote for him.

He says MPs like John Carter, Phil Heatley, Lockwood Smith, John Key and Wayne Mapp are in a better position to help.

“See they're all National MPs and they’ve all got very small electorate within which to work. Mine is massive, and I made a conscious decision that I would work as hard as I possibly can for those who bothered to get off their arse and come across to my roll,” Harawira said.

Hone Harawira says he's only in Parliament because of people on the Tai Tokerau roll.

SIXTH HUI TAUMATA MATAURANGA PLANNED

Organisers of the Hui Taumata Matauranga Maori education summit say a sixth event is already being planned for next year.

Colin Rangi, the education manager for Ngati Tuwharetoa, says the regular hui have become an important way for Maori to influence education policy.

Mr Rangi says they are part of a wider pattern of Maori engagement with the education system over the past five or 19 years, as a result of their involvement with kohanga reo, kura kaupapa and wharekura.

Colin Rangi says last weekend's hui in Taupo, which looked at the role of whanau in education, was the last built around the work plan developed at the first summit in 2001.

Union contribution missing from fish talks

The Maori vice president of the Council of Trade Unions Maori says the row over minimum wages on foreign charter fishing boats would not have reached a crisis point if the unions had been at the table.

Iwi fishing companies say new rates and conditions on the boats will threaten the viability of charters and drag down what they can earn from leasing out the quota they have finally got from the Maori fisheries settlement.

But Sharon Clair says the fishing industry has been talking with the Labour Department about the new rules for two years, but kept the main maritime union out of the discussions.

She says that means it denied itself the wisdom and experience of the experts on employment conditions and wages.

“So what we could bring to the table is more alternatives and options for things to be successful so that both the iwi fisheries would be able to afford this, that they didn’t realise they would have to do, and migrant workers would be protected from being exploited as cheap labour,” Clair said.

Sharon Clair says iwi are in the difficult position of playing catch up with the rest of the fishing industry.

MAORI MADE NEXT STEP

Green MP Metiria Turei says if the Buy New Zealand Made campaign advanced by her party succeeds, it could open the door for a similar Maori made push.

Ms Turei says Maori want to support Maori businesses, and there is likely to be wider interest.

“Brand loyalty, whether it’s New Zealand brand loyalty or indigenous and sovereignty loyalty like Maori made is a fantastic option we have got because people want to know who they are supporting when they buy their products, and there is already a lot of Maori loyalty for Maori made products, a Maori made campaign would be absolutely fantastic,” Turei said.

Meteria Turei says Maori artists already have the Maori Made mark which confirms the authenticity of their works.

COOK ENCOUNTER REMEMBERED

The festival commemorates the first meeting between Turanga iwi and Captain James Cook 237 years ago.

Hera Ngata Gibson says while the notion of a commemoration has caused bad blood in the past, Te Unga Mai works because it gives a voice both to tangata whenua and to those who came after.

“They were there to commemorate their tipuna. Some were killed in that first meeting, so for Ngati Oneone and their people it was about commemorating their tipuna, and for Pakeha it was about commemorating their tipuna, Cook and those who were on board the Endeavour when they first came,” Ngata-Gibson said.

Hera Ngata Gibson says Rongowhakaata, Te Aitanga a Hauiti, Te Aitanga a Mahaki and initial encounter hapu Ngati Oneone were present.

BOOZE AD BAN BILL TO HELP MAORI

Greens Maori affairs spokesperson Metiria Turei says a members bill to ban alcohol advertising will help Maori.

The Liquor Advertising (Television and Radio) Bill comes up for a first reading in Parliament today.

Ms Turei says indigenous communities worldwide have been devastated by alcohol.

She says the beer barons must bear much of the responsibility because of their deliberate marketing to the most vulnerable sectors of society, low income workers and young people.
Ms Turei says rangatahi get confusing messages about alcohol and health.

“It's about making sure we don’t keep sending messages that alcohol is the answer to our problems, and those messages are being promoted to us all ther time through television and billboards and sports events. We’ve got to put to put in place the structural protection where we can protect our own communities, and this is one way of doing it,” Turei said.

TURANGA COMMEMORATION FOR NEW START

The organiser of a festival commemorating the first encounter between the Maori of Gisborne and Captain Cook says it is about forging new relationships to move on.

Hera Ngata Gibson says the Te Unga Mai Festival started at the original landing site of the Endeavour at Kaiti beach with a powhiri from Turanga-nui-a-Kiwa iwi Te Aitanga a Hauiti, Te Aitanga a Mahaki, Rongowhakaata and Ngati Oneone.

Ms Gibson says the question of how to commemorate the first encounter has been the source of considerable controversy over the years.

IN: We've been scrapping with each other for god knows how long but until we get those things out in the open, debate them, talk about them, cry about them, whatever, we can’t address the issues, so Te Unga Mai is about tangata whenua telling their stories, giving their perspective about that first meeting, and also for Pakeha to tell their stories as well
,” Ngata-Gibson said.

Hera Ngata Gibson says organisers hope to make the annual Te Unga Mai festival an event of national significance.

ROCK ART HUI IN TAUPO

Experts in Maori rock art are gathering in Taupo today for a hui on how rock art sites should be managed.

Amanda Symon, the curator for Timaru-based Ngai Tahu Maori Rock Art Trust, says many drawings are more than 500 years old, with some featuring moa.

There are some 550 sites recorded in Ngai Tahu territory and at least 130 in the North Island.

Ms Symon says that creates management challenges.

“There's a few sites in the rohe of a lot of different iwi up in the North Island, so that’s perhaps why they haven’t been looked at in detail up there, so it will be interesting to get people together to talk about that and share experiences and knowledge about the management of rock art, “ Symon said.

Amanda Symon says rock art sites need to be accessible but also protected.

Union contribution missing from fish talks

The Maori vice president of the Council of Trade Unions Maori says the row over minimum wages on foreign charter fishing boats would not have reached a crisis point if the unions had been at the table.

Iwi fishing companies say new rates and conditions on the boats will threaten the viability of charters and drag down what they can earn from leasing out the quota they have finally got from the Maori fisheries settlement.

But Sharon Clair says the fishing industry has been talking with the Labour Department about the new rules for two years, but kept the main maritime union out of the discussions.

She says that means it denied itself the wisdom and experience of the experts on employment conditions and wages.

“So what we could bring to the table is more alternatives and options for things to be successful so that both the iwi fisheries would be able to afford this, that they didn’t realise they would have to do, and migrant workers would be protected from being exploited as cheap labour,” Clair said.

Sharon Clair says iwi are in the difficult position of playing catch up with the rest of the fishing industry.

MAORI MADE NEXT STEP

Green MP Metiria Turei says if the Buy New Zealand Made campaign advanced by her party succeeds, it could open the door for a similar Maori made push.

Ms Turei says Maori want to support Maori businesses, and there is likely to be wider interest.

“Brand loyalty, whether it’s New Zealand brand loyalty or indigenous and sovereignty loyalty like Maori made is a fantastic option we have got because people want to know who they are supporting when they buy their products, and there is already a lot of Maori loyalty for Maori made products, a Maori made campaign would be absolutely fantastic,” Turei said.

Meteria Turei says Maori artists already have the Maori Made mark which confirms the authenticity of their works.

COOK ENCOUNTER REMEMBERED

The festival commemorates the first meeting between Turanga iwi and Captain James Cook 237 years ago.

Hera Ngata Gibson says while the notion of a commemoration has caused bad blood in the past, Te Unga Mai works because it gives a voice both to tangata whenua and to those who came after.

“They were there to commemorate their tipuna. Some were killed in that first meeting, so for Ngati Oneone and their people it was about commemorating their tipuna, and for Pakeha it was about commemorating their tipuna, Cook and those who were on board the Endeavour when they first came,” Ngata-Gibson said.

Hera Ngata Gibson says Rongowhakaata, Te Aitanga a Hauiti, Te Aitanga a Mahaki and initial encounter hapu Ngati Oneone were present.

BOOZE AD BAN BILL TO HELP MAORI

Greens Maori affairs spokesperson Metiria Turei says a members bill to ban alcohol advertising will help Maori.

The Liquor Advertising (Television and Radio) Bill comes up for a first reading in Parliament today.

Ms Turei says indigenous communities worldwide have been devastated by alcohol.

She says the beer barons must bear much of the responsibility because of their deliberate marketing to the most vulnerable sectors of society, low income workers and young people.
Ms Turei says rangatahi get confusing messages about alcohol and health.

“It's about making sure we don’t keep sending messages that alcohol is the answer to our problems, and those messages are being promoted to us all ther time through television and billboards and sports events. We’ve got to put to put in place the structural protection where we can protect our own communities, and this is one way of doing it,” Turei said.

TURANGA COMMEMORATION FOR NEW START

The organiser of a festival commemorating the first encounter between the Maori of Gisborne and Captain Cook says it is about forging new relationships to move on.

Hera Ngata Gibson says the Te Unga Mai Festival started at the original landing site of the Endeavour at Kaiti beach with a powhiri from Turanga-nui-a-Kiwa iwi Te Aitanga a Hauiti, Te Aitanga a Mahaki, Rongowhakaata and Ngati Oneone.

Ms Gibson says the question of how to commemorate the first encounter has been the source of considerable controversy over the years.

IN: We've been scrapping with each other for god knows how long but until we get those things out in the open, debate them, talk about them, cry about them, whatever, we can’t address the issues, so Te Unga Mai is about tangata whenua telling their stories, giving their perspective about that first meeting, and also for Pakeha to tell their stories as well
,” Ngata-Gibson said.

Hera Ngata Gibson says organisers hope to make the annual Te Unga Mai festival an event of national significance.

ROCK ART HUI IN TAUPO

Experts in Maori rock art are gathering in Taupo today for a hui on how rock art sites should be managed.

Amanda Symon, the curator for Timaru-based Ngai Tahu Maori Rock Art Trust, says many drawings are more than 500 years old, with some featuring moa.

There are some 550 sites recorded in Ngai Tahu territory and at least 130 in the North Island.

Ms Symon says that creates management challenges.

“There's a few sites in the rohe of a lot of different iwi up in the North Island, so that’s perhaps why they haven’t been looked at in detail up there, so it will be interesting to get people together to talk about that and share experiences and knowledge about the management of rock art, “ Symon said.

Amanda Symon says rock art sites need to be accessible but also protected.

All voters welcome says Clark

The Prime Minister says Maori Party MP Hone Harawira's policy of refusing to help voters who are not on the Maori roll is highly unusual.

Mr Harawira used his column in a Northland newspaper to tell people his office would send them to National's Northland MP John Carter is they were not registered as Maori voters.

Helen Clark says Labour Party offices are open to all New Zealanders.
IN: I can say as an electorate member of Parliament in our office in Mt Albert doesn’t say to anyone when they walk in the door are you on our roll or are you on the Maori roll. If they live in the MT Albert area, we’ll help them, and I would think most Maori MPs would take the same approach,” Clark said.

Helen Clark says Maori have a right to enroll either on the Maori of the general electoral rolls, and that should be respected.

MANAHI AWARD WILL BE RECRUITING DRAW

The acknowledgement by the Queen of Te Arawa war hero Haane Manahi could lead to more rangatahi from the tribe entering the armed services.
Donna Hall, the lawyer for the committee which tried to get a Victoria Cross for the late Mr Manahi, says that is the likely outcome of the final agreement between the Crown and Te Arawa announced on the weekend.

Ms Hall says the package provides the basis for a strong relationship to be formed, which will benefit younger generations.

“Army, navy, air force, all of these disciplines are particularly good for young Maori and particularly young Maori Te Arawa men and women, and this is the beginning of that relationship developing, we will recruit the very best of our young people into the services, and that will come out of the relationship we will develop at the most senior levels of the defence forces across the next 20 and 30 years,” Hall said.

Donna Hall says the induction process for future defence force chiefs of staff will include a formal visit to Rotorua to receive the Haane Manahi memorial sword from the tribe.

HUNTLY TO GET INDUSTRIAL MAKEOVER

A Huntly Maori leader says tangata whenua need to involved in a $3.3 million upgrade of the town's business precinct.

Waikato District Council plans an industrial heritage theme for Main St.

Timi Maipi from Ngati Mahuta and Ngati Whawhaakia says he is dissppointed there has been no consultation with Maori so far.

Timi Maipi says any revamp should reflect Huntly's strong Maori cultural identity and its place in the Kingitanga.

KAPA HAKA CARTEL MOOTED

Maori performing artists in the Bay of Plenty need to work together for the health of the sector.

That's the opinion of lawyer Willie Te Aho, who is representing the kapa haka group Mauri.

The group, led by renowned haka expert Taini Morrison, has just walked out of Rotorua's Te Puia Maori arts and crafts institute in a contract dispute.
Mr Te Aho says the battle for performance spots in Rotorua can be fierce.

He says while competition is necessary, the close whakapapa links between performers means groups need to be careful they don't do things for business reasons they may regret later.

Willie Te Aho says he will be meeting with Te Puia management on Thursday and hopes he will be able to reach a settlement for the Mauri performers.

FISHING PAY NOT NEGOTIABLE

The Prime Minister say there is no way her government would allow foreigners working in New Zealand to be paid less than the minimum wage.
Over the objections of iwi fishing companies, the Labour Department has imposed new rules governing wages and working conditions on foreign charter fishing vessels.

Helen Clark says the government did consider the arguments put up by the iwi and the and the Maori Party, but the Labour Party can not justify exploitation of any workers.

“I'm amazed that the Maori Party which purports to represent Maori who are on the lowest wages in New Zealand would think that other people, because they are foreigners, should be paid even less than the minimum wage. That’s no place for our country to be,” Clark said.

HOTERE, CULBERT CREATE VOID IN TE PAPA

Maori ideas of space and creation will be evoked by a new work permanently on display at the national museum Te Papa in Wellington.

VOID is the latest result of a 20 year collaboration between Ralph Hotere and Bill Culbert.

It creates areas of dark and light in the huge open space running up the core of the museum building.

Curator Debby Martin of Te Rarawa and Te Aupouri says it's a beautiful and thought provoking piece.

“I interpret it as being an empty space but more a space of potential from which creativity can flow, so I do see a connection to it being Te Kore, the space from which life came,.” Martin said.

Debby Martin says VOID has taken the artists five years to develop.

Harawire bans general voters from clinic

Northland MP John Carter may be getting more Maori at his constituency clinics because their local MP refuses to deal with them.

In a column in a Northland newspaper, Tai Tokerau MP Hone Harawira warned Maori on the general electoral role not to bother coming to see him, because he won't help them.

Mr Carter says that's not the view he takes, and he will help anyone who comes in his door.

“I'm there first and foremost funded by the taxpayer to assist them and help, and secondly of course there’s always a chance that whoever it is I am helping, I might eventually be able to encourage them to vote for National in the party vote, and the party vote is all that matters, st that’s important for me as well, but first and foremost it’s an honour to be a member of parliament, and I am there to assist,” Carter said.

John Carter says ever since he has been Northland's MP he has had to deal with requests for assistance form voters from the Maori seat.

ARMY LOCKED TO TE ARAWA FOR LIFE

Haane Manahi VC Committee lawyer Donna Hall says the award given to Te Arawa in recognition of the late Mr Manahi's wartime valour will strengthen the traditional relations between the iwi, the Crown and the armed services.

Ms Hall says while the Queen turned down a petition that the highest military honour be awarded posthumously to Mr Manahi, she will acknowledge Te Arawa's contributions to the Crown and its wars going back to the 1860s.

To acknowledge God, King and Country, the package will include an altar cloth for St Faith's Church in Ohinemutu, Rotorua, a letter from the Queen, and a ceremonial sword from the collection of George the Sixth which will be worn on ceremonial occasions by the head of the defence forces.

Ms Hall says it's an acknowledgement which will endure.

“Because every four years or so, thousands of officers, recruits, people in uniform from the air force, the navy and the army, they’ll all have to march from the town hall down to our little marae at Tamatekapua to support their chief of staff getting this sword, so over time there will be this be the relationship.,” Hall said.

WHANAU AIM FOR HOLIDAY SHOW

Pio Terei says too many TV travel shows concentrate on high end holidays out of reach of the average whanau.

The comedian and television presenter says when whanau are looking for a place to get away from it all, it's not necessarily the flashest hotels that are the most suitable.

He and his whanau have decided to do something about it and he’s making a programme for TYV1 featuring his wide, his three sons and himself travelklign the country looking for accommodation.

IWI UNITE OVER FISH PAY ROW

The head of pan-Maori fishing business Aotearoa Fisheries says iwi are united in opposition to Labour Department proposals to change how crew on foreign charter vessels are paid.

Robin Hapi says the changes, including an increase in pay rates and a requirement that deductions can not take the hourly rate below the minimum wage, could make chartering such boats uneconomic for iwi.

Mr Hapi says iwi have been waiting for a long time for their fisheries settlement assets, and now the rules are being changed under them.

“These are our tribes who have had an opportunity over the years to get experience in running operations, albeit on quota that was allocated to them on a year by year basis, . Now that it’s been allocated permanently, these people are coming into the industry expecting no less than the sorts of opportunities the industry has been able to build on and to capitalise their companies on,” Hapi said.

Robin Hapi says about 80 percent of deepwater quota is caught by foreign their chief of staffgetting ths sword, so over time there will be thins

Mr Carter says that's not his view, and he has always happily dealt with requests for help from voters in Mr Harawira's electorate.

“Ever since I've been a member of Parliament, when someone needs help, particularly in Northland, they go to the member of Parliament they think is going to help them and often I can ang generally do, and they make that choice regardless. I don’t think it matters to them which roll they're on,” Carter said.

John Carter says not only is an MP paid by the taxpayer to help everyone, but there is always the prospect of winning their party vote.

BLACK WINS NEW AUDIENCE WITH STANDARD APPROACH

Tuhoe singer and songwriter Whirimako Black from Tuhoe says her decision to record an album of jazz standards in te reo Maori is paying off handsomely.

She says many non-Maori listeners are finding how easily te reo versions of classic songs come together.

Ms Black says she suddenly has a whole new audience.

She says she was unsure what the reaction would be when she decided to embark on her latest project, but it has given her access to a mainstream audience.

Whirimako Black says she hopes her example will encourage other musicians to use te reo Maori in their recordings.

Puketutu compost plan upsets Te Akitai

A Waikato kaumatua says the Environment Court was wrong to approve a composting operation on Manukau's Puketutu Island.

The Living Earth plan to recycle garden waste was opposed by the Auckland Regional and Manukau City councils, local residents and tangata whenua.

Sonny Rauwhero of Mangere hapu Te Akitai says Judge David Sheppard's ruling doesn't make sense, given the councils’ long term plan to clean up the harbour.

“What would they say if I stuck a compost heap on the mountain in the Auckland Domain, or thereabouts. So it won’t be a good idea doing that, nor would it be a good idea putting it on Puketutu island. There must be better places to put a compost heap. Why there? That area is a food bowl to us Maori. Always has been,” Rauwhero said.

Sonny Rauwhero says the decision will be devastating for tangata whenua.

MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSION HELPFUL

Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia says a nine year extension for the Mental Health Commission is good news for Maori.

The commission was due to be disestablished next year.

Mrs Turia says the commission has done a lot of valuable work in its first decade.

“Well I think it’s the advocacy they provide, because they’re not afraid to step up to the plate and raise issues with governemnt. Our people need that. We need people who are fearless advocates, and we don’t have enough of them. The commission has been exceptional, I would have to say,” Turia said.

LABOUR DEPT STAY OFF WATER

The chief executive of the largest Maori fisheries business says foreign fishers are happy with the wages they get in New Zealand waters, and the Labour Department should not interfere in their contracts.

The department is proposing to not only increase the minimum wage for workers on charter vessels, but to say that deductions for expenses such as travel and food cannot take the amount paid below the minimum.

Robin Hapi says foreign charters catch about 80 percent of New Zealand's deepwater quota, including much of that fished by iwi companies.

He says the current system is working well for both iwi companies and the fishers.

“They've operated under negotiated arrangements. They are happy with the wages they are getting. They only work for three to six months of the season, go home with their pockets full, and can afford, because the wages are two to three times what they would get in their own homelands, they can afford to have a bit of a rest,” Hapi said.

Robin Hapi says there is a problem with a few rogue operators who pay crews less than they are promised, but that is no reason to penalise the whole industry.

MANAHI FEATS MERIT WARD

A Te Arawa supporter says the courage of Haane Manahi at Takrouna in 1943 more than merited a Victoria Cross.

The Queen has turned down a fourth petition to award a posthumous VC to the Maori Battalion lance-sergeant for his feats in North Africa, but she created a special award in his honour.

Norman Bennett, the secretary of the Manahi VC Committee, says Mr Manahi showed extraordinary courage when all his officers were killed or wounded attacking a rocky outcrop in Tunisia.

“Manahi was just a lance sergeant at the time. He took over complete control and between him and about 10, may have been even six men, they captured 300 German and Italian soldiers. It was just an amazing feat of the second World War,” Bennett said.

Te Arawa was told this weekend the award will acknowledge God, King and Country, and will include an altar cloth for St Faiths Church in Ohinemutu, a letter from the Queen to Te Arawa, and a ceremonial sword to be worn by the head of the New Zealand defence forces.

PERFORMERS GET WRONG END OF STICK

The lawyer for the kapa haka group at Rotorua's Te Puia Maori arts centre says the performers have been badly treated.

Mauri. which has been the resident culture group at Te Puia for five years, walked off the job on Friday.

Willie Te Aho says the centre altered performance time and tendered out aspects of Mauri's work without consultation with the group or its leader, renowned performer Taini Morrison.

Mr Te Aho says Mauri is asking for the lawful processes to be followed.
“Because of the caliber of Taini Morrison as an individual and as a person within Te Arawa waka, I don’t think she was treated in a dignified manner. Mauri wanted to make a stand to say to the rest of the country they shouldn’t put up with this process and this type of treatment,” Te Aho said.

FOLLOWING FATHER’S FOOTSTEPS

Auckland University law student Te Aopare Dewes has been award the second Te Hunga Roia Maori scholarship at the Maori law society's annual hui.

Ms Dewes is the daughter of prominent Maori lawyer and former fisheries commissioner Whaimutu Dewes.

Ms Dewes hopes to eventually return to Rotorua to work for her iwi, but her first job after graduation will be working on resource management issues with the Auckland branch of Minter Ellison Rudd Watts.

“The reason I chose to do a law degree when I was 17 and having to decide what to study at uni was basically because it is a very broad based degree and it does give you a lot of skills, so I knew a law degree would be able to open a few different pathways so when I finished studying I would have a few different options, Dewes said.

The scholarship recognises law students who have participated in the Maori law society's activities, are strong contributors to their iwi and have exceptional grades.




Teaching talent poached by govt agencies

Government departments are responsible for losing some of the best maori talent from the education sector.

That's the opinion of the Maori Party spokesperson on education Te Ururoa Flavell.

He says while calls recently have been made for more men to become teachers within the kohanga reo movement, the reality is more Maori teachers are needed across the board, in the primary secondary and tertiary sectors.

Mr Flavell says while recruitment is important, it's also vital those Maori teachers are retained within the education system.

“You know they might
 be teaching for one or two years, and all of a sudden plucked out to go into government departments because of their reo, or their demeanour, or their life experiences are something which might be valuable in say ERO or government departments, It’s something which we really must address in terms of bringing that Maori fact to the schooling environment,” Flavell said.

VIOLENCE WORKERS KEEN FOR ANY CLUES

Organisers of last week's Mauriora Whanau Potential hui say Health and Social Workers are looking for any way to help prevent whanau violence.

Nancy Tuani from the Whanganui River Maori Trust Board says the hui brought together 300 representatives from 200 national organisations.

Ms Tuani says there is no one solution to violence, and people are looking for any ideas and support they can get.

“The take of family violence is so huge, everyone is looking for any thing that is going to help with that issue There’s no one fix for all of it, there are heaps of contributing factors, so everyone who came was looking for some support in their mahi,” Tuani said.

Nancy Tuani says there is a lot of interest in kaupapa Maori and whanau-based strategies to address violence.

MAORI EDUCATION MODELS NEEDED

The new president of the tertiary staff union says she wants to see more work done on Maori models of education.

Sharon Stevens from Te Whakatohea and Ngapuhi has been part of the Association of Staff in Tertiary Education for 16 years, and she takes the top job after a four year apprenticeship as vice president.

She says she has learned a lot over the years from the union's kaumatua such as Huirangi Waikerepuru and Kaa Daniels, and she is looking forward investigating the whole Maori education section from cradle to grave.

“The whole sector right from early childhood to higher levels, because I don’t think education stops in a Maori sense. We begin from the day we are born to the day we die, so we have a difference concept of education from the other side of the coin I suppose,” Stevens said.

The new role means Sharon Stevens will relocate from Horahora near Whangarei to Wellington when the job formally starts next February.

IWI PROVIDERS CHALLENGED ON MAORI DELIVERY

Iwi social service providers have been challenged to retain a Maori style of delivery, whatever their government funders may want.

The providers' national collective, Te Kahui Atiwhai, has just held its annual hui.

Chairperson Arapeta Hamilton says the hui was given an inspiring speech by Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia, whose background is in iwi social services, on the path ahead.

“She was issuing a number of challenges to us. One of them was not adopting the face of the represser in the mahi we are doing. Don't try to be like Child Youth and Family, because we are not. Our kaupapa is different,” Hamilton said.

Arapeta Hamilton says the 137 iwi services providers under the Te Kahui Atiwha umbrella have a positive impact on Maori communities in spite of their limited funding and resources.

MAORI INTERNET SOCIETY BACK IN ACTION

The Maori Internet Society is back, with a mission of carving out a space for Maori in the world wide web.

Chairperson Karaitiana Taiuru says the society's founders handed over responsibility for the organisation to a new generation after they won its first major battle, creation of the special dot maori dot nz internet name space.

But he says the new team didn't do anything, so the founders have re-entered the fray.

He says there are only about 400 dot maori dot nz addresses registered.
“One of the things we need to do is promote dot maori dot nz. I don't think anyone has done that yet. I still talk to people who have never heard of dot maori dot nz, so there is definitely a need for a marketing campaign for that,” Taiuru said.

Karaitiana Taiuru says the Maori Internet Society is working with Internet New Zealand to change this country's internet name servers so they can cope with Maori addresses which contain macrons.

FLAVELL DISMISSES MALE LACK

The Maori party spokesperson on education, says there are more important issues confronting Maori communities than the number of men teaching at kohanga reo.

The issue was raised at a hui in Matakana Island recently, where participants were challenged to return to their rohe, and do what they can to attract more men into the sector.

The same concerns are reflected in kindergarten and pre school education, where just 1 percent of the staff are male.

Te Ururoa Flavell says it is not just the pre school sector that is having difficulty attracting male teachers.

“Lack of our people taking up the teaching profession across the board, primary, secondary and beyond. I'm comfortable for women to take up those roles in kohanga reo, and for those men who want to, good on them, but I think we have bigger issues to worry about at present,” Flavell said.