Wind farm plan sparks incorporation revolt
A south Kaipara woman is trying to rally opposition the Otakanini Incorporation's plans to build a wind farm on its land.
Denise Hapeta from Ngati Whatua ki Kaipara ki te Tonga says the plans aren't supported by the majority of owners of the 3 thousand hectare block.
She says it's yet another example of a board of management ignoring the needs of owners, many of whom live in poor conditions in Auckland and would like a chance to return to the land.
“There's a big forest down the back that down belong to the Maoris, that belongs to the Crown but no they won’t stick it on the Crown land, they’ve got to stick it on the poor Maoris land. Nobody wants these windmills. But the owners do not have a say,” Ms Hapeta says.
Otakanini Incorporation will get no income from the windmills for at least a decade.
RATES INPUT SOUGHT
The Federation of Maori Authorities is encouraging members to make submissions to an inquiry into the rating system.
Executive deputy chairperson Paul Morgan says none of the inquiry members have experience in the complex issues facing the rating of Maori owned land.
But he says it's a longstanding problem, and Maori need to front up to the hui if they are to get change.
“I've got members that would argue they’re paying very significant rates on Maori land and they get no services. On the other hand, you’ve got local authorities saying Maori land is a problem and no one ever pays the rates. Somewhere in the middle there we’ve got to find a way forward,” Mr Morgan says.
Inquiry chair David Shand says the panel will look specifically at the impacts of rates on land covered by Te Ture Whenua Maori Act 1993, and will meet with Maori, the public and councils at a number of hui.
TANGIHAERE ACTING HEAD AT TAIRAWHITI POLY
The former head of Te Runanga o Turanganui a Kiwa has become the first Maori woman chief executive in the polytechnic sector.
Tracey Tangihaere, from Maniapoto and Ngati Porou, has been appointed acting CEO of Gisborne-based Tairawhiti Polytechnic.
Ms Tangihaere says there are challenges in the sector coming from new technology and from wananga and private training establishments.
“There are a lot more options for people to select now, with online learning distance learning, with wananaga being available to our people, which is great, but it asks really the polytechnic to change what they are delivering and how they are delivering, so that takes a lot of talking with our communities, with our other providers as well,” Tracey Tangihaere says.
Enrolments for 2007 are steady, but Tairawhiti Polytech are always encouraging more.
BOARDING SCHOOLS FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL
The chair of a group representing the six Maori boarding schools says the sector is fighting for its survival.
Matt Matamoa says Pairangi met last week to work through such issues as the upgrading of hostels and problems with government funding.
Mr Matamoa says the sector has been on the back foot since the two Auckland-based Anglican boarding schools, St Stephens and Queen Victoria, were closed.
He says that seems to have given the Education Ministry some wrong ideas.
“There was some thinking going on in the ministry that perhaps the Maori boarding schools were coming to an end, and of course we disputed that, thought that no, that’s not the case. We could see there has been an increase in kura Maori. That’s okay. We still believe there is a place for Maori boarding schools,” Mr Matamoa says.
He says even with the rise in kura kaupapa and Maori immersion classes in mainstream, Maori parents deserve the choice that boarding schools offer.
OPEN FIELD FOR INFLUENCE
Labour's coalition partners may not like it, but the Greens are determined to capitalise on Taito Philip Field’s ousting from the Labour caucus.
Green MP Metiria Turei says having one less vote means the government must be more flexible in its relationship with the Greens and the Maori Party.
Ms Turei says Labour should have been talking to the parties before now.
“Hopefully some of the difficulty between our parties because of historical reasons will be worked through better, and we will be opening a relationship that means we get real changes made and Labour will have to be a little more flexible with its position on some things,” Ms Turei says.
United Future has said it will be vigilant to ensure the Greens don't get more influence.
MANUTUKE CHURCH GETS MAKEOVER
A 100 year old Maori Anglican church in the small East Coast settlement of Manutuke is to get a makeover.
Eastern and Central Community Trust has pledged 40 thousand dollars towards the restoration of the Toko Toru Tapu church, which will expected to cost up to half a million dollars.
Restoration project trustee Tracey Tangihaere says it's the third church on the site, with the first erected in 1860.
Ms Tangihaere says parishioners can't take all the load of preserving the historic church.
“The communities of Manutuke, Muriwai and Patutahi traditionally use the church, but in recent years the flocks have been dwindling, so the marae trustees and the Rongowhakkata Iwi Trust have taken a more proactive responsibility,” Ms Tangihaere says.
The trust is working in partnership with Waiapu Anglican diocese on the project.
Denise Hapeta from Ngati Whatua ki Kaipara ki te Tonga says the plans aren't supported by the majority of owners of the 3 thousand hectare block.
She says it's yet another example of a board of management ignoring the needs of owners, many of whom live in poor conditions in Auckland and would like a chance to return to the land.
“There's a big forest down the back that down belong to the Maoris, that belongs to the Crown but no they won’t stick it on the Crown land, they’ve got to stick it on the poor Maoris land. Nobody wants these windmills. But the owners do not have a say,” Ms Hapeta says.
Otakanini Incorporation will get no income from the windmills for at least a decade.
RATES INPUT SOUGHT
The Federation of Maori Authorities is encouraging members to make submissions to an inquiry into the rating system.
Executive deputy chairperson Paul Morgan says none of the inquiry members have experience in the complex issues facing the rating of Maori owned land.
But he says it's a longstanding problem, and Maori need to front up to the hui if they are to get change.
“I've got members that would argue they’re paying very significant rates on Maori land and they get no services. On the other hand, you’ve got local authorities saying Maori land is a problem and no one ever pays the rates. Somewhere in the middle there we’ve got to find a way forward,” Mr Morgan says.
Inquiry chair David Shand says the panel will look specifically at the impacts of rates on land covered by Te Ture Whenua Maori Act 1993, and will meet with Maori, the public and councils at a number of hui.
TANGIHAERE ACTING HEAD AT TAIRAWHITI POLY
The former head of Te Runanga o Turanganui a Kiwa has become the first Maori woman chief executive in the polytechnic sector.
Tracey Tangihaere, from Maniapoto and Ngati Porou, has been appointed acting CEO of Gisborne-based Tairawhiti Polytechnic.
Ms Tangihaere says there are challenges in the sector coming from new technology and from wananga and private training establishments.
“There are a lot more options for people to select now, with online learning distance learning, with wananaga being available to our people, which is great, but it asks really the polytechnic to change what they are delivering and how they are delivering, so that takes a lot of talking with our communities, with our other providers as well,” Tracey Tangihaere says.
Enrolments for 2007 are steady, but Tairawhiti Polytech are always encouraging more.
BOARDING SCHOOLS FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL
The chair of a group representing the six Maori boarding schools says the sector is fighting for its survival.
Matt Matamoa says Pairangi met last week to work through such issues as the upgrading of hostels and problems with government funding.
Mr Matamoa says the sector has been on the back foot since the two Auckland-based Anglican boarding schools, St Stephens and Queen Victoria, were closed.
He says that seems to have given the Education Ministry some wrong ideas.
“There was some thinking going on in the ministry that perhaps the Maori boarding schools were coming to an end, and of course we disputed that, thought that no, that’s not the case. We could see there has been an increase in kura Maori. That’s okay. We still believe there is a place for Maori boarding schools,” Mr Matamoa says.
He says even with the rise in kura kaupapa and Maori immersion classes in mainstream, Maori parents deserve the choice that boarding schools offer.
OPEN FIELD FOR INFLUENCE
Labour's coalition partners may not like it, but the Greens are determined to capitalise on Taito Philip Field’s ousting from the Labour caucus.
Green MP Metiria Turei says having one less vote means the government must be more flexible in its relationship with the Greens and the Maori Party.
Ms Turei says Labour should have been talking to the parties before now.
“Hopefully some of the difficulty between our parties because of historical reasons will be worked through better, and we will be opening a relationship that means we get real changes made and Labour will have to be a little more flexible with its position on some things,” Ms Turei says.
United Future has said it will be vigilant to ensure the Greens don't get more influence.
MANUTUKE CHURCH GETS MAKEOVER
A 100 year old Maori Anglican church in the small East Coast settlement of Manutuke is to get a makeover.
Eastern and Central Community Trust has pledged 40 thousand dollars towards the restoration of the Toko Toru Tapu church, which will expected to cost up to half a million dollars.
Restoration project trustee Tracey Tangihaere says it's the third church on the site, with the first erected in 1860.
Ms Tangihaere says parishioners can't take all the load of preserving the historic church.
“The communities of Manutuke, Muriwai and Patutahi traditionally use the church, but in recent years the flocks have been dwindling, so the marae trustees and the Rongowhakkata Iwi Trust have taken a more proactive responsibility,” Ms Tangihaere says.
The trust is working in partnership with Waiapu Anglican diocese on the project.
posted by Adam | 11:41 pm
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