Negotiations starting on coast
Three East Coast iwi today signed terms of negotiation to settle their historical treaty claims.
Rongowhakaata chairperson Stan Pardoe says the ceremony at the Mangatu Incorporation offices paves the way for a lot of hard work.
The Waitangi Tribunal reported on the claims of Rongowhakaata, Te Aitanga a Mahaaki and Ngai Tamanuhiri two years ago.
Mr Pardoe says all three iwi are in a positive mood.
“We're on that road now and hopefully if not before the wet end of spring we’ll be in negotiations proper with the Crown on those issues that we need to negotiate through and hopefully get a settlement that oll of us can be comfortable with,” Mr Pardoe says.
RIVER PLAN STRAITJACKET FOR OTHER IWI
The proposed shared management of the Waikato River between the Crown and Tainui will have major implications for other tribes.
That's the view of Maanu Paul, who for many years has challenged authorities over the pollution of the Whakatane River.
An agreement in principle for a Waikato River settlement was signed in Hamilton on the weekend.
Maannu Paul says other iwi will have to fall into line with Tainui deal, if it is ratified by tribe members.
“What it does do is set a precedent so those tribes who want to negotiate the running of their rivers have to conform to a model that has been set by both the Crown and Tainui,” Mr Paul says.
HARRIS WHANAU ESTABLISHING PROUD TRACK TRADITION
The Harris whanau from Te Atiawa is in line to create history in the sport of Kings.
18 year old jockey Troy Harris is leading the apprentice premiership with 47 wins.
If his good form continues he will join his uncles and father Noel Harris, all former top apprentices.
His grandfather was also a formidable hoop in his day, winning the Auckland Cup.
Noel Harris says Troy has come back well after breaking both legs in a fall two years ago, and he's a well balanced rider and a quick learner.
“He's got two months to go and he’s six winners in front. My oldest brother John, he won the premiership as an apprentice. Des, he won the apprenticeship and myself, so it would be nice if Troy could hang on for the season,” Mr Harris says.
In the five races the two have ridden in, Troy has yet to beat his old man.
INDIGENOUS RELIGIONS STRONG
A member of the New Zealand delegation to this week's Asia Pacific Interfaith Dialogue at Waitangi says indigenous religions are strong in the region.
The Dialogue, which is a response to the 2002 Bali bombings, aims to promote moderate religions as a counter to the sort of religious fanaticism which can be linked to terrorism.
Manuka Henare says the region is known for the diversity of its religions, and there are long histories of tolerance and respect.
“In the Asia Pacific the religions of the indigenous people are very strong, so while many of us may belong to one of the big global religious like Buddhism and Islam and Christianity, culturally speaking we are still very very close to the religions of old, our ancient religions,” he says.
Mr Henare says Maori ancestors were comfortable to integrate aspects of Christianity into their spiritual life without completely abandoning their traditional beliefs.
IWI MOURNS LOSS OF ANCESTRAL HOUSE
Ngati Kahungunu ki Pouakani has today been grieving the loss of its meeting house Tamatea Pokai Whenua in Mangakino.
The house on Poaukani Marae burned down in an early morning blaze.
Fire Service national adviser Piki Thomas says the fire destroyed most of its carvings and irreplaceable photos of ancestors.
Mr Thomas says fortunately the marae stored its mattresses in a separate area, which effectively reduced the amount of fuel to the fire.
“The majority of the burning occurred in the meeting house. The dining room has obvious smoke and heat damage, but at least that’s still standing. That can’t be said for the whare tupuna unfortunately,” he says.
Mr Thomas says the fire should serve as a warning to other marae about the need to install smoke alarms and sprinkler systems.
LATE CONSULTATION AN INSULT TO TE ARAWA
A member of Te Arawa's local government standing committee says a last minute consultation on Environment Bay of Plenty's plans to move its headquarters from Whakatane to Tauranga is an insult.
Hawea Vercoes says Rotorua is a major contributor to the region's infrastructure, but the regional council is treating its views as an after-thought.
“This is nearly a month after submissions have closed and only three days before they are due to make their decision on the whole proposal, and it just seems a really tokenistic approach,” Mr Vercoe says.
The move has been widely criticised by iwi, because it will put the council's administrative centre away from most of the region's Maori population.
Rongowhakaata chairperson Stan Pardoe says the ceremony at the Mangatu Incorporation offices paves the way for a lot of hard work.
The Waitangi Tribunal reported on the claims of Rongowhakaata, Te Aitanga a Mahaaki and Ngai Tamanuhiri two years ago.
Mr Pardoe says all three iwi are in a positive mood.
“We're on that road now and hopefully if not before the wet end of spring we’ll be in negotiations proper with the Crown on those issues that we need to negotiate through and hopefully get a settlement that oll of us can be comfortable with,” Mr Pardoe says.
RIVER PLAN STRAITJACKET FOR OTHER IWI
The proposed shared management of the Waikato River between the Crown and Tainui will have major implications for other tribes.
That's the view of Maanu Paul, who for many years has challenged authorities over the pollution of the Whakatane River.
An agreement in principle for a Waikato River settlement was signed in Hamilton on the weekend.
Maannu Paul says other iwi will have to fall into line with Tainui deal, if it is ratified by tribe members.
“What it does do is set a precedent so those tribes who want to negotiate the running of their rivers have to conform to a model that has been set by both the Crown and Tainui,” Mr Paul says.
HARRIS WHANAU ESTABLISHING PROUD TRACK TRADITION
The Harris whanau from Te Atiawa is in line to create history in the sport of Kings.
18 year old jockey Troy Harris is leading the apprentice premiership with 47 wins.
If his good form continues he will join his uncles and father Noel Harris, all former top apprentices.
His grandfather was also a formidable hoop in his day, winning the Auckland Cup.
Noel Harris says Troy has come back well after breaking both legs in a fall two years ago, and he's a well balanced rider and a quick learner.
“He's got two months to go and he’s six winners in front. My oldest brother John, he won the premiership as an apprentice. Des, he won the apprenticeship and myself, so it would be nice if Troy could hang on for the season,” Mr Harris says.
In the five races the two have ridden in, Troy has yet to beat his old man.
INDIGENOUS RELIGIONS STRONG
A member of the New Zealand delegation to this week's Asia Pacific Interfaith Dialogue at Waitangi says indigenous religions are strong in the region.
The Dialogue, which is a response to the 2002 Bali bombings, aims to promote moderate religions as a counter to the sort of religious fanaticism which can be linked to terrorism.
Manuka Henare says the region is known for the diversity of its religions, and there are long histories of tolerance and respect.
“In the Asia Pacific the religions of the indigenous people are very strong, so while many of us may belong to one of the big global religious like Buddhism and Islam and Christianity, culturally speaking we are still very very close to the religions of old, our ancient religions,” he says.
Mr Henare says Maori ancestors were comfortable to integrate aspects of Christianity into their spiritual life without completely abandoning their traditional beliefs.
IWI MOURNS LOSS OF ANCESTRAL HOUSE
Ngati Kahungunu ki Pouakani has today been grieving the loss of its meeting house Tamatea Pokai Whenua in Mangakino.
The house on Poaukani Marae burned down in an early morning blaze.
Fire Service national adviser Piki Thomas says the fire destroyed most of its carvings and irreplaceable photos of ancestors.
Mr Thomas says fortunately the marae stored its mattresses in a separate area, which effectively reduced the amount of fuel to the fire.
“The majority of the burning occurred in the meeting house. The dining room has obvious smoke and heat damage, but at least that’s still standing. That can’t be said for the whare tupuna unfortunately,” he says.
Mr Thomas says the fire should serve as a warning to other marae about the need to install smoke alarms and sprinkler systems.
LATE CONSULTATION AN INSULT TO TE ARAWA
A member of Te Arawa's local government standing committee says a last minute consultation on Environment Bay of Plenty's plans to move its headquarters from Whakatane to Tauranga is an insult.
Hawea Vercoes says Rotorua is a major contributor to the region's infrastructure, but the regional council is treating its views as an after-thought.
“This is nearly a month after submissions have closed and only three days before they are due to make their decision on the whole proposal, and it just seems a really tokenistic approach,” Mr Vercoe says.
The move has been widely criticised by iwi, because it will put the council's administrative centre away from most of the region's Maori population.
posted by Adam | 9:05 pm
2 Comments:
A recent development for the iwi of Rongowhakaata (ie 30. Sept. 2007). There have been 5 consecutive votes of no confidence cast with regard the Rongowhakata Charitable Trust. Each vote has been cast at properly advertised and constituted Hui a Iwi and Annual General Meetings, but each vote is neither not acknowledged nor recognised by the sitting Trustees.
Because the Rongowhakaata Trust Deed has no process for dispute resolution, nor Trustee Performance we struggle as a people to be heard and no longer have a voice in our own iwi business or future determinations. At a recent Annual General Meeting it was determined by the majority of the iwi members present, including Kaumatua and a number of marae Trustees that the election process used by The Rongowhakaata Charitable Trust be deemed invalid. The motion was tabled and passed and another election called. The motion was ignored and the Trust have reinstituted themselves, without the support of the iwi members. Annual Finance Reports have been rejected.
It is in the interest of other iwi to be alert and ever vigilant of the very institutes they mandate to represent them. In 2003 a review of the Trust and its functions was motioned and passed by the iwi members, in 2007 we are still denied the opportunity to ensure we have quality leadership, transparent processes, good consultation and good communication.
I am spreading the word to other iwi to be aware sometimes our worst enemies are in our own backyards. Kia Mataara.
A recent development for the iwi of Rongowhakaata (ie 30. Sept. 2007). There have been 5 consecutive votes of no confidence cast with regard the Rongowhakata Charitable Trust. Each vote has been cast at properly advertised and constituted Hui a Iwi and Annual General Meetings, but each vote is neither not acknowledged nor recognised by the sitting Trustees.
Because the Rongowhakaata Trust Deed has no process for dispute resolution, nor Trustee Performance we struggle as a people to be heard and no longer have a voice in our own iwi business or future determinations. At a recent Annual General Meeting it was determined by the majority of the iwi members present, including Kaumatua and a number of marae Trustees that the election process used by The Rongowhakaata Charitable Trust be deemed invalid. The motion was tabled and passed and another election called. The motion was ignored and the Trust have reinstituted themselves, without the support of the iwi members. Annual Finance Reports have been rejected.
It is in the interest of other iwi to be alert and ever vigilant of the very institutes they mandate to represent them. In 2003 a review of the Trust and its functions was motioned and passed by the iwi members, in 2007 we are still denied the opportunity to ensure we have quality leadership, transparent processes, good consultation and good communication.
I am spreading the word to other iwi to be aware sometimes our worst enemies are in our own backyards. Kia Mataara.
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