Manukau mayor guided by tribunal

The country's longest serving mayor is crediting the Waitangi Tribunal for giving his council a solid footing to work with Maori.

Sir Barry Curtis is stepping aside after 23 years leading Manukau City, and almost 40 years of public office.

Shortly after he first put on the mayoral chains, the Waitangi Tribunal released its Manukau Claim report, detailing the grievances of tribes around the Manukau Harbour.

Sir Barry says its findings were a solid foundation to work from.

“We have set in place memorandums of understanding with the various marae. We’ve got 23 urban marae in Manukau. We’re worked very closely on environmental issues. We have of course the Treaty of Waitangi committee where we have appointed members from mana whenua and taura here, working with Manukau City Council, so we have a very rich partnership in place,” Sir Barry says.

However, Manukau's relationships with tangata whenua don't always run smoothly.

The council yesterday removed Ngai Tai Umupuia representative James Brown from its Tiriti o Waitangi standing committee because of alleged threats against councilors and staff.

Sir Barry says Mr Brown has made positive contributions in the past, but recent behaviour was unacceptable.

MAORI NOT GETTING SHARE OF ANTI-VIOLENCE FUNDS

Maori organisations aren't getting the resources they need to combat family violence.

Jozie Karanga from Te Korowai Aroha o Aotearoa, a Maori social work training organisation, says most of the new funding goes to government agencies like Child, Youth and Family and police.

$60 million over four years was set aside in the last budget for family violence prevention.

Ms Karanga says Maori organisations and initiatives are seeing little of it.

“Certainly the organisations that we advocate for have worked in this area for many years, 30 or 40 years. We know what the needs are. We already work collaboratively with one another and with government departments because we have to, and yet we’re still under-resourced,” she says.

Ms Karanga says Maori whanau in strife are more likely to engage with non-government Maori organisations.

AIO PUTS TUNKS IN APRA FINAL

A Maori songwriter says inclusion in the finals for the Maioha Award makes her feel a part of a strong and growing tradition.

Aio, by Andrea Tunks and her husband Pierre Tohe, is up for the te reo section of the Apra Silver Scrolls, which will be decided next month.

The song is about peace and the simple but good things in life.

Ms Tunks, from Te Whanau Apanui and Te Whakatohia, says the award is the pinnacle for recordings in te reo Maori.

“It has a legacy of some great Maori musicians having been awarded the Maioha award so it is exciting. It’s exciting to know your material or your work is considered serious enough or good enough to be part of it,” she says.

Ms Tunks beleives Aio has crossover potential - if it can get mainstream airplay.

Other finalists are Poti, written by Mika, Taupuhi Toki, Mokoera Te Amo, and Kingi Williams, and Tenei Tamaiti by Marian Mare.

MAORI EDUCATION STRATEGY UNVEILED

A new draft Maori education strategy targets teacher attitudes as a key to improving performance of Maori students.

Ka Hikitia, which was released today, builds on research programmes such as Te Kotahitanga which have changed the way teachers interact with students.

Parekura Horomia, the associate minister of Education, says Maori students must be able to succeed as Maori, without giving up their culture.

He says a lot depends on the leadership students get, and that means teaching the teachers.

“At 12, 13, 14 you certainly take into account whoever’s trying to teach you or lead you or whatever else and this certainly is a way. If you keep the leadership strong, if you keep the teachers strong, then the pupil will end up being strong and able to make the best choices for themselves,” Mr Horomia says.

Ka Hikitia also calls for students to have access to high quality Maori language eudcation, and for family, whanau and iwi engagement in the educaiton of their tamariki.

MOKO HEAD OF MAORI BAPTIST CHURCH

The Maori arm of the Baptist church has a new head.

He's David Moko from Te Arawa, whose ministry and mission work has taken him from Aotearoa to the Pacific region, Australia, Asia and North and Central America.

Now he's back, Mr Moko wants to expand the Maori Ministry's economic base, as well as continue with its religious mission.

He says there's no question who he's answerable to.

IN: Obviously I want to represent firstly God, because he’s my ultimate employer in this role, and secondly my iwi, Te Arawa, and thirdly iwi katoa,” Mr Moko says.

He took over as tumuaki from Sam Emery, who is retiring.

MAORI LOSE ALLY IN NZ RUGBY LEAGUE

The head of Maori Rugby League says the code lost a powerful advocate and statesman with the death of Ron McGregor.

The former Kiwi was farewelled by hundreds of players, administrators and supporters at Auckland's St Mathews in the City this afternoon.

Howie Tamati says Ron McGregor was a man of integrity as a New Zealand representative in the 1940s, in his roles on the sport's international governing board, and as chair of both Auckland and New Zealand Rugby League.

He says Mr McGregor welcomed Maori input into every level of the game.

“The game flourished in his time and at that time the New Zealand Maori Rugby League were part of the New Zealand Rugby League board, they actually sat in on the board meetings. At least there was a presence around the table where the New Zealand Maori Rugby League were represented and had their views listened to, So that in itself is a credit to Ron McGregor,” Mr Tamati says.