Maori Oz migration mapped

Maori across the Tasman could get more support from Te Puni Kokiri if the recommendations of a new report are heeded.

The report estimated more than 100 thousand Maori live in Australia, drawn by economic opportunity and the chance to leave behind Pakeha negativity about Maori issues.

The Minister of Maori Affairs says it’s a valuable document.

Parekura Horomia, who launched the report in Sydney on Saturday, says Maori in Australia are keen to have more contact with the Maori development ministry.

“Well they drove a fair bit of it. They’ve been trying to get together, clear things. There’s been no benchmark, framework, baseline, of why people are there and what they do to survive,” Mr Horomia says.

He wants to go back later in the year to get feedback, and he's considering a suggestion for a hui taumata of Australian Maori Leaders.

STROKE CARE NOT REACHING YOUNGER MAORI

Researchers have identified disparities in the way Maori stroke victims are treated.

The Maori and Pacific Stroke Study has been looking at the experiences of Auckland women from different ethnic groups.

Study member Matire Harwood says survival rates were good for all groups, reflecting the fact that people were getting into hospital quickly and using rehabilitation units to help recover.

But Maori women are ending up in a more disabled state after discharge, with problems walking, dressing themselves or speaking.

“A lot of the stroke care is funded by the Ministry of Health for those people over the age of 65, whereas because we are a younger population, many Maori are having their stroke younger that that age, so they’re having to wait longer before they get the proper rehabilitation,” Dr Harwood says.

The research should lead to more care in the community and improve outcomes for Maori people and their whanau.

DIRECT FLIGHT TO NORTH AMERICAN BEACHHEAD

Maori artists looking to make it big in North America have a more direct route thanks to a new air link.

Air New Zealand will fly direct to Vancouver from November.

Toi Maori Aotearoa has been promoting Maori art for the past four years into the region, from northern California to British Columbia.

Garry Nichols, its general manager, says the push has had strong support from the airline and from Tourism New Zealand.

He says Toi Maori is keen to add its brand to the new service, which will benefit the airline and the artists.

“It's a great opportunity for us to be seen as part of that cutting edge. The businesses that can then take advantage of those direct flights are going to be those that want to expand their business into Canada, and flying there is much better process than all the way through LA or San Francisco or Hawaii,” Mr Nicholas says.

He'll be on the first flight, along with artist brother Darcy Nicholas, storyteller Joe Harawira, Air New Zealand's kapa haka group, singer Hollie Smith and a trade delegation led by Trade Minister Phil Goff.

CHILL BREEZE FOR HAND PICKED CLIMATE REPS

The Maori Council is challenging the way the Government has picked the two Maori members of a new climate change forum.

31 business and sector leaders, under the chairmanship of The Warehouse founder Stephen Tindall, will report to Climate Change Minister David Parker and Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen.

The forum includes two Maori - Timi te Heuheu, brother of Ngati Tuwharetoa paramount chief Tumu te Heuheu, and Apirana mahuika, the chair of Te Runanga o Ngati Porou.

Maanu Paul, a Maori Council executive member, says the Government is bypassing the council, which has a statutory duty to represent all Maori, and it is bypassing other representative Maori bodies.

“The Crown continues in this manner, and in doing so it marginalises Maori, because those two members, while personally they have high profile, they do not represent all Maori, and being token Maori is one of the worst sins in this country,” Mr Paul says.

The Government should fund the Maori Council to coordinate a national Maori response to climate change policies.

MAXWELL TRIES FOR THIRD SHOT AS MAYOR

The face Rotorua presents to the world is Maori, but not in the way it's governed.

Now its deputy mayor wants to change that.
After 30 years on the council, Trevor Maxwell is having one last tilt at the mayoralty.

He missed out last time by just 250 votes, so he's been on the hustings drumming up support.

If he wins, Mr Maxwell will break new ground.

“They've never had a Maori mayor since the inception, and bit of an indictment for our region I think, but we’ve had three deputy mayors: Pakake Leonard, Sir Peter Tapsell and myself. So we just need to take that big step up,” Mr Maxwell says.

GALLOPING GOUT NO CAUSE FOR SHAME

It's Arthritis appeal week, and researchers want to know why disproportionate numbers of Maori suffer ... and suffer .. from a crippling form of arthritis.

Toni Griffiths, from Arthritis New Zealand, says Maori seem to be particularly susceptible to gout, which is caused by the build up of uric acid around the joints.

She says many Maori feel that because it runs in their families, they have to live with it - but there are effective treatments available.

It's a disease many people feel whakamaa of having.

“A lot of people ore a bit ashamed of it because people say ‘oh yes, you must live the high life, you drink too much and you must eat all the rich food.’ Well in fact there is an element of food in terms of developing and having flares of gout, but that is not the main cause,” Ms Griffiths says.

Arthritis New Zealand is working with district health boards to develop programmes for Maori to help with the self management of gout and other forms of arthritis.