Tainui river settlement inches closer

The shared management deal of the Waikato River signed yesterday betweeen Tainui and the Crown signals a new era for the tribe.

That's the view of Tainui Chairman Tukuroirangi Morgan.

He says the welfare of the river has always been at the heart of iwi concerns and yesterdays signing now gives the tribe the legislative muscle to ensure the river between Hamilton and Port waikato suffers no further degradation.

Mr Morgan says a lot of the finer detail still has to be worked through, a long term startegy is needed to restore the mana of the river.

MAORI COLLECTIVE INTEREST IN DAIRY SECTOR

The stage is set for iwi to collaborate and take advantage of a growing worldwide demand for milk products.

Last week dairying giant Fonterra announced a rise in the price for milk fat solids, which is good news for the dairying sector.

Roger Pikia an executive member of the Federation of Maori authorities says recent discussions between post settlement iwi pave the way more substantial investment.

PA SITE FOUND ON NEW TOWN

A pa site predating Ngai Tahu has been uncovered at the site of a new township being built north of Christchurch.

Ngai Tuahuriri liasion and cultural advisor to Pegasus town Te Marino Lenihan says the pa is believed to be 500 to 600 years old.

He says archaeologists have discovered fence-post bases, housing structures, greenstone chips, bones, and hunting weapons.

Mr Lenihan says the discovery is significant as fortified pa were uncommon in that era, and is close to the largest of the local historical greenstone industry sites.

Pegasus town is being built from scratch 25km north of Christchurch and is expected to eventually house 5000 people.

KUDOS DUE TO NEW TREATY MINISTER

Tainui Chairman Tukoroirangi Morgan has paid tribute to the new Minsister of Treaty negotiations.

Yestarday the waikato based iwi signed an historic agreement granting them co-management with the Crown of the waterway between Hamilton and Port Waikato.

Mr Morgan says while the finer details are still to be worked through, the agreement shows Tainui are near the final leg of their 150 year struggle for justice.

Mr Morgan says the lead negotiator for yesterday’s signing deserves kudos.

TANGATA WHENUA LEFT OUT OF ISLAND RESTORATION

Tangata whenua are concerned they are being left out of a Conservation Department plan to eradicate pests from Hauraki Gulf islands.

The department intends to remove rat, mice, stoats, feral cats, rabbits and hedgehogs from Rangitoto and Motutapu Islands, and reintroduce kiwi, kaka, tuatara and mistletoe.

Peter Turei from Ngati Paoa and Ngai Tai says as kaitiaki, the iwi are keen to know how they can participate in the planning and implementation of the project.

Pita Turei says the Conservation Department held a workshop last week for restoration trusts and other groups with interest in the Hauraki Gulf ... but only asked Ngati Paoa in to open the event.

SALLIES EYE MAORI SOULS

The Salvation Army hopes to boost its services to Maori.

The Army has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Social Development which could lead to an increase in services and more strategic input into the ministry's planning.

Major Campell Roberts, the chief executive, says the agreement is designed to increase the number of social services provided by the Sallies, but gives them the ability to talk at a strategic level about community's needs.

He says Maori make up a significant percentage of their clients, and the Salvation Army has always valued the relationship they have with the Maori community.