Dolphin sanctuary excludes Maori

A new plan to protect the Hector's and Maui's dolphins is being seen as a threat to the Maori fisheries settlement.

Sonny Tau, the head of the Ngapuhi Rungaga, says the plan developed by the Fisheries Ministry and the Department of Conservation is flawed because it is based on anecdote and hearsay rather than scientific fact.

Set netting is currently banned on the North Island west coast from Maunganui Bluff near Dargaville to just north of New Plymouth, out to four nautical miles.

The plan is to push fishing bans out to 12 miles and into the west coast harbours, creating a 1.2 million hectare sanctuary.

Mr Tau says the moves will give the dolphins no more protection than they get now, but it will have a devastating effect of commercial, recreational and customary fishers.

“That's where Ngapuhi is up in arms in terms of our customary (fisheries) and the ability to feed our tamariki. A lot of our people set net for mullet and flounder, and that will be all down the tubes if they implement this strategy,” Mr Tau says.

He says there have been no Maui's dolphins killed by fishing-related activities since the fishing industry implemented voluntary controls.

HEALTH PROVIDERS NETWORK

Praise for Maori health providers in the south.

Mahara Okeroa, the MP for Te Tai Tonga, says a hui in Riverton yesterday of providers showed the sector was in good heart with a developing skill base.

The hui included the Child Youth and Family Service, Alcoholic Liquor Advisory Service and other social agencies, giving the providers the opportunity to develop their networks.

Mr Okeroa says it is changing the health status of Maori people.

“The Maori Health providers have been in business for a long time and they have been able not only to build their skill bases but also to own their delivery to an extent that they service our people across a whole range of our needs that is absolutely excellent,” Mr Okeroa says.

GUMFIELDS HISTORY REMEMBERED ON RUGBY FIELD

A unique relationship forged in the gumfields of the north will be celebrated on a west Auckland rugby field this weekend.

The annual Tarara Cup is played between Auckland Maori and a New Zealand based Croatian team.

It dates back more than 50 years, and was revived five years ago after a 10 year break caused by tensions in the Croatian community over the break up of the former Yugoslavia.
Michael Gugich, the Croatian manager, says he's been talking to his squad at training about the significance of the Tarara Cup.

“Remind the guys of what this game means to our forefathers and to our current crop of young fellows coming through, just to let them know that this here we’re playing for a proud history, the Tarara Cup, and the history we’ve had two people together,” Mr Gugich says.

The Croatians will be keen to turn around last year's result, when they narrowly lost to the Maori team in Kaitaia.

PROTESTERS AGAIN CLEARED FROM TAUPO DEVELOPMENT

Builders are back on site at Acacia Bay after police foiled an attempt to reoccupy a disputed block of Maori land.

A man and an elderly woman were arrested on the Taupo lakeside land Hiruharama Ponui Trust has leased to developer Symphony Group.

They'll appear in Taupo District Court next week.

It's the latest in a series of attempts by minority shareholders to block the development, which they say is on a waahi tapu.

Dan Hakaraia, Symphony Group's development manager, says since the protests started in June the Maori land Court and the District Court have rejected those claims and upheld the trust's decisions.

He says it's time to move ahead.

“Our contractors have resumed work and getting on with the development of the lakeside retreats which is what we are currently building, and we’ve certainly got plans as we always have to get on and develop it as a prestige residential development and also hotel block,” Mr Hakaraia says.

TURIA SETTING DEPARTURE TIMETABLE

Pita Sharples says the Maori Party will survive the departure of his co-leader.

There is speculation Tariana Turia won't contest the next election, after she told an interviewer she wanted to spend more time with her family.

Her office says the Te Tai Hauauru MP intends to contest the next election.

But Dr Sharples told Waatea News the party's caucus has known for at least 6 months that she will probably retire after the next term.

He's sure a suitable successor will be found who shares Mrs Turia's commitment to the party's kaupapa.

“We're hoping to capture the whole seven seats at the next election and hopefully perhaps a woman can come through somewhere, I don’t know, I would hope so. Youth and women are what we probably need to invest in for our future,” Mr Sharples says.

MAORI ANGLICAN CHURCH LOOKS AT GAY RESPONSE

The Maori Anglican Church is this weekend asking some hard questions about its responses to homosexuality and transgender issues.

Bishop Muru Walters has invited the Human Rights Commission and the Aids Foundation to a hui at Waiwhetu Marae in Lower Hutt on the church's perception of sexuality.

Writer Anton Blank, who is speaking at the hui, says the church needs to be responsive to changes in society.

“With law changes and things like that they’re having to think about ‘OK, what does that mean for us?’ And I’m hoping the hui will be a chance to embrace diversity and invite gay men and lesbian women into their communities,” Mr Blank says.

He says for Maori, excluding people because of their sexual orientation weakens the structure of the whanau.

PASCHENDAELE SLAUGHTER RECALLED

The sound of a kouau split the Flanders dawn a short time ago as hundreds of New Zealanders gathered on the First World war battlefield to remember the slaughter at Paschendaele.

One of the group, Labour list MP Shane Jones, says it was a haunting and moving service.

He says the hundreds of young New Zealanders who flock each year to Gallipoli may also want to come to the poppy fields of Flanders, because there lies the nation's youth.

Broadcasters facing the Facebook future

Te Puni Kokiri is planning for a world where kanohi ki te kanohi means logging in to Facebook.

The Maori development ministry is today holding a hui in Wellington for broadcasting licence holders, iwi leaders and language planners, to discuss the future of Maori broadcasting and electronic media.

Paula Collins, the ministry's policy manager, says preferences are changing, with many rangatahi getting their information and entertainment from Internet channels.

“They are more and more turning away from radio. Television remains their number one option. However that may not always be the case. So we don not want to leave it up to chance. We want to make sure that Maori language and culture and Maori stories and a Maori voice is going to be heard,” Ms Collins says.

Even the veterans of iwi radio are saying they need to have options so they're serving the 16-year-old rangatahi as well as the 100 year old kaumatua.

MOU SHOULD IMPROVE POUTINI HEALTH

Maori on the West Coast should enjoy better access to health services as the result of an understanding between the coast's two runanga and the district health board.

Richard Wallace, the chair of Maori health advisory group Tatau Pounamu, says the memorandum spells out cultural values and the board's obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi.

He says it gives Poutini Ngai Tahu a voice at the board level, and will lead to better outcomes for all Maori on the Coast.

“We're going to see how we can address inequalities of health that is supplied to Maori, and also it’s a way of us getting out there to reach those Maori who are not accessing the health system,” Mr Wallace says.

Historically Maori on the West Coast have often waited too long before they sought treatment for health problems.

INDIGENOUS TRANS TASMAN CLASH

A clash between the best young Maori and Aboriginal league players is long overdue ... and should make for a great game.

That's the view of Tony Kemp, the New Zealand Rugby League's high performance director, to the curtain-raise for Sunday's Centenary trans-Tasman test in Wellington.

He says tangata whenua from both countries have been major contributors to the code over the years, and deserve centre stage

“The indigenous families from both Australia and New Zealand need to be recognised at international level. There should be at some stage curtain raisers for this game, and this (being) the main game, but I think we’ve got to start somewhere and to get it recognized on the main stage as a curtain raiser to the Kiwis is a stepping stone to what hopefully has got to be part of our calendar in future years,” Mr Kemp says.

KAHUNGUNU BRINGING UN DECLARATION HOME

Ngati Kahungunu is inviting New Zealanders to endorse the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Ngahiwi Tomoana, the chair of the Hawkes Bay and Wairarapa iwi, says the government is playing up New Zealand as a multi-ethnic society, while downplaying the rights of tangata whenua.

Mr Tomoana, who was part of a Maori delegation to last month's UN Human Rights Committee session in Geneva, says that's not good enough for Kahungunu.

“We've adopted the Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples. We’re going to invite every other New Zealander, organisation to adopt it, including the Ethnic Council, including the Pacific Island peoples, and we’re going to move it that way,” Mr Tomoana says.

Ngai Tahu, Hauraki, Ngai Tamanuhiri and other iwi will join Ngati Kahungunu at Ruahapia marae in Hastings tomorrow to adopt the declaration as a group.

DIGITAL ONSLAUGHT COMING

The Maori Development Ministry wants Maori to be ready for the oncoming digital onslaught.

It's holding a hui in Wellington today on the emergence of new media technologies which are changing the nature of broadcasting.

Paula Collins, Te Puni Kokiri's policy manager, says Maori have made a huge investment in broadcasting as as way of preserving language and culture.

But she says more investment in information and communications technologies is needed to maintain and grow the Maori audience.

“By sort of 2030, most of the world’s economy is going to be driven by things like ICT, nanotechnology, biotechnology, neurotechnology and of that, ICT will make up 80 percent of the world’s economy. From an economic perspective it’s important that we ensure Maori are right in the middle of all that and have the necessary skills and infrastructure to participate well in that environment,” Ms Collins says.

She says rangatahi Maori are increasingly getting their information from Internet sources like social-networking sites, and iwi need to respond.

CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS GET SHARP FOLLOWING

A veteran curator believes interest in contemporary Maori artists is outstripping that for their more traditionally-minded colleagues.

Helen Kedgley from Porirua's Pataka Museum and Gallery, is giving a lecture tonight in Napier's Century Theatre on emerging Maori artists.

She says while artists working with traditional materials and themes have an audience, the more urban artists are winning critical and market success.

“Shane Cotton, Michael Parekowhai, Reuben Patterson, Peter Robinson, Darren George, Kelsey Taratoa. There’s a significant group of young Maori artists who are having tremendous success, not only in New Zealand but internationally’” Ms Kedgley says.

Treaty resources needed

OCTOBER 11 BULLETIN 2
National's leader believes more resources need to be put into the treaty claims sector to ensure durable settlements.

On the 32nd anniversary of its creation, John Key says the Waitangi Tribunal has provided a valuable forum for Maori to put forward their claims and the rationale as to why they are legitimate.

But he says it's clear the tribunal continues to be under-resourced, which puts pressure on what is already an extremely complex and time-consuming process.

“Even with all the money in the world, which it doesn’t have, but if it did, there are still bottlenecks around the historians and the people who can credibly pass judgment on these issues,” Mr Key says.

He says it's no good to iwi or to the country if settlements aren't durable, so it's important to get things right from the start.

GRANTS FOR NUTRITION PLANS

Nelson Malborough District Health Board is handing out money to improve nutrition in the community.

Richard Butler from the board's nutrition and physical activity programme says $5000 mini-contracts are available for Maori-led nutrition initiatives, and community projects which support vulnerable people and families

There are also micro grants of up to $1000, with priority given to Maori to develop their own responses to improving whanau nutrition.

He says groups have until the second of November to apply for the funds, which can be used for anything from growing gardens to running exercise programmes.

“The best outcome for us is that some of the groups that receive the small contracts, the $5000 initiatives, that they will be coming back to us or other funders or have the resources to sustain the initiatives that they trial with these grants and small contracts,” Mr Butler says.

Nelson Malborough District Health Board's long term objective is to lower rates of obesity, diabetes and cardiac disease in the community.

TATTOOED HEAD RETURNING FROM FRANCE

A tattooed head imprisoned in a French museum for more than 130 years is coming home.

The koiwi was given to the Museum d'Rouen by a private collector in 1875.

Herewini Te Koha, Te Papa's acting manager of repatriation, says the return of the head later this month followed a call for the return of all Maori remains from musem collections around the world.

He hopes the Rouen decision sets a precedent for that country.

The Rouen head was removed from the permanent display in 1996.

SIO DEFENDS MANUKAU ANALYSIS

A Manukau City councilor is standing by his view the country's largest Polynesian city won't elect a Maori and Pacific Island mayor this time round.

Su'a William Sio has come under fire from mayoral candidates Arthur Anae and Willie Jackson for his prediction, made during an interview with a Pacific Island radio station.

The two former MPs say the Otara ward representative's comments are belittling, and could discourage Maori and Pacific island people from voting.

But Mr Sio says he's just giving his analysis of voter sentiment and behaviour in a city where Maori and Pacific Island people make up 43 percent of the population.

“We aspire to have a Maori or a Pacific mayor for Manukau City, and Manukau City will certainly deserve a Maori or Pacific mayor, but during this election period, I do not believe of the candidates that are there, that the voters will vote for that,” Mr Sio says.

Voters will be looking at a candidate's track record rather than the colour of their skin.

ENTERTAINMENT A BUSINESS, OLD TIMERS SHOW

The Minister of Maori Affairs wants to see more Maori succeed in the entertainment business.

Parekura Horomia opened today's Maori Entertainers' Music Conference in west Auckland, which is offering musicians young and old a chance to learn from each other and from industry veterans.

He says talent doesn't guarantee success, and Maori performers have long known they need business smarts as well.

“You go back to the Quin Tikis, Sir Howard, Tui Teka, Dalvanius, in their own right they were business and entrepreneur icons but this next couple of days are a serious look at the opportunities in TV, the movie world, the stage world. It’s a huge business and it’s a thing I believe we’re naturally good at,” he says.

Tomorrow, Parekura Horomia will be attending hui in Wellington on Maori broadcasting and electronic media organised by Te Puni Kokiri.

WIKI COMMISERATES ON ALL BLACK LOSS

Rugby League great Reuben Wiki has some words of commiseration for the defeated All Blacks.

The former Kiwis captain says he's been in enough losing test sides to know how Richie McCaw and his squad will be feeling now they're home from the World Cup.

Mr Wiki is in Wellington hoping to inspire this year's Kiwi squad to salvage some pride for the country by beating Australia on Sunday.

Small iwi squeezed in talks

OCTOBER 11 BULLETIN 1

Small iwi and hapu are the big losers when large iwi enter direct negotiations with the Crown for their Treaty settlements.

That's the view of Metiria Turei, a lawyer and Maori affairs spokesperson for the Greens.

She says it's right that Ngati Porou should investigate the best options for settling their historical claims ... whether through the Waitangi Tribunal or the Office of Treaty Settlements.

But she has concerns for smaller iwi and hapu in the region ... who, she says, will struggle ... because they don't have the financial or human resources of larger iwi.

“It's going to alright
OUT: direct negotiations with OTS," Ms Turei says.

NEW CHRISTCHURCH RESERVE PLANNED

The site of a significant South Island battle in 1830 will be protected as an historic reserve ... following a decision by the Christchurch City Council.

It's a 14 hectare stretch between Akaroa and Onuku Marae and includes Takapuneke ... where Te Rauparaha and a hundred of his Ngati Toa warriors from the north attacked a Ngai Tahu settlement.

They'd come down ... so the story goes ... hidden in the hull of an English ship ... the Elizabeth ... and in a further bit of trickery had enticed on board the local ariki ... Te Maiharanui ... and captured him as a prelude to the surprise attack.

In recent years there've been concerns raised by the Onuku Marae and by the Historic Places Trust that the site could be sold to developers.

George Tikao ... who chairs the Onuku Runanga ... says they haven't yet had the good news from the council, but they'd welcome any move that would keep the developers away from Takapuneke.


NELSON FESTIVAL SPARKS NEW GROUPS

Two new musical groups have been formed for the Nelson Arts Festival which starts today.

"Village of the Idiots" is a group of musos from various New Zealand bands ... such as Fat Freddy's Drop and the Black Seeds ... while "Ipurangi" is a gathering of performers from very different areas of Maori music.

Ipurangi is presenting song over traditional taonga puoro... in what the festival organisers are calling ... "sublime music from an ancient sound world."

Waimihi Hotere... who'll be singing with Ipurangi... says her approach is different from the classically trained opera singer ... Mere Boynton... who's also in the group ... and she expects that to be an interesting counterpoint.

The Nelson Arts Festival opens today... and Ipurangi will be playing at the Nelson Cathederal on Saturday night.

MORE PETERS ON LOCAL GOVERMENT POLLING

Winston Peters ... the Minister of Foreign Affairs ... is signalling dismay at the lack of interest so far among Maori voters in the local body elections.

He says Maori have been among the many Kiwi soldiers who've given their lives through the years, fighting for democracy ... in effect, fighting for the right of New Zealanders to vote.

Mr Peters believes too many Maori are ignoring their opportunity to have a say in who runs their communities ... and shrugging off what he sees as a responsibility to vote.

Mr Peters argues that if Maori were to vote ... and vote en masse ... they'd wield considerable political power... but they're letting the chance go by.

WARDEN COURSE NOT POLICE FOCUSED

One of the Maori police running the wananga for Maori wardens this month says there is no intention to turn them into cops.

Paddy Whiu, the iwi liason officer for the Taitokerau District is one of 3 staff in charge of the course... which starts on Sunday at the Police College in Porirua.

He says the wardens roopu, drawn from six regions, won't be learning how to apprehend criminals, that's a police job.

Mr Whiu says the Maori wardens just want to concentrate on what's relevant to their line of work... such as doing point duty... to keep roadways safe during hui and tangi.

MUSIC EXPO PLANNED OUT WEST

Young Maori hoping to make it in the music business are being offered a chance to hear from those who know how it really works.

Bola Puletaha... from Te Whanau o Waipareira... is one of the coordinators of today's [THURSDAY] Maori Entertainers Music Conference... being held at the Waitakere Trust Stadium in West Auckland

He says there'll be plenty of experienced performers and industry heavyweights on hand... including representatives from Te Mangai Paho and New Zealand On Air, record company bosses, recording studio managers, entertainment lawyers, and radio and music TV heads from here and Australia.

Mr Puletaha says it may serve as a reality check for some of the rangatahi, when they hear from more senior members of the entertainment industry.

However Bola Puletaha says it's not all doom and gloom... there is a possibility of work overseas... as well as back room jobs... in technical support.

Marae fights for eel supply

OCTOBER 10 BULLETIN 2

A Temuka marae ... with a reputation for being offering guests a good feed of eels ... is making moves to protect its dwindling supply.

Arowhenua Marae is applying to the MInistery of Fisheries for part of the Opihi and Orari river area to become a mataitai ... a traditional fishing ground for iwi.

Ernest Johnston ... who chairs the Mataitai committee chairman within the runanga ... says commercial eeling is reducing the number of eels ... and iwi are worried that they'll soon have none at all.

Mr Johnston says recreational fishers wouldn't be affected by the mataitai.

“Arowhenua's always well
OUT: 30, 40, 50 nets like they do,” he says.

Ernest Johnston said a mataitai could give the runanga and the local community an opportunity to manage the fishery back to a healthy, sustainable level again.

MORE ALCOHOL RESEARCH NEEDED

An historian ... who wrote a comprehensive report on Maori and alcohol some years ago ... is challenging Maori to continue the research.

Martin Hutt put the report together for the Alcohol Liquor Advisory Council in 1999.

He says it would be useful, for example, to gather more information about the historical moves by Ngapuhi and Ngai Tahu to limit the impact of alcohol on their communities ... and to find out more about prohibition days in the King Country.

Mr Hutt says it's also time to either confirm or dispell suggestions that Maori have a genetic pre-disposition towards alcohol abuse.

“Be great to see young Maori
OUT: is worth investigating,” Mr Hutt says.

OLDER ARTISTS TO SHARE TIPS

In the Far North ... emerging female artists will soon have a good opportunity to pick up hints ... perhaps inspiration too ... from those who've already made it.

Toi Wahine ... an exhibition, celebrating Maori women and their art is opening at The Art Bungalow in Kerikeri late this month.

Raewyn Howell ... who manages the Art Bungalow ... says the exhibition will be a mixture of the traditional and the contemporary ... including glass art, clay and paintings.

But she says there'll be a bonus for novice artists because they'll be able to spend some time at the exhibition with those who already have become well established ... Colleen Waata Urlich, for example, and Davina Duke, Carla Ruka, Theresa Reihana and June Grant.

Toi Wahine at the Art Bungalow in Kerikeri opens on October the 26th and will run for three weeks.

TRIBUNAL BIRTHDAY CELEBRATED

The MP for Taitokerau ... Hone Harawira ... is applauding one of the side effects of the creation of the Waitangi Tribunal.

It's the 32nd anniversary today of the passing of the legislation which paved the way for the tribunal.

And that occasion has prompted Mr Harawira to pay tribute to the Maori leaders ... Matiu Rata and Dame Whina Cooper in particular ... for their efforts leading up to that legislation.

But ... in reflecting on the tribunal's impact and achievements ... Mr Harawira says, quite apart from its decisions, there's been the huge benefit of the settlement process being the catalyst for extensive research into tribal histories.

“It's been great
LW tribunal research,” he says.

Hone Harawira says however, that it's time now to take another step so that ALL the Tribunal's recommendations are binding on the Crown.

MAORI TO BLAME FOR POLL APATHY

Winston Peters, the New Zealand First Leader, says if the Maori response to local body elections is poor, it is Maori themselves who are to blame ... and any apathy is inexcusable.

Postal votes need to be in by midday on Saturday ... and early indications are that the returns will be well down on the last election... and that Maori aren't voting in significant numbers.

Mr Peters says if that low turnout eventuates it's not right for Maori to blame the system.

He says Maori must shoulder the responsibility for voter apathy in their communities.

GLEN OSBORNE BACK FROM JOURNEY

A Maori sportsman ... renowned for his exuberant behaviour and his love of seafood has just survived two weeks in landlocked countries that used to be part of the Soviet Union... with not a drop of ocean in sight.

He's the 36 year old former All Black ... Glen Osborne ... who has just returned from Uzbekistan and Kyrgystan ... being filmed for an episode in the television travel series... Intrepid Journeys.

Not surprisingly ... he found that the locals didn't know a lot about New Zealand ... or even where it is ... let alone being au fait with Maori people and their tikanga. But he says he had a warm welcome.

Viewers may be surprised to see what a quiet, thoughtful, introspective Oz he can be in his Intrepid Journeys role.

Taonga case lodged again

OCTOBER 10 BULLETIN 1

The debate over whether a person can be a taonga looks set to return to the Waitangi Tribunal.

Last week the Tribunal refused to hear Rosina Hauiti's claim that denying residency to her Tongan husband breaches her Treaty rights.

Tuariki Delamere ... the immigration consultant acting for the couple ... says they may have got a step ahead of themselves.

He says ... in hindsight ... they should have established if a person COULD be considered a taonga under the Treaty ... before arguing that that applies to Ms Hauiti's husband.

Mr Delamere says he's sure similar cases will surface at some time.

IN: It's not just about Mr Fonua,
OUT: an important one to look at.
DUR: 18"

Tuariki Delamere says the couple will resubmit their claim to Judge Wainwright ... and are also looking at taking the matter to the High Court.

MORE ORGAN DONORS SOUGHT

Maori and Pacific Island patients in need of organ donations won't have much luck this year unless there's a dramatic increase in the number of donors ... particularly in the number of Polynesian donors.

Last year the sum total of New Zealand organ donors was 25 ... which nowhere meets the demand. And the shortfall for potential Maori and PI recipients is even more serious given the shoratge of Polynesian donors.

That's the picture painted by Sue Moroney, a Labour MP who's on the Parliamentary Health Select Committee. But she says it's wrong to assume that the apparent Maori reluctance to donate organs comes from one Maori stance on this issue. She says Maori have awide array of attitudes towards organ donation ... and that needs to be respected.

FW ....People have quite
LW.... there are several views
DUR 22"
Sue Moroney.

TE REO ALBUM RELEASED

A Tauranga lecturer ... who has released her own album in Te Reo Maori ... says she can see similarities between her approach and that of some of New Zealand's top Maori women songwriters.

Carol Storey is presenting a lecture at the University of Waikato at Tauranga today on the history of her Whakatohea tupuna ... Mokomoko ... who was executed by the Crown in 1866 ... and was the inspiration behind her album of the same name.

As part of her research for Master of Arts thesis ... Ms Storey interviewed Whirimako Black, Hinewehi Mohi and Moana Maniapoto all of whom have promoted music in te reo Maori ... even when, for two of them, it wasn't their first language.

“ What I felt i
OUT: just release it.
DUR: 19"

Carol Storey. Her lecture is part of the University of Waikato's series ... Musical Encounters in Aotearoa.

MCCARTEN SETS OUT ELECTORAL STRATEGY

Matt McCarten, best known as a strategist on the national political scene, is suggesting that Maori and Pacific Island candidates are up against it in the present local body elections - for at least two reasons.

One is that the pattern has been for Maori and PI voters to take little interest in local body elections even when they have candidates from their own ethnic communities.

And the other, he says, is that history shows that the majority of those who do vote in any of the local body contests have a habit of ticking the names of candidates towards the top of the alphabet ... and of preferring folk with Pakeha names.

It's partly a matter, he says, of voters being exhausted by choice when they've confronted by a ballot paper with dozens or scores of names on it.

“And they have
LW to come to the bottom,” Mr McCarten says.

By the way, if you haven't mailed your voting paper yet, you have only a couple more days to do so.

COURSES STARTING FOR WARDENS

For nearly 30 years Maori wardens have done the work that police might otherwise have been called on to do ... defusing situations here and there ... seeing that big occasions run smoothly.

But they've done that without much help from the Government ... and without training.

Now ... thanks to two and half million dollars of Government funding ... they're able to spend some money on transport, uniforms, and communications ... and they're taking the opportunity to train with the police as well.

In fact, Maori wardens from six rohe are now in Porirua doing a course at the Police Training College.

Jack Taumaunu ... the chairman of the Waitemata Maori Wardens ... says the help is a result of a Parliamentary review ... prompted by New Zealand First.

And the collaboration with the police ... he says ... is both welcome and long overdue.

“This is the first
OUT: there in the street,” Mr Taumaunu says.

NEW BIRTH UNIT OPENS

A new $7 million, 17 room birthing unit at Middlemore Hospital in South Auckland is being welcomed by Maori and Pacific Island families.

Tish Taihea ... a charge midwife at the unit ... which opened yesterday ... says it's well suited to the cultural needs of Maori and other Polynesian women who tend to have more people present when they're giving birth..

“It just reflects
OUT: who are immediately the birth,” Ms Taihea says.

The new unit replaces one which was designed for 3500 births a year, but had to cope with nearly 7000 last year.

Poverty focus for Bradford

OCTOBER 9 BULLETIN 2

The Green MP ... Sue Bradford ... is reminding New Zealanders that there's an international focus next week ... on October the 17th ... on the United Nations goal of eradicating extreme poverty.

She says that ... although there may be little hope of achieving that by the UN's target date of the year 2015 ... that's no excuse not to try.

But Ms Bradford is anxious that Kiwis don't lose sight of the Maori and Pacific poverty within our own communities ... or of the causes including the consequences of colonisation and the economic restructuring in the1980s.

“And in some ways
LW or Pasifika people,” Ms Bradford says.

GEOTHERMAL FIELD POTENTIAL TALKED UP

A trustee of a Maori geothermal attraction in Rotorua is cautioning other iwi about sharing the spoils from geothermal power.

Jim Grey says a recent discovery of a heat resistant micro-organism in one of Hell's Gates vents, may hold a clue to the beginnings of life ... and his board has registered its rights to any financial spinoffs from the find.

Now he's urging other Maori not to under-estimate the financial potential of their geothermal fields.

He says some are entering into joint ventures to develop their fields, and could be missing out on most of the profits.

“And when i hear
LW: the musket blanket stage,” Mr Grey says.

NGATI KAPO WANTING GUIDE DOGS IN WHARE

Ngati Kapo is still having a struggle to persuade a number of marae around the country to allow guide dogs into their whare tipuna.

Ngati Kapo is the Maori organisation looking after the interests of blind Maori and their whanau. And the chairman ... Maaka Tibble ... says it's disturbing that blind Maori can still be, in effect, excluded from discussions in their whare tipuna because their kuri ... their guide dogs ... aren't allowed.

He says the matter came up once again at Ngati Kapo's annual meeting ... their hui-a-tau ... in the Bay of Islands. And there's continuing concern because the practice of banning the dogs means many blind Maori aren't taking part in debates about important issues in their community.

“We've yet to have
OUT: full stop,” Mr Tibble says.

He says the stance is particularly strange given that some hapu proudly carry the name of significant kuri.

LEASE DEAL FOR OCEAN BEACH
A lease agreement on Maori land access to Ocean Beach is a total victory ... according to one of the objectors to the proposed sale.

Trustees and beneficiaries of the Pukepuke Tangiora Estate ... which owns the land ... spent six years in a wrangle with the Hastings District Council ... who wanted it for a public road to the beach and surf club.

Rose Mohi, from the Trust, says the agreement for a three-year lease instead was a better option for iwi ... who had never denied public access to the beach.

She says the fear was that once a road went through, more pockets of land would be taken.

IN: One of the important
OUT: our lands intact
DUR18"

Hastings District Council withdrew its application to the Maori Land Court for alienation of the land yesterday.

SIX O’CLOCK SWILL REMEMBERED

It's 40 years today since the end the six o clock swill, when a common routine was for men to flood into bars when they knocked off from work ... and gulp down as much amber fluid as they could manage before closing time at 6 pm.

A Wellington based historian ... Martin Hutt ... says Maori women who lived through that period of New Zealand's history ... don't regret its demise. He says ... for 50 years ... it contributed to a binge drinking culture that Maori have found hard to shake.

Martin Hutt is the author of a comprehensive report on Maori and alcohol, and its impact on generations of tangata whenua.

He says fortunately Maori attitudes to drinking have changed since that day in 1967 ... a change welcomed by most wahine.

“Absolutely I mean 1
OUT: lasted so long really
Dur...24 sec

Martin Hutt says he hopes young Maori researchers will now expand on his report.

STUNT MAN BOUGHT HOME FOR BURIAL

The tuupaapaku of Conway Wickliffe, returned home from England this morning.

The special effects expert died last month when a camera car he was in crashed while trailing a stunt vehicle on a test run in Surrey... where he was working on the latest Batman film.

A whanau member ... Russell Karu ... says the tuupaapaku will travel to Te Pae O Hauraki before heading to Te Kuiti where Conway's wife, Derryn Chase, is from.

Mr Karu says the family hadn't yet finalised burial plans.

Mr Wickliffe ... who was 41 and originally from Paeroa ... was an expert in special effects ... particularly in building vehicles for movies ...such as Batmobiles that could jump ... or a four wheel drive Aston Martin for Special Agent 007.

He worked on a number of blockbusters ... like the James Bond movies Casino Royale and Die Another Day ... as well as the Tomb Raider films, Black Hawk Down, Harry Potter 4 and The Da Vinci Code.

National off Green Dance Card

OCTOBER 9 BULLETIN 1

The Green MP ... Sue Bradford ... says she can't see her party joining up in a coalition with the National Party in the wake of next year's general election..

She says that there have been overtures to the Greens from National .... as there have been from National to the Maori Party ... and that has prompted some discussion within her party about possible coalition arrangements.

However Ms Bradford is clear about where she stands on the issue.

“On policies alone
OUT: a National government,” she says.

Sue Bradford says that while the Greens might support good environmental policies from National that's a far cry from suporting them in some kind of arrangement in government... a very far cry.

ORGANISM AT GATE OF HELL FOR GREY

The Trustees of Hell's Gate thermal village in Rotorua are claiming intellectual property rights to a micro-organism that may hold clues to the beginning of life.

Jim Grey, one of the Trustees says some overseas scientists are intrigued by the finding. It's an organism ... which now has a fancy scientific name ... Methylokorus Infernorum ... which hints at the koru shape of the steam and its turangawaewae in the Hell's Gate geothermal field.

The micro-organism is so tiny that if you could line up 300 of them ... end-to-end ... they'd only equal the width of one strand of human hair.

Mr Grey says there's considerable overseas interest because the organism's capacity to thrive in such hot water raises questions about its role in the Earth's early history.

He and the other trustees are fascinated by it.

“Under a high powered microscope
scientific world as well,” Mr Grey says.

ABORIGINAL UNDER 18 TEAM TO TOUR

A tour by an Aboriginal under-18 teams could lead on to test matches at the senior level.

Howie Tamati ... who chairs the New Zealand Maori Rugby League ... says that, although Australian officials have been supporting the junior indigenous team, there still isn't any similaris support for a senior squad.

But he's negotiating with the ARL to have fully professional Maori and Aboriginal teams... complete with their NRL players... facing off as the curtainraiser to next year's rugby league World Cup in Australia.

The last time a Maori team made an appearance at the World Cup was in 2000 in England where they were guests of the hosts.

Mr Tamati says games between the two rangatahi sides fits into the New Zealand Maori rugby league's plans for the future.

“Its a great opportunity
OUT: over the last month,” he says.

The New Zealand Maori u-18 team beat the Aborigines in Rotorua on Saturday, and they'll square off again in the curtain-raiser to this Sunday's trans-tasman test in Wellington.

FLAVELL UNDERSTANDS POROU POSITION

One of the most vocal critics of the Office of Treaty Settlements says he's not surprised Ngati Porou are considering stepping back from their claim to the Waitangi Tibunal and entering into direct negotiations with the OTS instead.

Te Ururoa Flavell ... the Maori Party MP for Waiariki ... says, with the money available for settling claims capped at $1.3 billion, a lengthy Waitangi Tribunal process holds limited appeal.

“Even though you
LW: an inevitable outcome,” he says.

Te Ururoa Flavell says iwi who enter into direct negotiations with the OTS need to go in with their eyes open ... and their heads up ... because the Crown Agency has a reputation for being uncooperative.

OLD LESSONS COULD BE BEST

How to hang on to Maori traditions in the face of constant change is not a new dilemma ... according to an historian who's working on a book about the relationship between a Tuhoe elder and a Pakeha ethnologist in the late 19th century.

Jeffrey Paparoa Holman decided to write "Best of Both Worlds", about the rare friendship between Tutakangahau and Elsdon Best, when he was studying Maori history for his doctorate at the University of Canterbury.

Mr Holman says Tutakangahau, explaining the impact of Christian missionaries... literacy... war and land loss ... relayed his knowledge to Mr Best ... who then wrote about Tuhoe in his book "Children of the Mist".

Their collaboration ... he says ... produced a classic account of a pivotal time in Maori history.

“Their place in
OUT: human response isn't it?” he says.

Jeffrey Paparoa Holman has won a $35,000 award to help his work on the book ... which should be out within two years.

FARM HUI SUYCCESSFUL

Maori women who work the land gathered in Auckland last week to talk about the challenges they face... and to look at new ways of running their farms.

The Wahine Whanau Whenua hui is now held twice a year... in spring and autumn.

Cathy Tait-Jamieson of Bio-Farms was at the hui ... and she says, naturally, one overall concern is the impact on farming incomes of the high New Zealand dollar.

But there was a wide range of talking points because ... as well as women from conventional farms like dairying ... there were others at the hui who are tackling innovative projects... such as growing saffron in the Far North ... or putting a new spin on an old classic in Taranaki.

“It's a traditional whanau.
OUT: very very exciting,” Ms Tait-Jamieson says.

And yes, you heard that correctly... Paua Pickle.

Mahuika keen to avoid OTS slips

OCTOBER 8. BULLETIN 2

The chairman of Te Runanga O Ngati Porou says they are determined to avoid the pitfalls encountered by other iwi who have opted to deal directly with the Office of Treaty Settlements.

Api Mahuika says he's optimistic tribal members will mandate the runanga to stop trying to get their claim heard by the Tribunal and sit down with OTS instead.

He says there is growing frustration among Ngati Porou at the delays in the Tribunal process.

Mr Mahuika says the runanga have been monitoring how negotiations with the Office of Treaty Settlements and other iwi have been proceeding.

“We've looked at the Ngati Whatua case
worthless pursuing anything at all,” Mr Mahuika.

Twenty-five thousand forms were delivered to eligible voters over the weekend and they have five weeks to respond.

SMOKING TARGETED IN COT DEATH CAMPAIGN

Smoking and also the habit of some Maori mums of sharing their bed with their babies, are again being highlighted as factors in keeping Maori cot death rates high.

The Ministry of Health says although there's been a decline in New Zealand cot deaths, Maori still made up about a third of the 45 cot deaths in 2004.

Pat Tuohy, the chief child advisor for the ministry, says babies whose mothers smoke while pregnant are almost six times more likely to die of the syndrome ... an alarming statistic but often still not enough to convince the mums to quit.

The Ministry of Health says to lower the risks of cot death, parents should sleep babies on their backs, breastfeed their infants and have a smokefree pregnancy and a smokefree home.

ROTORUA SEEKING MORE DEVELOPMENT

The Rotorua District Council is having another shot at a plan to help Maori landowners develop their land.

The council now has what it's calling the Mana Whenua policy to replace its Iwi Management funding plan.

And that will affect around 20 percent of the land in the Rotorua district.

Bella Tait ... the council's Maori research officer ... says the scheme is aimed at small Maori trusts and the hope is that more and more unoccupied Maori land will be developed, as the trusts become more confident and active in the resource consent process.

DIRECT NEGOTIATIONS ENDORSED

Direct negotiations are the way to go.

That's the view of John Tamihere, the politician turned broadcaster, who is back at the helm of West Auckland's Te Whanau O Waipareira Trust.

Mr Tamihere has whakapapa connections to both Hauraki and Ngati Porou, and says moves by the latter to seek a mandate to begin direct negotiations with the OTS are timely.

He says the slow pace of the Waitangi Tribunal process is bogging down a generation of Maori keen to look forward rather than back.

“We've got huge
OUT: allowed to proceed
Mr Tamihere says.

COUNCIL HELP FOR MARAE ACKNOWLEDGED

The idea of giving bureaucrats your cheque book may not appeal to everyone, but the project manager of the country's newest marae says that was the key to their success.

Mike Taane was among the 400 or so who gathered before dawn for the opening of Pukemokimoki marae, at Maraenui in Napier on Saturday.

The community has wanted a marae since people started moving to the city to get jobs at the meat works... during the Maori urban drift of the 1950s and 60s.

Mr Taane says fundraising and sponsorship were vital, and getting that money relied on an extremely high level of operational and financial transparency... which is where the Napier City Council came in.

“Money needs to be
OUT: Napier City Council,” Mr Taane says.

RUGBY MANIA OVER AFTER FRENCH TEST

It's time to give rugby a rest ... and attend to the Treaty. That's the view of ... Hone Harawira the Taitokerau MP... in the wake of the All Black's failure in Cardiff to survive their World Cup quarter final match against France.

He says the demands that many of us make of the All Blacks are ridiculous and it's time we sorted out our priorities..

Mr Harawira says now the All Blacks' run at the World Cup is over, New Zealanders have the chance to address more pressing issues. Treaty of Waitangi issues for instance.

Porou confident of referendum

OCTOBER 8 2007. BULLETIN 1
http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=27863241
Ngati Porou leaders are confident of a good response from iwi members to voting forms sent out over the weekend.

Registered members of the East Coast tribe are being asked to indicate whether Ngati Porou should embark on direct negotiations with the Crown, rather than wait for their claims to be heard by the Waitangi Tribunal.

Unlike local body elections where Maori turnout is low, with Ngati Porou affairs the registered members are keen to have input into tribal decisions, spokesperson Te Rau Kupenga says.

“Previous experience we've been through a voting
our people to vote in this time round,” Mr Kupenga says.

The last census showed 75,000 people affiliate to Ngati Porou. However only 25,000 have registered to vote on tribal affairs such as their treaty claims.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS NEEDED

Ko Papatuanuku toku turangawaewae. That's the theme of Mental Health Awareness Week which starts today.

It's to underline the message that good mental health comes not from being an outsider in society or your community but from belonging ... and knowing that you belong. So we're reminded that Papatuanuku ... or Mother Earth ... is our turangawaewae.

And one of the projects to help build a more effective Maori mental health workforce ... one that can strengthen a sense of belonging where that's needed ... is a survey to find out what Maori mental health workers we already have.

Rawiri Evans, from Te Rau Matatini who are doing the survey ... along with the Ministry of Health ... says they'll able to do better once they have a clearer picture of where Maori staff are working.

“Some are mainstream
LW... a really good indication,” Mr Evans says.

Findings of the survey will be out next month.

MIKE KING SHOW LIFE CHANGING

Mike King, the Maori entertainer, says he never anticipated how much impact filming his new series would have on him... he's described the experience as life changing.

The Waipu-based comedian is gathering stories about the Treaty of Waitangi for a series called "Lost In Translation". He's tracing the various copies of the Treaty that travelled around the country after the initial signing at Waitangi.

He spent last week looking at the Tauranga copy... as well as talking to the descendants of signatories ... they're talking to some people who whakapapa back to other key players of the era... such Hori Tupaea.

“He was one of the most feared leaders down there and they thought by getting his signature others would follow and so we looked at the reasons behind him not signing which is why I was on Matakana island because rumour has it that's where his bones lie,” Mr King says.

The Lost In Translation team heads to the Bay of Plenty next... following the journey of trader James Fedarb who collected 26 signatures from chiefs at Opotiki, Te Kaha, Torere and Whakatane

URBAN MARAE FINALLY OPENED

Maori living in the Napier suburb of Maraenui now have a brand new urban marae for their hui.

It's the Pukemokimoki marae which was officially opened on Saturday, 20 years after the idea was first mooted.

Parekura Horomia, the Minister of Maori Affairs, was in Napier for the ceremony and he says the $1 million complex is a credit to the vision of the kaumatua of yesteryear and it's an achievement the whole Maraenui community can be proud of.

“Been a lot
Out.. its just a great marae,” Mr Horomia says.

Napier has been the only city in New Zealand without an urban marae.

OVERCOME FEAR FOR BREAST PROTECTION

Maori women need to put aside any fears or sense of shame and have a breast cancer check ... according to a woman who had a check-up ... was diagnosed with breast cancer ... was treated ... and has survived.

She is Annie Tupaea from Nga Rauru in Taranaki who was found to have breast cancer five years ago and then had a double mastectomy and chemotherapy.

This month is Breast Cancer month... and Mrs Tupaea is spreading the word about the value of having regular checkups. She says she understands that Maori women may be whakama about having mammograms ... but, she argues, they need to bear in mind that the whole whanau is affected.

“It's not just yourself
OUT... the first place,” she says.


In the five years since she was diagnosed ... Mrs Tupaea has survived to see the arrival of two mokopuna.

NOEL HARRIS STORM HOME IN KELT

Noel Harris... the veteran Maori jockey... has pulled off another racing coup over the weekend, riding the winner in New Zealand's richest race.

The 52 year old Matamata based jockey rode Princess Coup to victory, in the $2 million Kelt Classic at Hastings on Saturday.

Up until that victory he hadn't been having a great season ... only a handful of winners over the last couple of months ... so it was especially pleasing to win a race when the stakes were so high.

His win came in trademark style... he came from behind to win in the last stride, riding higher in the stirrups than any other New Zealand rider.

“When I went
OUT...a winning style mate,” Mr Harris says.

He's waiting for confirmation of rides at the Melbourne Spring Carnival.

His goal this year is to ride 36 more winners ... reach a career total of 2000 ... and join an elite group of Jockeys... Bill Skelton, Lance O'Sullivan and David Peake.

Ngati Porou Runanga hijacks claim

OCTOBER 5, 2007. BULLETIN 2

Ngati Porou is considering pulling out of the Waitanagi Tribunal's East Coast Inquiry and negotiating directly with the Crown instead.

This weekend 25,000 voting papers are being sent to runanga members to ask whether the iwi should continue to work with other claimants in the area, or go it alone.

Te Rau Kupenga, speaking of behalf of Ngati Porou Runanga, says many of the iwi feel frustrated at the time the Tribunal process takes.
He says some cases have been before the Tribunal for 18 years.

“An opportunity has presented
LW charge of our futures,” Mr Kupenga says.

This move by Ngati Porou leaves things with the consolidated claim up in the air.

A judicial conference that was scheduled for Thursday has been postponed.

FIRST CONTACT MARKED IN GISBORNE

Gisborne is this weekend marking the first meeting on land between tangata whenua and tauiwi.

It didn't go well - members of James Cook's crew shot several Maori at Te Toka a Taiau.

Charlie Pera from the Te Unga Mai Festival organising committee says despite that, there is a lot to be learned from the 1769 encounter and subsequent events.

“As a people of Turanga ...
OUT: ... progress as a nation,” Mr Pera says.

Te Unga Mai starts with an inter-faith service at Kaiti Beach on Sunday morning before moving up to Te Poho o Rawiri marae, where people can hear speakers including broadcaster Haare Williams and historian Dame Anne Salmond.


FRI PM - MAIMAI AROHA – RHONDA

Finally, from Honolulu this week came the news of the death of a Taumarunui woman who'd been a well-known name in entertainment in Hawaii for many years.

She was Rhonda Bryers ... the daughter of a Maori All Black, the late Ron Bryers ... and was aged 55.

She was known simply as Rhonda - that was her stage name - and in Honolulu she built a reputation ... as she'd previously done here in New Zealand ... with a remarkable classically-trained soprano voice that was at ease with operatic aria, popular tunes, Broadway hits, hymns and a range of Polynesian music too.

Frankie Stevens, another New Zealander with overseas experience, worked with Rhonda many times ... on television ... touring with the Hi-Marks ... and at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.

“I used to introduce her
LW very saddened,” Mr Stevens says.

INCOME SURVEY BAD NEWS FOR MAORI

The latest New Zealand income survey ... showing an average increase of nine percent ... isn't at all comforting for Maori women ... according to the Council of Trade Unions.

The council's Maori vice-president ... Sharon Clair ... says it's largely those people on high incomes and with a portfolio of shares who've been doing better.

However, the reality for Maori women is that there's a 23 percent wage gap between Maori and Pakeha ... as well as a another 14 percent gap between the incomes for men and women.

And the result is that many Maori women on low wages are struggling to cope with the three percent increase in the cost of living.

“When you look at the food
LW Maori women,” Ms Clair says.

She says the gender pay gap persists because women's work is often undervalued ... and because Pakeha men dominate the high-paid positions.

MAORI VOICES ADD DEPTH TO HOSPICE FUNDRAISER
On now to efforts ... musical efforts actually ... all around the world tomorrow to recognise the valuable role of hospices ... and to raise money for them.

And so, here in New Zealand, as well as in about 60 other countries, choirs are singing to mark International Hospice Day.

All sorts of choirs ... and one of those will be a Maori group ... from the Church of the Latter Day Saints ... who're joining six other choirs in Nelson for a performance at Nelson College.

The conductor, Colleen Marshall says the Maori voices will add a distinctive element to the occasion.

“Joe Paul their leader is a wonderful singer
OUT: as well as their church work,” Ms Marshall says.

LEON MCDONALD KEY FOR WEEKEND ROLE

As the tension builds this weekend... leading up to the All Blacks' rugby world cup quarter-final against France in Cardiff ... a former All Black says we can rest assured that Leon MacDonald ... one of three Maori in the team ... will take care of things at fullback.

The reassurance comes from Glen Osborne ... who has a background of World Cup rugby himself ... and experience as a fullback too.

Given the indications that the French team may resort to bombarding the All Blacks with kicks, there's a special interest in how Leon Macdonald may fare as the last line of defence.

But the Glen Osborne assessment is that he's had a great apprenticeship ... with Canterbury, the Crusaders, the Maori All Blacks, Japanese club rugby, and 50 tests for New Zealand ... so he's just the man for the job.

“A top man Leon,
LW he's a very safe player,” Mr Osborne says.

Tribunal rejects Tonga taonga

OCTOBER 5, 2007 BULLETIN 1

The Waitangi Tribunal has turned down a request for an urgent hearing on the question of whether a husband is a taonga.

Rosina Hauiti is arguing that the decision to refuse residency to her Tongan husband is a breach of her Treaty rights.

Judge Carrie Wainwright... the deputy chairperson of the Tribunal... has said that complaints about the handling of Mr Fonua's immigration status should be dealt with using the immigration process.

However, in denying an urgent hearing, Judge Wainwright has left the door open for the claim to be lodged again if it were to include more information.

Tuariki Delamere, who is acting on behalf of the couple is disappointed by the Judges ruling. He says the Tribunal is the right place to hear the case.

“I say any person
at the moment disagrees,” Mr Delamere says.

They will be re-lodging the claim next week.

GOVERNMENT PLAYING CLAIM FAVOURITES

The Government needs to stop playing favourites with Treaty claimants, according to a Maori academic.

A recent Waitangi Tribunal report has highlighted problems with the way the Office of Treaty Settlements has handled claims to land in the Auckland area ... most notably arranging a $90 million deal with Ngati Whatua o Orakei despite there being five cross claimants to that land.

And Paul Majurey, the lawyer for Ngati Marutuahu, one of those cross claimant tribes, says Ngati Whatua o Orakei have had $350,000 from the Crown to help with their negotiations while no other Auckland iwi has had a cent.

Now Rawiri Taonui, a senior Maori studies lecturer at Canterbury University, is calling for the favouritism to stop - not that, he says, this sort of behaviour from the Crown is anything new.
“Pre funding
Out...their favour,” Mr Taonui says.

He says in the past the selective resourcing of Treaty claims has led to problems in both Taranaki and Muriwhenua.

MAORI WOMEN LOOK TO LAND

Maori women farmers are looking at ways they can make better use of their land.

AgResearch is hosting one of its twice yearly Wahine Whanau Whenua hui in Hamilton (on Friday), including sessions on traditional crops as well as some new prospects.

Among the speakers are Queenie Chadwick, who grows saffron in the Hokianga, and Ian Hall, who will discuss the optimum conditions for growing truffles

Organiser Orewa Barrett-Ohia says Agresearch set up the forums after analysing turnout at the Federation of Masori Authorities hui.

“The numbers for women
OUT: ...passed down to men.
Ms Barrett-Ohia says.

So far the Wahine Whanau Whenua hui have been held in the upper North Island, but Agresearch is talking to Te Puni Kokiri about extending the service to other parts of the country.

HAUITI DEFENDS CLAIM

The Waitangi Tribunal has turned down a request for an urgent hearing on the question of whether a husband is a taonga.

Rosina Hauiti is arguing that the decision to refuse residency to her Tongan husband is a breach of her Treaty rights.

Despite requesting Mr Fonau's file from the Immigration department, Mr Delamere has yet to see it. And that, he argues, is one of the key parts of their Treaty claim.

“Well that's the whole point
fish and trees etc etc,” Mr Delamere says.

If the Tribunal refuses to hear the case ... when they re-file next week ... he has been instructed to take the Immigration Department to the High Court.

MAORI VOTING DAY DECLARED

Marae around the country are being encouraged to get out the vote.
Manurewa Marae have declared today Maori Voting Day.

It's challenging other marae to take up the take before the time for returning postal votes in the local government elections is over.

Eru Thompson, the marae's chairperson, says traditionally the marae is the place Maori gather to make decisions.

He says Maori complain about not being represented on councils, but they often don't use the voting process effectively.

“It's about no more
LW done as Maori,” Mr Thompson says.

Although voting doesn't close until Saturday October 12, it's better to post them off early rather than risk missing the deadline.

MAUI ON A SURFBOARD IN TARANAKI

Maui on a surfboard and Ranginui cloaked in stars.

That’s what visitors to New Plymouth’s Govett-Brewster Art Gallery will see from tomorrow (Saturday).

Ngapuhi artist Lisa Reihana's Digital Marae is a series of digital images depicting Maori male gods and transgender figures.

It continues from an earlier series of godesses.

She says the prints try to show another side to Maori idols, including the trickster Maui.

“When I think...
OUT: incredible excitement,” she says.

Lisa Reihana has most recently exhibited her video installation Native Portraits at Roma University.