Maori management good for fishery

May 13
The chief executive of Te Ohu Laimoana says the seafood industry could benefit from traditional forms of Maori marine mangement.

Speaking on the eve of the Seafood Industry Council's annual conference in Wellington, at which fisheries minister Jim Anderton will talk on sustainability, Peter Douglas says Maori fishers are conscious of the need to protect fish species.

He says the traditional concept of rahui, resting areas from fishing, or shelving quota for a period, have proved successful in helping to replenish fish stocks..

Peter Douglas says while this country's fisheries quota management system is a world leader, there is room for improvement.

COMPANY BUILDS BUSINESS AROUND HEALTHY QUICK KAI

A Maori company from the Hawkes Bay is putting a healthy spin on fast food.

Keri Gardiner and Leon Harrison's The Hearty Kiwi Food Company makes low fat gourmet beef and lamb patties for supermarkets.

Ms Gardiner says concern at high obesity levels among Maori spurred them to develop a healthier alternative to the traditional sausages and chips offered at schools, sports clubs and other social events.

She says The Hearty Kiwi Food Company aims to have its products available nationally by the end of the year.

TARANAKI LEAGUE PEOPLE SUPPORT LEGLESS HEKENUI

There's been a big turn out for a fundraiser for Taranaki rugby league player Ben Hekenui, who has lost both legs in an industrial accident.

Howie Tamati, the chair of the Taranaki Sports Trust, says support for the invitation game at Bell Block on the weekend shows how close the rugby league fraternity in the region is.

There was also support from players in Manawatu, where Hekenui comes from.

KIWI TAG EXPOSES THE REDNECKS

A social researcher says that self identification as a "Kiwi" is often an indicator of resentment of Maori.

The Centre for Applied Cross-Cultural Research at Victoria University has been looking at New Zealand identity and why new migrants find it hard to identify with the term Kiwi.

James Liu says migrants find it hard to work out exactly what the term means, and while Census data isn't specific on who is writing in their identity as Kiwi or New Zealander, his research points to people of European ancestry.

He says it's an extreme reaction against biculturalism.

Associate Professor Liu says most Pakeha New Zealanders are happy to incorporate Maori symbolically into the national identity, but theY resist affirmative action or programmes which transfer resources to Maori,

KAPA HAKA VALUABLE IN CLASSROOM

Skills learnt in hapahaka can prove valuable in the classroom.

That's the finding of Paul Whitinui, who received his education doctorate last week from the University of Auckland, where he has been looking at the educational benefits of Maori performing arts for secondary students.

He says kapahaka gives Maori students a sense of responsibility to the group, as well as skills in decision making and leadership.

It also gives them enthusiasm for other subjects.

Paul Whitinui says the traditional education system can struggle to respond to other cultures.

COACH ADDS KAHA TO MAGIC TEAM

Maori netballer Joelene Henry is singing the praises of her Waikato Magic coach, Noelene Taurua.

The Waikato magic defender played a prominent role in her team's 59-45 win over the Northern Mystics in Auckland last night, to share top spot with the Queensland Firebirds in the ANZ Trans tasman netball championship.

Ms Henry who grew up in Wanganui, says her coach, a former Silver Fern, knows exactly how to get the best out of her players.

She says while the Magic was ahead by 4 through most of the game, a rev up by the coach at threequarter time lifted its game.