Ngati Manawa readies for Treelord

Iwi belonging to the Central North Island collective are fanning out round the country consulting members on the proposed half billion dollar Treelord settlement of historic claims.

Ngati Manawa wrapped up its consultation in Auckland last night.
Bill Bird, the chair of the Ngati Manawa runanga, says what's on the table is a population-based settlement.

The issue of who owns the land under the Crown's central North Island forests will be determined during the term of the current forestry licences.

“This is only one element of the comprehensive settlement package, the quantum and financial redress. The cultural and historic are still being done. People understand that. It is only the commercial and quantum part of the settlement that is spoken about during these consultation meetings,” Mr Bird says.

The iwi is conducting a postal ballot to determine support for the proposed settlement.

NON SMOKE CAMPAIGNS A LONG TERM EFFORT

A Maori public health worker says it will take years to gauge the success of current anti smoking campaigns.

Ameria Reriti says World Smokefree Day tomorrow is a chance for Maori to consider how many of their whanau have lost their lives to smoking related illnesses.

Nearly one in two adult Maori still smoke, but she says rangatahi are growing up exposed to anti tobacco campaigns.

Ameria Reriti, the Maori development manager for the Auckland regional public health service.

WAIROA MAORI FILM FESTIVAL BACK IN WAIROA

It's Queens Birthday, so on the East Coast that means it's the Wairoa Maori Film Festival.

Film buff Leo Koziol started the festival three years ago to promote Maori cinema.

He says this year's event features old and new films from Aotearoa as well as indigenous efforts from Australia, the United States and Canada.
There are tributes to some great New Zealand actors who are no longer with us.

The festival opens with Came a Hot Friday, featuring Billy T James and Don Selwyn, and closes with Utu with Anzac Wallace and the late Bruno Lawrence.

The films will show at the Gaiety Cinema and Taihoa Marae in Wairoa as well screenings in Wellington and Auckland.

HOODY DAY TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR YOOF

Many community leaders and MPs may look a little casual today.
If so, it's because they're wearing hoodies as a way to encourage people to look beyond a young person's clothing.

Jono Cambell from Te Ora Hou, a youth development service, says Hoodie Day is a Youth Week initiative to celebrate the achievements of youth rather than get hung up on the anti-social behaviour of a few.

Hoodie-wearers today will include MPs Nanaia Mahuta, Metiria Turei, and Hone Harawira, children's commissioner Cindy Kiro and writer Patricia Grace.

FRAGILE DRAWINGS TRACK WHAKAPAPA, SPIRITUALITY

A Waikato artist is tracing themes of whakapapa and migration as a way of exploring what brings people together.

James Ormsby's new work is now on show at Whitespace gallery in Auckland.

His large pencil drawings draw in symbols from Chinese culture, Tainui tradition, Christianity and natural forms.

Ormsby is also taking part in The Artists Room show at Whitespace next week as part of the Auckland Photographic Festival.

WEST AUCKLAND SHORT TO GET HOME TOWN SHOWING

West Aucklanders can watch their faces on the screen tonight at a showcase of Maori film.

The event at Henderson's Corban Estate Arts Centre is a complement to the Wairoa Maori Film Festival, which also starts tonight.

On show will be short films by Tearepa Kahi, Garth Watene, Apirana Ipo Te Maipi, Candida Keithley and Quentin Parr.

Curator Leo Koziol anticipates a good response.

He says a highlight will be Kahi’s Taua, which was shot in west Auckland.

The showcase will get another Auckland run next weekend at Awataha marae on the North Shore.