Waatea News Update

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Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Friday, September 19, 2008

Court-tribunal job split welcomed

The sponsor of a bill to split the top jobs at the Maori Land Court and the Waitangi Tribunal is welcoming the fact his objective is achieved ... for now.

With today's elevation of Joe Williams to the High Court, his deputy Wilson Isaac becomes acting chief judge of the Maori Land Court, and Judge Carrie Wainwright becomes acting chair of the tribunal.

New Zealand First MP Pita Paraone says that's what he wanted to do with his bill, which failed at the third reading stage.

“We've always been of the view that there’s a perceived conflict of interest to have one person to hold that position of chief judge of the Maori Land Court and also at the same time hold the position of the chairman of the Waitangi Tribunal,” Mr Paraone says.

New Zealand First was unaware the appointments would be made and did not lobby for the split.

RAUKAWA REWARDS LANGUAGE PROMOTION EFFORTS

South Waikato iwi Ngati Raukawa is looking ahead to ensure its descendents are speaking te reo Maori.

It's giving out awards this weekend to organisations promoting the language in the rohe.

Roger Lewis, the organiser of Nga Tohu Reo Maori o Raukawa, says the aim is to have the reo firmly established by 2030, and a century later the Raukawa rohe and people will be Maori-speaking.

He says that means starting now.

“We also get alongside marae helping them create their own reo plans. We’re just starting up a programme to encourage Maori to speak te reo in the home. We do marae interviews with kaumatua. We have our own Raukawa reo brand, called nga kahu reo o Raukawa. The whole goal is ko aranui mai, te iwi ki te reo, that Raukawa people will speak Maori," Mr Lewis says.

A highlight of tomorrow's ceremony will be tohu given to kuia and kaumatua who have recorded histories in te reo for study by future generations.

RAKIURA MAORI LOOK TO TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

The country's southernmost Maori land trust is looking at expanding its tourism operations.

Steve Harteveld from Rakiura Maori Land Trust says a hunting operation on its Stewart Island blocks has been unprofitable, and is under review.

But given the strength of tourism in the region and interest from Queenstown and Milford Sound operators, there are opportunities opening up for the trust.

“The trust itself administers 75 percent of the available land on Rakiura, given that 92 percent of Rakiura is in national park, so we have a 6 percent stake in the remaining land on Rakiura,” Mr Harteveld says.

RAWIRI PARATENE SIGNS ON FOR GREENS

Whale Rider star Rawiri Paratene is standing for the Green Party in Maungakiekie.

The Green's Maori spokesperson Metiria Turei says he will be campaigning for the party vote rather than the seat.

She says Mr Paratene, who has been a familiar figure on stage and screen for more than three decades, has a longstanding commitment to green and Maori issues.

“He has an enormous standing, both in the arts community and the Maori community as well, and has been committed to Green policies for many years now and he fronted a number of adverts for out 2005 Green Party party vote election campaign, so we’re really pleased to have him on board even more this time as a candidate for us,” Ms Turei says.

Rawiri Paratene made his decision too late to be considered for a high place on the Party list, but she hopes he will consider that option in future.

SILVER FERNS NOT TOO FAR FROM BEATING AUSTRALIA

A top Maori netballer says the Silver Ferns aren't too far off the pace in the trans-Tasman netball.

The Silver Ferns lost by two points to the Australians on Wednesday night ... and Joline Henry says that can be fixed by just one turnover.

The versatile Whanganui player says the strong showing in Christchurch by new Australian caps Kate Beveridge and Kimberlee Green show the depth the Ferns are up against.

The Silver Ferns take on Australia in the second test in Auckland on Saturday.

LINING UP FOR WEEKEND OF LEAGUE

While most of the league fraternity's attention will be focused firmly on the action at Mt Smart Stadium tonight... there are other crucial league games in Auckland this weekend.

Maori coaches are to the forefront of the Fox Memorial final on Saturday, when Richie Blackmore-coached Otahuhu Leopards line up against Brett Genmmel's Mt Albert Lions on Mt Smart's second field.

Gordon Gibbons from Auckland Rugby League says Richie Blackmore has matured into the coaching role after his career at centre and wing for the Warriors, the Kiwis and Leeds.

He picked up a well-deserved top coaching gong at this week's awards.

This evening's Warriors-Roosters game won't be a refuge from the election campaign - Ikaroa Rawhiti candidate Derek Fox has hired a plane to buzz the crowd with a giant banner bearing the Maori Party's symbol.

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