CNI plan gets positive initial reaction

Treaty ministers are reacting positively to a plan to settle historic central North Island claims by putting the region's Crown forests into a multi-iwi trust.

At Little Waihi near Turangi this morning, the CNI Collective, which includes Tuwharetoa, Tuhoe, Ngati Rangitihi, Ngati Whakaue and Ngati Whare, gave the plan to Michael Cullen and his associate, Mita Ririnui.

The final settlement is likely to also wrap in Te Pumautanga o Te Arawa and Ngati Manawa, who already have agreements in principle.

Mr Mirinui says more work needs to be done on how the settlement assets will be shared among the iwi, but signs are positive.

“Sends a very strong view that this should not be a repeat of the Sealord settlement where it took 13 years to agree to a model for allocation of interests. Already we have learned some lessons form the past and there is unanimous agreement we should not repeat those mistakes,” Mr Ririnui says.

Dr Cullen told the hui the proposal looks close to what the Crown can ultimately agree, and that the total package is unlikely to leave much change out of $500 million.

TAMATI TESTS TIRED BODY IN TARANAKI TRIATHLON

His days as a Rugby league international may be long gone, but Howie Tamati still leads by inspiration.

The head of Sports Taranaki has accepted a challenge to take part in a triathlon this weekend.

That's meant stepping - or swimming - outside his comfort zone.

He's never been a strong swimmer, but lots of training means he's now more confident in the waters off New Plymouth.

Mr Tamati says at 55, his old league injuries cause him some discomfort, but won't stop him competing.

“For me getting out and trying new things like a triathlon is hugely challenging. The philosophy is completing, not competing. I’m never going to win a triathlon but if I complete a triathlon I’m satisfied. The competitive edge will never leave me completely because I will always try my best but it’s getting out there and showing people you can have a go and you can try new things,” Mr Tamati says.

CNI SETTLEMENT 20 YEARS IN THE MAKING

The Minister of Maori Affairs says today's proposed settlement of central North Island forestry claims was 20 years in the making.

A collective of the region's iwi has asked the Government to put 170,000 hectares of Crown forest land and the $248 million in accumulated rentals into a new trust, which they will divide among themselves on the basis of tikanga Maori.

Parekura Horomia says when the Crown Forestry Rental Trust was set up almost 20 years ago, people thought the forest claims could be settled within three years.

“Well it's taken a hang of a lot more than that, and I think the wise thing that iwi leaders have done is seen it as a single commercial asset and how the benefits will come out of that is something they will work through but here is enough in there for everybody and everyone to really accelerate a lot of the hopes and dreams that Maori have in that cluster,” he says.

Mr Horomia says getting 19 iwi to come together for a settlement is a great achievement.

WIDER ROLE FOR WARDENS WANTED

The Alcohol Advisory Council wants to see the role of the Maori Wardens expanded.

Ted Breach, an injury prevention consultant, told today's ALAC conference in Rotorua that a pilot intervention project in Hamilton showed wardens can dramatically reduce alcohol-related violence.

A rapid response team of wardens patrolled the city's bars, responding to tips from the public and calls from police communications staff, and were able to neutralise almost 80 percent of the incidents they attended.

He says feedback from the four-month pilot pointed to other tasks wardens could do.

“I would like to see the Maori wardens carry out a more educative role. They do a lot of good follow up after incidents. They might take someone home for example and they might go around and see them the next morning for a bit of counseling servicing and so on, so I’d like to see them not only respond but give out more key messages and education follow up,” Mr Breach says.

The Accident Compensation Commission, which funded the Hamilton pilot, is asking Hamilton businesses to partner with it and fund continued patrols.

PADDLERS TURN OUT FOR WAKAFEST 2008 IN TAURANGA
Some of the country's top paddlers are in Tauranga this weekend.

Rebecca Ryder from the Wakafest 2008 organising committee says the elite paddlers took to the water today for a 28 km ocean event.

It was won by Paul Willford from Northland club Nga Hoe Horo in 2 hours 12 minutes in the surf ski class, and Bernd Summer from Rotorua in 2 hours 35 minutes in the OC1 waka class.

Tomorrow there will be an influx of kai hoe for the harbour challenge.

“We normally attract about 500 to 550 paddlers to that event and that ranges from your novices right through to your elite paddlers and that’s based on the Tauranga Harbour, ranging from 16 km course for the single paddlers right through to 35 km for the six-person crews.

Rebecca Ryder says on Sunday there will be a fun relay, the Waka Sevens, using single and six-paddler crews.

Big turnout expected at Little Waihi

A big turnout is expected at Little Waihi on the shores of Lake Taupo this morning for the signing of an agreement in principle to settle central North island land and forestry claims.

Numbers will be boosted by representatives of Te Pumautanga o Te Arawa, who joined with the Central North Island Iwi cluster in recent days to hammer out a comprehensive package.

Waatea News sources say the $400 million deal to be put to the Minister for Treaty Negotiations, Michael Cullen, will be for the region's forests, and the accumulated rents held by the Crown Forestry Rental Trust, to be put into a central trust representing all the iwi.

The Minister of Maori Affairs, Parekura Horomia, says there is a mood in Maoridom to get past the settlement process.

“Maori have decided in their own mind it’s time to come together. Most settlements have been held up because of late differences. I’ll put a punt on this deal will stick,” Mr Horomia says.

As well as Te Arawa, the settlement will cover Tuwharetoa, Ngati Whakaue, Ngai Tuhoe, Ngati Rangitihi and Ngati Whare.

HAIRCUTS, NAMING PART OF ANTENATAL QUESTIONING

A new longitudinal research programme could answer some curious questions about the survival of Maori cultural practices.

Growing Up in New Zealand will follow almost 8000 children born in Auckland and Waikato over the next year from birth to adulthood.

One of the researchers, Te Kani Kingi from Te Mata o te Tau at Massey University, says unlike earlier such studies, this one will have a statistically significant sample of Maori and Pacific island children.

He says a questionaire give to the expectant mums should help researchers find links between cultural factors and children's growth and development.

“Issues around whether or not they’ve considered where the placenta will be buried, have they consulted with a kaumatua or an elder in terms of the child’s name, whether on not they cut their hair during pregnancy, all those types ofv cultural practices that some Maori mothers observe,” Dr Kingi says.

Preliminary research results will start coming out in 2011.

BLIND FOUNDATION RAISING DOG TRAINING MONEY

Its time to think of those without sight.

The Blind Foundation is holding its annual appeal from this weekend to raise money for guide dog training.

Tahae Tait, runs the Maori branch of the foundation for the Waiariki region, and says Maori are still not using the services organisations like the foundation offer.

He says Maori make up only about 700 of the foundation's 11 thousand registered members.

“We're working with consumer groups like Ngati Kapo and others but in some cases Maori don’t come forward and we have to go out into the communities,” Mr Tait says.

The Blind Foundation needed more narrators to produce talking books in Te Reo Maori.

PROMISE TO LEAVE MAORI TELEVISION ALONE

National is promising Maori Television is safe if it takes over the treasury benches after the election.

Labour Cabinet minister Shane Jones has challenged the party on its Maori broadcasting policy, and claimed it could sell off the new channel.

But John Key says he's seen the value of Maori Television.

“Yeah Maori Television I actually think is doing a very good job. I was critical of it when I was the finance spokesman and I’d be the first to say I think that was wrong. They’ve developed a culture in there of producing some really interesting and good stuff. Form a Maori broadcasting point of view, National has absolutely no intention of diluting any of the benefits or gains that are there,” Mr Key says.

He says Maori have legitimate complaints about the times Television New Zealand screens its Maori programmes, and he'd like to see more Maori stories in primetime.

RANGATIRA THROW WEIGHT BEHIND ANTI-VIOLENCE KAUPAPA

Maori leaders are meeting in Hopuhopu today to responses to discuss family violence.

They've been asked by king Tuheitia to help the Maori reference group to the Ministry of Social Development's Taskforce for Action on Violence within Families.

Tainui MP Nanaia Mahuta, who is speaking at the hui, says communities are taking responsibility for the issues around family violence.

“The fact that leadership have come forward form various quarters and King Tuheitia to support events like this means there’s a very serious message that everyone’s owning and that is we want whanau free from violence,” Ms Mahuta says.

The hui will try to identify ways people can reach out for support.

AUNT AND NEPHEW SHARE DAY OF HONOUR

The Durie whanau of Rangitane is celebrating as two of their own receive tohu at Government House in Wellington today.

Retired judge Edward Taihakurei Durie is being made a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the Maori Land Court, Waitangi Tribunal and the High Court.

The family is just as excited about the Queens Service medal being awarded to his aunt, Kahu Durie.

Her service to Maori and the community includes more than four decades teaching te reo Maori in Whangarei and the Manawatu, being president of the Maori Womens Welfare League's Whangarei branch, being part of the Maori Anglican Pastorate for the past quarter century, and establishing the Maori chaplaincy service at Palmerston North Hospital.

Reverend Durie says she is honoured to be acknowledged for her mahi.

“Our Maori people really needed a Maori chaplain, they needed te reo Maori for karakia and korero, and they appreciated very much. I get a lot from them too. It’s a two way thing.” Rev Durie says.

Key skeptical on CNI plan success

National leader John Key is skeptical of the Government's ability to pull together a central North Island settlement before the election.

A collective of Central North Island iwi will tomorrow present the Treaty Negotiations Minister, Michael Cullen, with a plan for how $400 million in Crown forest assets can be shared out to settle historic claims in the region.

Mr Key says Labour is scrambling to get some treaty deals so the Maori Party can't knock it about in the election campaign, but there are doubts the settlements will stick.

“My understanding is Michael Cullen is gluing them together with these agreement in principles and while that might all flow though and might all be okay, there’s actually quite a lot of stuff that’s unresolved under this top headline. Cullen’s printing the headlines if you like and that all looks good and Maori feel a bit of confidence from that but what happens if under it all there is so much work that needs to be done and so much time needs to elapse,” Mr Key says.

GROWING UP STUDY LARGE ENOUGH FOR MAORI

The lives of Maori children will be tracked for the first time in a study being launched tomorrow by Auckland University.

Growing Up in New Zealand will follow almost 8000 children from before birth to adulthood.

Te Kani Kingi, the director of Massey University's academy for Maori research and scholarship, and says it will look at health, education, family, social and environmental impacts.

He says the sample, which will include children born in the Auckland, Counties-Manukau and Waikato District health board catchments over the next two years, is large enough to be reflective of all of New Zealand society, including Maori.

“It's the first time that a study’s had a sample of Maori that is statistically significant enough to draw accurate conclusions form, there’s other studies that have been done in the country but they haven’t had a large number of Maori participating in the research. Therefore, we were unsure as to the extent the results would be applicable to Maori,” Mr Kingi says.

The study should improve future policy development.

MAORI ART LOOKING TO FUTURE

The head of arts promotion group Toi Maori Aotearoa says Maori art needs to keep looking ahead.

Garry Nicholas says high auction prices for Maori subjects by colonial artists like Goldie and Lindauer reflect a conservative market.

He says the work has limited application to what artists do now.

“If our art is alive and well, we can create art that can resonate form those earlier pieces. And that’s our gift to the world. We share in the bounty of other cultures that share their art and their thinking. So no, I don’t lament when those works go into private hands. It’s our ability to create the new line, the new wave, is what will maintain us as a relevant culture,” Mr Nicholas says.

WARDENS GET BACK ON PUB PATROL AFTER TRAINING

Maori wardens are helping to head off trouble in Hamilton pubs.
The wardens have stepped up their monitoring of licenced premises in the city, and they've managed to neutralise almost 80 percent of incidents they attended.

Ted Breach, an Injury Prevention Consultant for ACC says the ready response pilot project aims to get to potential hotspots early and head off trouble... and injury.

He says the training Maori wardens got in recent months from the police has given them new skills, but the people skills they have are more important.

“In certain circumstances they can be v effective in dealing with peolle who are potentially violent, so they have special skills in that area as well,” Mr Breach says.

Rotorua is keen to pick up the ready response project, and it could eventually be rolled out by Maori Wardens nationwide.

WARRIORS TACKLE SCHOOL BULLYING PROBLEM

The Warriors are tackling a major problem in south Auckland schools.
Eight schools in South Auckland are piloting Warriors Against Bullying, which was launched at Leabank Primary in Manurewa today.

It is based on a programme developed by former Warriors and Kiwi captain Dean Bell when he was playing professional league in north England for Wigan.

Mr Bell says a lot of the Warriors are parents themselves, and they were keen to get involved.

“I think one of the key things that we ask the children to do is actually to talk to an adult. That’s the only way they can get over some of these problems. But we give them tactics and rules, just like rugby league players have, so everything is associated with rugby league,” Mr Bell says.

The club will work with schools to put in place support services and strategies, and players will attend special assemblies to drive home the messages from the programme.

MAORI WOMEN’S CONTRIBUTIONS STILL INVISIBLE

The Equal Employment Opportunities commissioner says the contributions of Maori women aren't being recognised.

Judy McGregor says the Human Rights Commission had a struggle including Maori women in its census of women's participation, because government agencies don't collect enough information on ethnicity and gender.

By surveying organisations like the Maori Women's Welfare League and the Federation of Maori Authorities, the commission found relatively high levels of participation by wahine Maori in the governance and management of Maoridom - but it's still not clear how they are represented in wider society.

Dr McGregor says other surveys of voluntary activity have shown the value of Maori women to communities.

“Maori are more likely than non-Maori to be involved in unpaid work and activities outside the household, and even then, Maori women undertake more unpaid work outside the home than Maori men, and their participation rate is over 90 percent, so there’s huge mahi aroha,” Dr McGregor says.

Policy will continue developments

National's Maori affairs co-spokesperson is promising the party's Maori policy will build on the positive developments of the past two decades.

Georgina te Heuheu says the policy is still being developed, but don't expect a lot of change.

Treaty settlements will continue to be an important part of the mix.

“The settlements, those now are a matter of rolling them through and try and build on the kind of momentum that Maori have generated themselves, starting in the 12990s, when they have shown a very clear aptitude for service provision in the fields of education and health especially.” Mrs te Heuheu says.

She says Maori have shown they don't need to wait on government to promote development and lift outcomes.

MAORI IDENTITY NEEDED BACK IN THE LANDSCAPE

Landscape architects are being challenged to restore and develop the Maori identity in Aotearoa's landscape.

Ngarimu Blair, from Ngati Whatua o Orakei Maori Trust Board, will speak on the cultural landscape of Tamaki Makaurau to the Institute of Landscape Architects conference in Auckland today.

He says the land has been completely transformed since his ancestors welcomed Pakeha settlers to the isthmus, not just the forests the signs of Maori occupation.

“Our tohu, our marks on the land, our pas, our burial sites, our waka landing sites have been completely obliterated and the landscape design industry has played a large role in that process of pushing us off our own landscape,” Mr Blair says,

He says architects and planners should look to Maori tikanga to help them design more environmentally friendly and sustainable landscapes.

URUPA RESTORATION GIVES SENSE OF CLOSURE TO WHANAU

The son of a First World War hero says the family has a sense of closure after restoring his South Waikato grave.

Jack Moore won the Distinguished Conduct Medal for bravery in France in 1917.

His suicide in 1929 was attributed to the emotional trauma of his experience in the trenches of Gallipoli and France.

His letters home from the battlefield were edited by his son into a book ... Anzac Jack.

Jack Moore junior, who's now 82, says there are close family links to Pikitu Marae and Ngati Huri, who joined in last weekend's re-dedication near Putaruru.

“When the bugler played The Last Post on Saturday over my father’s grave, and in that beautiful setting of Te Hotu Urupa, those beautiful bugle notes were to me a closure and I looked around and not only was I in tears myself but half the 250 people who were there were also in tears. We’d honoured our father and he could rest in peace now forever,” Mr Moore says.

CHALLENGE AHEAD TO GET AUDIENCE FOR FREEVIEW TE REO

A veteran Maori broadcaster is predicting significant challenges for the new Te Reo channel.

Waihoroi Shortland produces and presents an interview programme on Maori Television's digital second channel, which screens three hours of Maori language programming a night.

He says it needs to convince Maori to spend money on the set top box needed to access the channel on either Freeview or Sky.

It may also struggle to get its programmes to a wide audience.

“If people are dedicated to the reo, then what I suppose the channel is saying is ‘you can find it over here’. What I hope it doesn’t become is a dumping ground for reo programmes so we can say we’ve met the criteria, we’ve put it out there, not my fault if the people don’t watch it,” Mr Shortland says.

DIABETES PROGRAMME MAKING IMPACT IN TAIRAWHITI

If you think people in Tairawhiti are looking a bit thinner the next time you visit the East Coast, you may be right.

Ngati Porou Hauora and Orago University's Edgar National Centre for Diabetes Research are celebrating the success of the Ngati and Healthy diabetes prevention project.

Team leader Helen Pahau says it's meant a change in diet for many East Coasters, an increase in the amount of exercise people do, and a greater awareness of the problem.

She says the interventions were developed after researchers found high levels of insulin resistance among people over 25 ... one of the precursors to developing diabetes.

“We had 50 percent of people that were insulin resistant in 2003. That dropped down to 20 percent, which is a huge reduction. There was a huge reduction in weight. There was a huge reduction in terms of blood pressure and other clinical readings as well,” Ms Pahau says.

Ngati and Healthy succeeded because it addressed the diabetes problem on a community basis, rather than putting all the pressure on individuals to change their lifestyles.

MAORI ON THE BUS HEADING TO TAITOKERAU

A Maori arts promotion group wants to get more Maori writers on the road.

This year's On the Bus Maori Writers Tour sets off around Taitokerau next week.

Storyteller Joe Harawira and writers Hinemoana Baker, Apirana Taylor and Kelly Anne Morey will run readings and workshops in high schools and community facilities.

Garry Nicholas from Toi Maori says the On the Bus presentations are popular with Maori who want to develop their writing skills, but more regular visits are needed to maintain interest.

“We haven't had a team in the north since 2004 and four years is too long. It’s too long a gap for us to get into some of those communities and keep feeding the interest. It’s one thing to take a great show to town but if you never turn up for another four years, what have you really achieved?” he says.

No hurry to release Tory Maori policy

National's Maori Affairs co-spokesperson is shrugging off a challenge to release policy.

Georgina te Heuheu was slammed by Labour Cabinet minister Shane Jones for ducking questions at last week's World Indigenous Television Broadcasters' Conference about her party's plans for Maori Television.

She says much of the Maori policy is still being written.

“We're not rolling out our policy on the basis of Labour demands to do so. We’ll do that in our own good time. There are still a number of important areas that we are still to bring policy forward and that decision is made by the leader, John Key, in due course,” Mrs Te Heuheu says.

Any policy is likely to build on existing Maori development initiatives in areas like education and health.

SCHOOL TO TEACH RANGATAHI FARMING TRICKS

A new farm school for young Maori has opened in southern Hawkes Bay.

Fencing contractor Pat Hape created Pipiwai Agricultural Training Centre in Dannevirke after identifying a shortage of experienced fencers in the area.

It will also run courses in tractor and all terrain vehicle driving, chainsaw operation and health and safety.

Mr Hape says farming skills keeps rangatahi off the street and helps to stem the flow heading for the city.

“The area's really a farming community and we’re hoping to put them out there amongst it. There’s been a great deal of loss to the farming of young ones these days, especially our young Maori people. I think they’ll come round after we show them one or two tricks,” Mr Hape says.

The centre has support from Rangitane and Ngati Kahungunu as well as Te Puni Kokiri, Winz, local government and industry training organisations.

LACK OF STATS INDICTMENT ON AGENCIES

The Greens' spokesperson on Maori affairs says government agencies are falling down on their duty to collect statistics on Maori.

The Human Rights Commission has challenged the Ministry for Women's Affairs and other agencies to provide information on Maori women, after finding vital data wasn't available for its Census of Women's Participation.

Meteria Turei says it's important that policymakers have a true picture of Maori women, including their involvement in governance and management.

“It's kind of shocking. You would think they would at least have the information. That’s kind of a 1950s approach, that they don’t actually know what the status is of Maori women in those kind of positions. I’m really pleased they are doing this because they need to know the extent to which Maori are involved in the corporate world,” Ms Turei says.

She says women are still seriously under-represented in senior management and board positions, and the situation is even worse for Maori women.

NZ FIRST BOSS ENDORSES CNI PROGRESS

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says central North Island iwi should not miss the opportunity to settle their historic claims.

An earlier settlement with Te Pumautanga o Te Arawa was put on hold because the government was not confident of the support of other parties, including New Zealand First.

Now Te Pumautanga is working with the Central North Island Iwi Collective on a wider deal, which would involve the transfer of Crown forest lands in the area into a settlement trust.

Mr Peters says he's been involved with the various players for some time, and he endorses the vision behind it.

“The central North Island deal has got some very sound features and I would advise them to consult and negotiate with the responsible minister, Michael Cullen. He’s after all the finance minister. This is a glorious opportunity to get this matter settled once and for all, and it can be done,” Mr Peters says.

The CNI collective and Te Pumautanga will put their settlement proposal to the Treaty Negotiations Minister on Friday at Waihi Marae near Turangi.

TRAVEL RESOURCE PUTTING MAORI ON INTERNATIONAL ITINERARY

The associate minister for tourism is endorsing a new resource to help travel planners include Maori attractions in their tours.

The New Zealand Maori Tourism Trade Manual was launched at Parliament today.

Nanaia Mahuta says it's the first effort to list the Maori ventures which are Qualmark registered or are considered export ready.

She says the industry needs full Maori participation to ensure the integrity of the culture remains intact.

“More and more visitors who come to New Zealand want a distinct experience and the point of difference for New Zealand is the Maori cultural experience. That’s why Rotorua does so well. For the rest of the country, what we’ve got to ensure is that Maori tourism operators continue to take their place in the industry to provide the point of difference which is the whole experience,” Ms Mahuta says.

The Maori Tourism Trade Manual includes almost 100 ventures including accommodation, tours, cultural performances, dining and art galleries.

MAORI NEED INCLUSION IN LANDSCAPE PLANS

A Maori planner wants landscape architects to take more account of Maori values when they design their projects.

Ngarimu Blair from Ngati Whatua says more Maori are needed in the profession.

He says the talk is of a green revolution where architects are addressing future environmental needs.

“The answers to creating an Aotea landscape are right under their noses and are in the traditions, tikanga and values held by the Maori communities throughout this land. Sure they could get inspiration from overseas examples, but from my opinion, they don’t need to look very far, just out the window,” Mr Blair says.

He’s speaking at the Institute of Landscape Architects conference, starting tomorrow in Auckland.

MPs put into the frame by new children’s trust

The chair of a new trust set up to tackle Maori child abuse says the first stop will be the Beehive.

Hone Kaa says Te Mana Ririki Trust came out of last year's summit on abuse held in Auckland.

It will be asking Maori organisations to help fund its advocacy and research, but he's also expecting Maori MPs to help.

“We’re meeting with the Maori members of Parliament to sit down and see where we can go together her because this is election year and it’s too good an opportunity not to strike while the moment is there to see exactly where the various Maori politicians at least see their parties heading on this particular issue,” Dr Kaa says.

MAORI ON HOUSING NZ AGENDA

Housing New Zealand is tackling some long-standing problems with Maori housing.

The minister, Maryan Street, says the ministry intends building more than 250 houses in south Auckland over the next two years.

It has also upgraded more than 8000 properties as part of a healthier homes initiative.

Ms Street says it is boosting its ability to respond to Maori need.

“Housing New Zealand board has a Maori capability committee looking at Maori hosing issues, and they’ve recently seconded people to help focus Housing New Zealand’s efforts, so they’ve got Eddie Durie, Waaka Vercoe, Rau Hoskins to help that subcommittee,” Ms Street says.

Housing New Zealand is looking to strengthen its relationships with iwi.

TANGI TRAINING OFFERED BY KAEO MARAE

A far north marae is holding a tupapaku wananaga so it can teach whanau what to do when someone dies.

Coordinator Sarly Shepard says many whanau who come back to Te Aroha Otangaroa Marae in Kaeo don't know basic tikanga, and wander round the marae in a bewildered state.

The first session this weekend will cover the first few hours leading up to a tangi.

“We are starting from the moment we get the phone call, identifying who they may be, in case there’s more than one, how the hau kainga gets ready for the mate coming home, the wero and if anyone’s going to be challenging to take them somewhere else, and putting these things to a whanau who don’t come home often so they don’t feel out of place,” Ms Shepard says.

The wananga will be held in Kaeo and at Whaiora Marae in Otara.

VIOLENCE INCREASE TIP OF ICEBERG

Women's Refuge says a reported increase in family violence crimes last year is the tip of the iceberg.

Police say violent crime was up 12.3 per cent, almost of of it because of more reporting of family violence.

Heather Henare, the chief executive of the National Collective of Independent Womens Refuges, says the jump reflects the 65 percent increase in referrals experienced by refuges over the past five years.

While the trend is alarming, it shows anti-violence campaigns like It's Not Ok are getting through.

“I think it's about the systems linking up. I think it’s about there being a new awareness within whanau round recognising violence, challenging it, responding to it, referring it on and the message is getting out there really clearly that it's unacceptable,” Ms Henare says.

More resources need to be put into addressing the epidemic of family violence in New Zealand.

TOUR GUIDE BOOSTS TANGATA WHENUA BUSINESS

A new tool to promote Maori tourism is being launched at Parliament today.

The New Zealand Maori Tourism Trade Manual will tell travel wholesalers and tour operators which Maori businesses are Qualmark accredited or export ready.

It includes almost 100 ventures including accommodation, tours, cultural performances, dining and art galleries.

John Barrett from the Maori Tourism Council says it's the first time a comprehensive collection of Maori operators has been pulled together.

“It's designed for tourism operators in different parts of the world to use to recommend to their clients in the USA or Europe or wherever they happen to be a range of Maori tour options that are avail here. They will be doing the selling on behalf of the Maori tourism people here in Aotearoa,” Mr Barrett says.

TEACHERS SOUGHT FOR TRANS-TASMAN TE REO

Sydney Maori are trying to attract more teachers of te reo to cross the Tasman.

Tarewa Paringatai made the move four years ago to teach by the ataarangi method, which uses coloured rods to generate conversations in the language.

His kura, Te Reo Maioha ki Poihakena, now runs four classes a week for more than a hundred students.

He says there's huge demand among Maori who want to keep up with the language revival back in Aotearoa, but there's not enough teachers to go round.

“We're working on training up a few now as kaiawhina and then if they want to go to the next level we’ll have to fly them home to get trained or, depending on the numbers, we may look at flying some kaiako from over there to train us over here,” Mr Paringatai says.

Timetable for CNI deal stretching

The head of one of the iwi negotiating the $400 million central North Island settlement says a package acceptable to members could still be three weeks away.

Members of the Central North Island cluster are due to meet Treaty Negotiations Minister Michael Cullen on Friday to report progress on designing a settlement using crown forest land.

They are now working with Te Pumautanga o Te Arawa, whose $90 million settlement on behalf of some Te Arawa hapu and iwi was put on hold while the CNI cluster developed its position.

Bill Bird from Ngati Manawa says the iwi are using their collective intellect to design a fair distribution model based on tikanga.

“We've been given the opportunity to come up with a model that will satisfy all that have minimal interests, and those that have strong interests. We are very pleased with where we have progressed to over the last, we could say seven days, but we’ve got about another three weeks to come up with a model that will satisfy our people,” Mr Bird says.

IWI CALLED ON TO INVEST IN CHILD TRUST

A senior Maori cleric is challenging iwi to invest in their social responsibilities.

Hone Kaa says a new charitable Trust formed to address Maori child abuse is going to need considerable resources to be effective.

Te Kahui Mana Ririki, which was formed out of last year's child abuse summit in Auckland, is developing a programme of advocacy backed by evidence-based research, to ensure it is targeting the areas most in need.

Dr Kaa says it's a Maori responsibility to act.

“We'd like to think that not only can we go to the state coffers but also tap into the huge resources that are available among our iwi right now. We may be doing well in our commercial enterprises but social enterprises, we’re not investing as much as we should,” Dr Kaa says.

WELL DESERVED GONG FOR MEREANA HUTCHEN

A Kai Tahu kuia has been recognised for her work advocating on behalf of abused Maori women.

Mereana Mokikiwa Hutchen, or Auntie Kiwa, received a Queens Service Medal at Government House in Wellington this afternoon for services to Maori women in Canterbury.

She's been the kuia for Christchurch Women’s Prison as well as contributing to Child Youth and Family, Plunket, and Te Puna Oranga.

Women's refuge chief executive Heather Henare says Auntie Kiwa has also been a rock for the Otautahi Maori Women’s Refuge and the national collective or refuges.

“She is an advisor to me. She is an advisor to our Maori unit. She shows leadership within our organisation. When we have an issue where we need some wisdom, and with her expertise and experience, she is the one we are likely to go to,” Ms Henare says.

MORE DATA NEEDED ON WAHINE IN GOVERNANCE

The Human Rights Commission is challenging government agencies and the Ministry of Women's Affairs to collect more data on wahine Maori in management or governance positions.

Judy McGregor, the Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner, says a lack of information on Maori was a problem when putting together the Census of Women's participation.

The commission did get data from non-government sources, such as iwi authorities, Hui Taumata and the Maori Women's Welfare League.

She says it revealed some positive signs.

“There was quite a high proportion in the figures we collected of Maori women at board level in Maori organisations, around 42 percent, and around 27 percent representation of Maori women in management of Maori organisations,” Dr McGregor says.

The census showed women are significantly under-represented in the governance of New Zealand business.

MAORI SUPPORT WANTED FOR MENTAL HEALTH REVIEW

The Greens youth affairs spokesperson wants Maori to support a review of adolescent mental health services.

Sue Bradford says the death of a young student on the North Shore, is a reminder schools often lack resources to deal with rangatahi with mental health problems.

She says Maori suffer disproportionately from mental illness, and the availability and quality of services is a real issue.

“It's almost epidemic in some communities and I’m sure there are many Maori working in the field and Maori families and leaders who would support a full inquiry into our mental health services with a real focus also on how we do and don’t look after our children and young people with a mental illness,” Ms Bradford says.

TE REO COURSES FIND DEMAND ACTROSS TASMAN

A Sydney-based teacher of Maori says there are no problems attracting students ... but finding teachers is a different story.

Tarewa Paringaatai crossed the Tasman four years ago to teach using the Te Ataarangi method.

His Te Reo Maioha ki Poihakena now runs four classes a week for more than a hundred students, and has many more on its waiting list.

Mr Paringaatai says Maori in Australia's largest city are keen to re-connect with their own language.

“Some of the students that have come on board have been here for 20, 30, 40 years and the call for them has come, but some of them want to go home with a bit of reo because they know that it’s being spoken across the motu back home, so we’re blessed to be part of their journey,” he says.

Mr Paringaatai says the large Maori community in Woolongong just south of Sydney is also keen to host Ataarangi classes in their city.

Nga Awa Purua steaming ahead

Moves to build a second geothermal power station on Maori land north of Taupo have taken a big step forward.

Joint venture partners Tauhara North No 2 and Mighty River Power have signed Japanese company Sumitomo to build the 132 megawatt station on the Rotokawa steamfield.

Aroha Campbell, Tauhara's executive officer, says it will be called Nga Awa Purua, after the rapids on Waikato River adjacent to the trust's land.

She says Tauhara has a 25 percent stake, but that could go up.

“We have the option after too years, if we want to increase that up to 35 percent. And so therefore from our perspective it just gets better. And we need to put plans in place to ensure we have got our benefits for our owners,” Ms Campbell says.

There is increased interest among Ngati Tahu and Ngati Whaoa rangatahi about careers in engineering because of the power developments, and three students are taking degrees on scholarships funded by Mighty River.

GOOD TIME TO NAIL TREATY SETTLEMENTS

A former Labour cabinet minister says the prospect of a change of government means it's a great time for iwi to nail down treaty settlements.

Central North Island claimants are meeting treaty negotiations minister Michael Cullen at Waihi on the shores of Lake Taupo on Friday to present their formula for multi-iwi settlement, using the Kaingaroa forest.

John Tamihere says because of the time spent at the negotiating table, there's always pressure to settle before an election.

“What you do is you can get sign off deals done. Particularly when you are signing off with the minister of Finance. The guy, whether you like him or hate him, is the most competent and capable intellect that the country probably has got in the political and financial area. Secondly, he's very fair,” Mr Tamihere says.

He says if it goes ahead, the proposed a $400 million settlement will give central North Island iwi a marvelous chance to determine their own development.

KAPITI WRITER HEADING FOR FANTASY ISLAND

A Maori fantasy adventure is on the cards for Kapiti Island's next writer in residence.

Paora Tibble from Ngati Porou and Ngati Raukawa will take up the eight week residency at the Kapiti Ecolodge in June.

He says books like Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings were drawn from mythology, and tamariki Maori deserve similar stories from their own heritage.

“Thinking about Rarohenga, where Maui finds his olds, where his mum shoots off all the time. Try to create another parallel world to this one, where the kids go on an adventure and they try to figure out who they are and what they are doing in this world, and ak that kind of stuff, and save the world at the same time,” Mr Tibble says.

He feels more comfortable writing in te reo Maori.

POLICE HAD STRATEGIC WIN FROM RUATOKI RAID

A Tuhoe leader says police don't care about the harm they did his iwi.

Tamati Kruger says Police Commissioner Howard Broad's statement of regret for the hurt caused to Ngai Tuhoe, given at a hui in Wainuiomata last week, doesn't mean much without a formal apology.

He says last October's anti-terror arrests and the barricading of the eastern Bay of Plenty township, was part of a deliberate strategy to create a phantom threat.

“They've got free information from the confiscation of electronic information from people. They now have information about networks and associations of people all over the world and all over the country. They have raised the specter for the New Zealand public to fear Maori activism and they have got extended powers, so all in all they've achieved their goal,” Mr Kruger says.

He says Police Commissioner Broad has failed to even acknowledge Tuhoe's request for face to face discussions on the October terror raids.

NEW BUILDING CODE A WINDOW OF HOPE FOR IWI SCHEME

Ngati Kahungunu's plans for a 100-home development in the Hawkes Bay have been boosted by proposed changes to building rules.

Runanga chair Ngahiwi Tomoana says for almost two decades the iwi's attempts to house its members have been foiled by arrogant government officials and excessive red tape.

But Building and Construction Minister Shane Jones' idea of a fast-track consent process for pre-approved designs fits in with what Ngati Kahungunu Ki Herataunga wants to do on its land at Flaxmere.

“This has been on the radar for 20 years now, but successive governments and ministers and regimes have ignored us as real players in the housing market for our own people, so with Shane’s announcements and the policies which come with it, I think it can only augur well for what we've been trying to do,” Mr Tomoana says.

Work on the development will start within the year.

BUSINESS SKILLS NEEDED FOR YOUNG

A Ngati Porou kaumatua says rangatahi need to be taught business skills young.

Pene Harrison helps run the Maori Women's Development Incorporation's Kaipakihi Rangi Wairua programme, which runs wananga for Maori high school students.

Students on his latest course at Kawerau College came up with a plan for a flavoured water business they hope can earn their school $60,000 a year.

He says everyone needs some business basics, and the best time to reach Maori is in the schools.

“Some of these kids will never do any formal business studies. They won’t go to University and do business studies or accounting or economics or any of those business related subjects. That will probably be the only learning that they will have,” Mr Harrison says.

The incorporation, an offshoot of the Maori Women's Welfare League, took over the Kaipakihi Rangi Wairua programme from Lion Nathan.

CNI deal driven by fairness - Kruger

A negotiator working on a $400 million settlement of Central North island claims says all parties are motivated by a sense of fairness.

Representatives from Tuwharetoa, Tuhoe, Ngati Rangitihi, Ngati Whakaue and Ngati Whare will meet treaty negotiations minister Michael Cullen in Taupo on Friday to say how the Kaingaroa forest can be used for a commercial settlement.

The CNI deal is likely to involve a trust headed by Tuwharetoa leader Tumu te Heuheu to manage the forest as a single unit.

Tamati Kruger from Ngai Tuhoe says there has been a lot of goodwill generated by the fast track process, which was instigated after proposed settlement with Te Arawa collective Nga Pumautanga ran into political flak.

“It does come down to faith and confidence between the parties and the personalities that are leading out each party an a strong sense of well and fairness,” Mr Kruger says.

WARNING CNI SETTLMENT RUSHING THROUGH

But Maanu Paul from Ngai Moewhare, whose traditional lands lie within the Kaingaroa Forest, says the Crown will keep getting it wrong as long as it keeps cutting corners.

Nga Moewhare has asked the Waitangi Tribunal for a resumption order, which would require the Crown to hand over the forest land to the hapu if it could not show it had clear title.

Mr Paul says the tribunal has heard evidence of historic battles which prove Tuhoe and Tuwharetoa have no rights to Kaingaroa.

“They've given the CNI a commercial redress package which is all about managing the forests. It’s not about handing the land back to the owners. And this government doesn’t care who it gives the management rights to. It will overrule the direct owners – Ngai Moewhare, Ngati Whaoa, Ngati Tahu and Ngati Rangitihi,” Mr Paul says.

He says the proposed deal will allow the Crown to hang on to billions of dollars of carbon credits from central North Island forests.

MANUKAU PRESSES FORWARD ON FLAG RESOLUTION

Manukau City's Treaty of Waitangi Committee is going back to the Maori community to ask which flag it should be fighting for.
The council last week knocked back an attempt to ban flying of the tino rangatiratanga flag, and asked for a report on a flag policy.

Alf Filiapaina, the chair of the treaty committee, say there needs to be more debate about how Manukau acknowledges its large Maori population.

“Because everyone knows there’s also another flag that people do look at, and that’s the United Confederation of Tribes, so that’s another flag, but let our Maori community decide which one they believe is representative of our Maori community,” Mr Filiapaina says.

POLICE COMMISSIONER AVOIDING TUHOE DESPITE SLIGHT REGRET

A Tuhoe leader says Police Commissioner Howard Broad hasn't responded to requests to talk with the iwi about last October's terror raid on Ruatoki.

Mr Broad told a hui at a Wellington marae on Friday that he regretted the hurt caused by the raid, but he took the action he believed at the time was right, based on advice.

He has not ruled out a formal apology, but it would have to go through internal procedures.

Tamati Kruger says Tuhoe has heard nothing from Mr Broad, formally or informally.

“He has never replied to our letter. He has never indicated to us directly that he would want to speak to us. He has made no form of contact at all with us over it. But he seems to be using the media to indicate police are open to discussion, but he actually does not take the next step,” Mr Kruger says.

He says the police seem to be hoping that by the time the cases come to court, people will have forgotten the outrageous way the police acted.

RESEARCHER LOOK AT BETTER WAYS TO LINK YOUNG TO MARAE

Auckland University researchers are looking at the links successful rangatahi success have to their marae and language.

Merata Kawharu from the James Henare Research Centre says the two-year project, funded by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, aims to develop resources which can be used by schools and marae.

She says many young Maori need help to become familiar with their regional dialect, proverbs and history.

“Most Maori still happen to live in the cities and there are still a lot of rangatahi that our kaumatua are saying have lost touch with the knowledge they were brought up with, so we are trying to bridge some gaps,” Dr Kawharu says.

She says whatever resources are created, there is no substitute for going back to your home marae for instruction.

NEW BOOK FOR FILM CREW PROTOCOLS

Film crews now have a guide for filming in Maori communities.

A handbook on protocols was launched at the weekend conference of Nga Aho Whakaari, an umbrella group for Maori working in film and television.

Author Brad Haami says Urutahi ko-ata-ata will benefit both Maori and non-Maori production houses.

“When you're going to film in a Maori community, you should really talk to the local people about the type of imagery you are going to use and how to work with those communities to get the best pictures that you need, Probably get a better product than if you just bowl in there and don’t bother to get the okay,” he says.

Mr Haami says other indigenous producers have shown interest in translating the handbook.

TV hui opens up world of opportunity

Expect to see more Native Americans, Native Canadians, Welsh and Taiwanese on Maori Television.

That's one of the outcomes of the first World Indigneous Television Broadcasters Conference, which wound up in Auckland on Friday.

Jim Mather, the Maori channel's chief executive, says it was a great opportunity for the broadcasters to find how much they had in common.

He says the nine organisations represented from around the world are keen to maintain the momentum.

“Previously we had all been operating in isolation and not really connecting or sharing programming or other areas of expertise so we’ve created a world indigenous television broadcasters’ network which is probably one of the key outcomes of the conference and it is going to ensure that we remain connected and start getting some efficiencies out of that relationship,” Mr Mather says.

The network could lead to sharing of programmes and staff exchanges.

RANGATAHI TRAINED FOR FORESTRY SHORTAGE

Ten Northland rangatahi are off to jobs in forestry after graduating from a course aimed at addressing a labour shortage in the industry.

Morgan Toia, a Northland training advisor for the Forest Industry Training and Education Consortium, says the pine forests planted on Maori land in the north in the 1970s and 80s are now maturing, and people are needed to cut them down.

The seven-week course was run in association with Work and Income and lessee Hancock Forest Management,

While most of the trainees had little forestry experience, they were chosen because they had the right attitude.

“You've got to like it because it’s a lot of hard work. Maori excel in that sort of thing and the teamwork that’s involved in working in the bush. It’s been like that a long time, going back 50 years. Maori have always been predominant in forestry,” Mr Toia says.

The next FITEC course will probably be run on the East Coast, where there a similar labour shortage and forests coming on stream.

MAORI-CHINESE STUDY TAKES POSITIVE SLANT

The author of a study of relationships between Maori and Chinese says she wanted to highlight some of the positives which have been overshadowed in recent years.

Manying Ip, an associate professor at Auckland University's school of Asian studies, says the influx of Asian migrants in the 1990s caused tensions and resentment in some Maori communities.

She says her earlier research into the history of Chinese migration to New Zealand told her that was not always the way.

“In all those years that I’ve been doing the Chinese community, the Maori presence always came up in the reminiscences, in the recollections of the Chinese people. They are market gardeners and they all know of mixed Chinese-Maori families or they would have very close relationship with Maori people, cousins and brothers. They are very close, very cordial relationship,” Dr Ip says.

Being Maori-Chinese: Mixed Identities is published by Auckland University Press.

COMMISSIONER’S WORDS SMALL STEP TOWARDS APOLOGY

Maori Party MP Te Ururoa Flavell says the Police Commissioner’s expression of regret for the hurt caused by last October's terror raids in Ruatoki was a good first step.


But the Waiariki MP says a formal apology should be offered to Tuhoe as well as an explanation.

He also questions the appropriateness of the commissioner making the statement at a hui in Wainuiomata without talking to Tuhoe.

“The biggest issue at the moment is the ability to go in front of the people and face the people who bore the bring of the actions of the police. That’s where things have got to end up,” Mr Flavell says.

The Human Rights Commission and the Police Complaints Authority have been asked to look at the way the raids were executed.

CONFERENCE BRINGS SALES OPPORTUNITIES FOR MAORI

Nga Aho Whakaari members are welcoming the chance to sell their programmes to overseas television stations.

Ngamaru Raerino, who chairs the association of Maori in Film, Video and Television, says last week’s conference of Indigenous broadcasters was a great opportunity to look at offshore markets for Maori programmes.

Advances in technology mean that Maori content can be made easily available and the rise of indigenous media means there's a ready appetite for Maori stories.

MAORI MOTIFS DRIVE HIGH CLASS DESIGN SENSE

A Maori fashion designer hopes Maori motifs will be her ticket to the world of haute couture.

Krystal Higgison from Ngapuhi, Tuhoe and Dutch stock is developing a menswear line to sell through her Auckland boutique, Little Black Crown.

She says while Maori casual wear is taking off in this country, she prefers to use Maori ideas and motifs in a more high fashion way, with overseas markets her eventual aim.

“I mean that's more important to me than making it at home really because everyone’s aware of it here and I think it’s much more exciting to know that you can take that overseas and make people that wouldn’t have easy access to it know more about it,” Higgison says.