Waatea News Update

News from Waatea 603 AM, Urban Maori radio, first with Maori news

My Photo
Name:
Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Monday, September 07, 2009

Radical proposal to make NZ smoke free

A leading public health specialist says targeting Maori smokers could be the start of a radical strategy to make New Zealand tobacco free.

Richard Edwards, a Senior Lecturer in epidemiology at Otago University's Wellington school of medicine, says smoking kills about 5000 New Zealanders a year and costs over a billion dollars.

He says surveys have found there would be support among smokers and non-smokers and Maori and non- Maori for reducing the amount of tobacco allowed into the country each year and creating a public body to control its distribution, marketing and sale.

Dr Edwards the ideas may sound radical, but so did a ban on smoking in pubs when it was first mooted.

KIDS NEED LESSONS ON MONEY MANAGEMENT

A Maori accountant wants parents to talk to their tamariki about money matters.

A survey released today by the Institute of Financial Advisers shows New Zealand children have very little financial literacy, with only eight of the 40 questions in the survey being answered correctly by more than half the respondents.

Leon Wijohn from Nga Kaitatau o Aotearoa, the national network of Maori accountants, says financial illiteracy is a national problem, and Maori parents need to ensure their kids know how to manage their money.

He says students need to learn how to interpret and use financial information their long-term benefit.

WHANGARA MAI TAWHITI TAKE OUT TAIRAWHITI REGIONAL COMPS

Whangara Mai Tawhiti confirmed its status as one of the country's top culture groups with a convincing win at the Tamararo festival held at the Gisborne Showgrounds over the weekend.

It beat out another two roopu with distinguished pedigree, Waihirere and Te Hokowhitu a Tu.

Organiser Willie Te Aho says country's longest running kapa haka competition allows Tairawhiti teams to keep their national highfliers honest.

Next on the kapa haka calender is the National Primary Schools competition - a three day festival at rugby park in Gisborne which kicks off on November the first.

MMP THREAT COULD SHUT MAORI OUT OF GOVERNMENT

The co-leader of the Green Party warns that ditching MMP will have dire consequences for Maori.

Cabinet is considering whether the binding referendum on the future of the mixed member proportional system, as promised in National's election policy, should be held before, or at the same time, as the next general election.

Metiria Turei says a review needs to be held before any referendum to identify what's working... what's not... and what other options are available.

She says MMP has delivered voices to the Parliament that were missing under First-Past-The-Post

“We've increased the number of Maori in the MMP parliament, of women, of ethnic and religious minorities and a much broader range of political views and that make for collaborative governance, it holds the executive to account and means that everyone is represented in the parliament,” Ms Turei says.

She says without MMP Maori are likely to lose their voice in central government.

EDUCATION HUI POINTS TO NEED TO NETWORK

Maori in rural schools are looking at how they can work together to better serve their students.

The first Maori Rural Education symposium at Morero marae in Taumarunui attracted more than 250 teachers and supporters to hear from Maori education specialists including Linda Tuhiwai Smith, Ngapare Hopa, Wally Penetito and Rose Pere.

Organising committee member Te Huinga Jackson-Greenland says rural schools are too small to stand alone, and they need to talk to other kura in their area, including mainstream schools.

A further gathering is likely, with the Tuhoe settlement of Ruatahuna offering to host it.


SWANS AND SWANDRI WINNER FOR SKIPWITH IN STYLE PASIFIKA

Maori fashion designer Amiria Skipwith walked away with the top prize in the Parent and Child section at the Westfield Style Pasifika Awards.

The awards, now in their 15th year, are recognised as showcasing Aotearoa's own indigenous style and launching some of the country's finest design talent.

The Manurewa woman, who trades under the Tiki Villa label, used swandri material and recycled blankets to make a hooded jacket for the mother, matching knickerbockers, set off by a bag with a design drawn from a Crown Lynn swan vase.

Amiria Skipwith says the Pasifika award is a great way to get her name out in the market.

1 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

would love 2 have seen pix 4 the fashion show

11:38 pm  

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home