Waatea News Update

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Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Harawira turns defence into attack on Labour

Veteran activitist Titewhai Harawira says people should be offended by the country's history, not a few Pakeha words used in anger by her embattled son.

On Radio Waatea yesterday, Maori Party MP Hone Harawira attempted to justify going to Paris instead of attending an scheduled meeting at the European Parliament in Brussels, and apologised for the obscene language he used in brushing off a party supporter who questioned the side trip.

Labour Leader Phil Goff says it was not a credible apology.

But Mrs Harawira says Labour's Foreshore and Seabed Act was far more offensive than the language used by her son.

“I listened to Phil Goff and thought well, a few Pakeha words here or there and people are offended but what about the racist legislation he as the Labour Party introduced when they stole the takutai moana that divided the Maori world, the Pakeha world and everyone else in this country and it is still there and it is law,” Mrs Harawira says.

She says it is ironic that her son came in for criticism on the anniversary of the invasion of Parihaka by colonial troops.

ROTOMA 1 SEEKS INVESTMENT FROM NEIGHBOURS IN STEAM POWER

One of Rotorua's oldest Maori land incorporations is offering neighboring land trusts the chance to invest in its $200 million geothermal power station.

Rotoma No 1, which represents about 1700 landowners, is seeking a resource consent from Environment Bay of Plenty to build a 35 kilowatt station on the shores of Lake Rotoma.

Chair Robbie Gardiner says the incorporation owns forestry assets worth about $16 million, so it will need partners.

“We've spent time trying to work out a memorandum so we can share in what we have, even though we’re going alone with the resource consent, we are still open for out cousins to become part of the project. They have got to come to the party too but if they don’t we are going to carry on because we need it,” Mr Gardiner says.

He is disappointed some neighbouring trust are objecting on the grounds the power station will disturb waahi tapu, as he's confident it won't affect sacred things like the soda hot springs by the lake.

TARANAKI SIGNS UP FOR FESTIVAL OF PRIDE AND WHANUNGATANGA

Registrations are coming in fast for the first Taranaki Maori Festival.

Organiser Wharehoka Wano says the eight iwi will come together at Waitara for sports, kapahaka, debates and wananaga.

He says more than 1000 are expected at the two day festival which starts on Friday.

He says the festival is not just for the people at home but for the hono around the country.

COMPETITION FAILURE CHANCE FOR REDESIGN WITH MANA WHENUA

The chair of Te Runanga o Ngati Whatua runanga says the inability of politicians to come up with a suitable design for Auckland's Queens Wharf opens the way for Maori input.

Auckland mayor John Banks and Auckland Regional Council chair Mike Lee last week rejected all the designs submitted through a competition.

Naida Glavish says the competition ignored mana whenua iwi, so now the politicians now have a chance to make amends.

“I expect them to now make contact. Grow up. We’re here. We’ve always been here, and it’s your opportunity to not only acknowledge the fact that we’re here but to showcase it and be proud as we are of Tamaki Makaurau,” Ms Glavish says.

Ngati Whatua doesn't want to be exclusive but to have the Maori component of the city showcased.

INSTANT MAORI GUIDE PROVING POPULAR

The co author of the Instant Maori phrasebook says the next move is to digitise the information so people can access the information through their cellphones.

Paul Walker from Taranaki and Te Atiawa says the pocketsized book of words and phrases and words has sold more than 50 thousand copies in four print runs.

Mr Walker says co-author Nick Theobald has produced similar books in Indonesian, Cantonese and Thai.

He says putting into phrases like "honey I'm pregnant," or "does my bum look big in this" into Maori have struck a chord, and it's time Instant Maori went digital.

MOANA AND THE TRIBE ADD HAKA TO IKA

Moana Maniapoto has a fishy tale about her latest overseas gig.

Moana and the Tribe helped open an new aquarium in the Turkish city of Istanbul.

It's the 24th built by the New Zealand team behind the construction of Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World in Auckland, and makes use of the same patented technology for submerged walkways and travelators.

Ms Maniapoto says the performances of the Tribe's four kapa haka experts went down well with Turkish audiences, who really warmed to the group.

Moana Maniapoto and the Tribe also played Istanbul's Babylon Club, regarded as one of the top venues in Europe.

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