Waatea News Update

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Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Tainui inland port best use for land

The chief executive of Tainui Group Holdings says an inland port is the best use for former agricultural research land at Ruakura which was returned to Waikato Tainui in its treaty settlement.

Mike Pohio says once development of The Base at Te Rapa is complete, the company's attention will shift to the 300 hectares on the southeast fringe of Hamilton.

The former Port of Tauranga executive says the government's $800 million investment in the Waikato Expressway, which will cross the Hamilton-Tauranga rail line at Ruakura, makes the land ideal spot for a distribution and logistics hub.

“When I came it was allocated for residential subdivision based on the fact that there had been previous success and continues to be success in residential subdivision. But when you look at the scale of land, look at the infrastructure, look at the wider picture of trade flows, it did and remains sensible outcome not just for TGH but for wider public interests,” Mr Pohio says.

While existing developments like the $120 Te Awa mall at Te Rapa and the hotel at Auckland International Airport have used bank debt, in future the tribe may issue its own bonds to better match its investment and income stream.

WOMEN TO BE PAMPERED FOR A NIGHT

An Auckland trust expects up to 1500 disadvantaged women and their children to turn up for some serious pampering tonight.

The Life Centre Trust's Streetreach programme offers support for sex workers, sufferers of domestic violence and women in refuges.

Coordinator Debbie Baker says the annual pamper night aims to give vulnerable women a pick me up with donations of make-up, beauty products, gifts and food.

“So it's not just about the street girls, it’s about women who just need a night of care, need a night away from the environment they’re in. Unfortunately the problem is getting worse out there. There’s a lot of Maori women and people from all walks of life affected by abuse,” Ms Baker says.

CONCERN OVER ANOTHER BABY DEATH

As police lay charges against a 30-year-old man in relation to the death yesterday of his partner's six-month-old son, Hone Kaa from the anti abuse group Te Kaahui Mana Ririki is calling for more support for new mothers and their families to help protect against child abuse.

Hai taana...me whakawhaanui te kupenga aawhina ki nga whaea me oo ratou tamariki:

UPPER RIVER IWI JOIN CLEANUP COUNCIL

Ngati Raukawa's chief executive says allowing iwi from the upper Waikato River to join the co-management regime will help in the clean up of the awa.

A bill adding Ngati Tuwharetoa, Raukawa and Te Arawa had its first reading last night.

Chris McKenzie says all iwi on the river are keen to work together on the $210 million project.

“On the Crown's watch the river has degraded to a state of pollution that’s unseen in the history of the river but good on them for identifying we need to do something about it, that we need to work together, so I do credit this gove4rnment and the previous government for that realization,” Mr McKenzie says.

He McKenzie says it has taken several generations to pollute the river to its current state, and it will take generations until it's safe to drink the water again.

COUNCIL WORKERS DAMAGE MAUNGA IN TAMAKI

Auckland iwi are condemning the damage to archaelogical sites by council contractors working on Auckland's maunga.

Eru Thompson from Te Kawerau a Maki and Tainui says the Auckland City Council is failing to consult iwi, as it is required to under the volcanic cones management agreement.

He says maunga over the isthmus have been scarred by badly-conceived maintenance projects such as fences, and the council needs to be made accountable.

NOT ENOUGH DONE TO PROTECT SITES

Meanwhile Ngarimu Blair, the environment manager for Ngati Whatua ki Orakei, says the Auckland City Council needs to do more to protect the city's archeological sites.

Hai taa Ngaarimu Blair ko Maungarei ko Owairaka ko Remuera me Puketaapapa etahi o nga maunga kua tuukinotia:

REGGAE GIVEN CATEGORY IN MUSIC AWARDS

The Waiata Maori Awards are getting a revamp to acknowledge the growth in urban Maori music.

The awards will be announced at a concert at the Hawkes Bay Opera House in September.

Organiser Tama Huata says the urban category has been split, with a separate category created for reggae.

He says many of the artists are recording in garages, and the awards are a chance to reach a wider audience.

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