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E40 Salient Māori News Items for the Week ending 16 November 2018

  • On Wednesday the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Phil Twyford, announced that a Māori Housing Unit will be established as part of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. Minister Twyford also announced that Minister Nanaia Mahuta will be appointed as the Associate Minister of Housing and Urban Development – Māori Housing.
  • Te Rūnanga ō Ngāi Tahu has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Oranga Tamariki to work together when Ngāi Tahu children become part of Oranga Tamariki services.
  • Last week the Ministry of Health published data tables for registered fetal and infant deaths in 2015. The data showed that in 2015:
    • 6% (17,781) of all live births were Māori babies;
    • 26% (100) of all fetal deaths were Māori;
    • the Māori fetal death rate was 5.6 per 1,000 live Māori births (the lowest fetal death rate amongst recorded ethnic groups);
    • 7% (87) of all infant deaths were Māori; and
    • the Māori infant death rate was 4.9 per 1,000 live Māori births.
  • https://www.health.govt.nz/publication/fetal-and-infant-deaths-2015

  • This week the media released that Ngāti Hine Forestry destroyed $160,000 of pine seedlings which had been funded by the Government’s regional economic development One Billion Trees project. We advise that despite the initial loss on investment further projects between Ngāti Hine Forestry and Te Uru Rākau (Forestry New Zealand) are ongoing.
  • On Tuesday the declaration of voting results for the Whakatōhea Settlement Process were published. Whakatōhea iwi members were asked to vote on the following three questions:
    • 1. Do you support the Whakatōhea Pre-Settlement Claims Trust continuing to negotiate to reach a settlement with the Crown of the historical Treaty claims of Whakatōhea?
    • 2a. Do you wish to see the current Treaty negotiations stopped in order that a mandate process be re-run from the start?
    • 2b. Do you wish to see the current Treaty negotiations stopped in order that the Waitangi Tribunal can carry out an inquiry into the historical grievances of Whakatōhea?
      Overall, 56% of respondents to question 1. voted to continue the current settlement process led by the Whakatōhea Pre-Settlement Claims Trust, 81 percent of respondents to question 2a. voted against stopping  current Treaty negotiations in order that a mandate process be re-run from the start, and 72% of respondents to question 2b. voted in favour of stopping current Treaty negotiations in order that the Waitangi Tribunal can carry out an inquiry into the historical grievances of Whakatōhea.  How the Whakatōhea Settlement Process is to progress from this point forward is yet to be determined.
Posted by Seattle Ropiha

Salient Māori News Items for the Week ending 9 November 2018

  • This week the Rātana Movement celebrated its centenary at Rātana Pa. The Rātana movement was founded by Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana on November 8 1918.
  • The fourth round of consultation hui on the proposal to evolve the Ngāpuhi mandate and negotiations structure commence this evening. In total twenty hui will be held including four across Australia. See appendix one for hui details.
  • This week the Marsden Fund awards for 2018 were announced. In total 85 research projects were successful of these the following 13 projects had a Māori focus:
o   Dr RS Phillipps Past Māori social organisation and movement in the North Island, New Zealand
o   Dr CM Greenhalgh Hapū: Women and Pregnancy in Twentieth-century New Zealand
o   Dr AG Harris Whanau Ora With, Against, and Beyond the State
o   Dr KA Paringatai E kore au e ngaro! The enduring legacy of whakapapa
o   Associate Professor AC Wanhalla Te Hau Kāinga: Histories and Legacies of the Māori Home Front, 1939-45
o   Professor M Kawharu A question of identity: how connected are Maori youth to ancestral marae, and does it matter?
o   Dr JW Tuaupiki Te Kāpaukura a Kupe: The Ocean in the Sky – Māori Navigation Knowledge
o   Associate Professor AG Hogg When and why did all the pā arrive? A multidisciplinary investigation into the spatial-temporal role of pā in the development of Māori culture
o   Dr WW Waitoki The embrace of our ancestors: reimagining and recontextualising mātauranga Māori in psychology.
o   Dr NA Hessell Sensitive Negotiations: Indigenous Diplomacy and British Romantic Poetry
o   Dr CI Schipper Navigating a Sea of Bias in the Study of Volcanic Gas Emissions: He Waka Eke Noa
o   Associate Professor J Kidman He Taonga te Wareware?: Remembering and Forgetting Difficult Histories in Aotearoa/ New Zealand
o   Professor JM Cumming Understanding the ‘black box’ of evaluation culture and practice in New Zealand.

 

Appendix One:
Ngāpuhi Mandate and Negotiations Structure Hui

Region Date and Time Location
Whangārei 9 November, 5.30 – 7.30pm Whangārei Terenga Parāoa Marae, Morningside, Whangarei
Mangakāhia 10 November, 8.30 – 11am Maungarongo Marae,  Porotī, Northland
Hokianga 10 November, 1.30 – 3.30pm Pākanae Marae, Ōpononi, Northland
Kaikohe 10 November, 5 -7pm Kaikohe & District Memorial RSA, Kaikohe
Whangaroa 11 November, 8.30 -10.30am Whangaroa College, Kaeo
Te Pēwhairangi 11 November, 12 to 2pm Waitangi Copthorne, Waitangi, Bay of Islands.
Tāmaki ki te Tonga 11 November, 6 – 8pm Holiday Inn Auckland Airport, Mangere, Auckland.
Hamilton 12 November, 11am – 1pm Distinction Hamilton Hotel &

Conference Centre, Hamilton.
Tāmaki ki raro 12 November, 5.30 – 7.30pm Alexandra Park, Greenlane, Auckland.
Dunedin 12 November, 6 -8pm Te Huka Mātauraka Māori Centre,

University of Otago, Dunedin.
Wellington 13 November, 8.30 – 10.30am Te Wharewaka o Pōneke, Wellington.
Whanganui 13 November, 5.30pm -7.30pm Whanganui Function Centre, The Racecourse, Whanganui.
Invercargill 13 November, 5.30 -7.30pm Corinthian Convention Centre, Invercargill
Christchurch 14 November, 5.30 – 7.30pm Crowne Plaza, 764 Colombo Street, Christchurch
Napier 15 November, 11am – 1pm Napier War Memorial and Conference Centre, Napier
Rotorua 15 November, 5.30 – 7.30pm Novotel Rotorua Lakeside, Rotorua.
Tūranga (Gisborne) 15 November, 5.30 – 7.30pm Emerald Hotel, Gisborne.
Perth 17 November, 3 -5pm Darius Wells Library and Resource Centre, Ken Jackman Hall, Chisham Avenue & Robbos Place, Kwinana Town Centre, Western Australia
Brisbane 18 November, 10:30am -1pm Wynnum Manly Leagues Club, 92 Wondall Rd, Manly Queensland.
Melbourne 18 November, 12 -2pm Dandenong Workers Social Club, 52-70 Wedge Street, Dandenong, Victoria.
Sydney 18 November, 7 -9pm Te Wairua Tapu Whare Karakia, 587 Elizabeth Street, Redfern, New South Wales.

 

Posted by Seattle Ropiha

E37 Salient Māori News Items to 26 October 2018

  • Rachel Taulelei (Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Rarua, Ngāti Koata) has been appointed to the Prime Minister’s Business Advisory Council.
  • Linda Tuhīwai Smith (Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Porou) has been named the inaugural recipient of the Ngā Pae o Te Māramatanga and Royal Society Te Apārangi, Te Puawaitanga Award. The award is an acknowledgement of Ms Tuhiwai Smith’s contribution to Te Ao Māori and to Māori and Indigenous knowledge.
  • This week the finalist for the inaugural Primary Industries Good Employer Awards were named. Finalist include:
    • Employee Development – Kevin and Kylie Ihaka (Forest Protection Services);
    • Safe And Healthy Work Environments – Kevin Ihaka (Forest Protection Services); Michelle Cherrington (Moana New Zealand);
    • Māori Agribusiness – Miraka; Zac Te Ahuru (Ruapehu Agricultural Developments Ltd); Aaron Kurei (Te Kaha Gold Spraying Limited).
  • Last Wednesday Sir Ngātata Love died, aged 81 years.
  • On Thursday, the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Andrew Little announced that Ngāpuhi are now ready to vote on the treaty settlement evolved mandate proposal. Details on the voting process will be made available from the following website at 5pm today govt.nz/ngapuhi.

______________

Posted by Seattle Ropiha

Edition 38, Salient Māori News Items to 2 November 2018

  • Stacey Morrison (Ngāi Tahu, Te Arawa) has been appointed to the Ministerial Advisory Group on Public Media.
  • Martin Enright (Ngāti Pākehā) has been awarded a 2019 Winston Churchill Fellowship. Mr Enright will study targeted procurement policies in organisations in Canada and the United States of America to inform and support Māori economic empowerment in Tāmaki Makaurau and Aotearoa.
  • On Monday Te Whakatōhea Mussels celebrated the expansion of their mussel farm operations by holding a launch for their newest vessel, named Kukutai. The new vessel will help grow Te Whakatōhea Mussels’ existing annual harvest from 1,500 tonnes to up to 6,000 tonnes. The company is also awaiting consent to build an Opōtiki based processing factory. When the factory opens it will create employment opportunities for residents.
  • The Kawerau Putauaki Trust Industrial Development will receive $2 million from the Provincial Growth Fund to develop roading and other infrastructure required to support the regions’ primary industries.
  • This week the Overseas Investment Office approved Chinese company Guangxi Fenglin Wood Industry Group’s application to lease 33 hectares of land and build a wood particle board factory in Kawerau. The land is owned by Putauaki Trust. The factory will create employment for up to 100.
  • Ohia Bentham (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Pūkenga, Ngāti Ranginui, Te Āti Awa, Ngāti Rārua) has been appointed the Māori Party Vice President (tāne).
  • Ngāi Tahu Property will enter a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Queenstown Lakes District Council to explore development options in the Queenstown CBD.
  • This week the Ministry of Education published an Early Childhood Education Attendance report for 2017. The report showed that overall, 65.5% of children aged 0 to 4 years in New Zealand attended an early childhood education service. For tamariki Māori, 17% attended a Kōhanga reo, 58% attended a teacher lead education and care service, 15% attended kindergarten and 7% attended home-based services.

https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/188238/Understanding-attendance-results-from-the-2017-Early-Childhood-Education-census-v4.pdf

  • This week applications for the 2019 Te Pūnaha Hihiko: Vision Mātauranga Capability Fund opened. Up to $4 million in funding is available for people and organisations undertaking or planning research which supports the four themes of the Vision Mātauranga Policy:
    • indigenous innovation;
    • taiao (achieving environmental sustainability);
    • hauora/oranga (improving health and social wellbeing); and
    • mātauranga (exploring indigenous knowledge).

Applications close 12 noon, 19 February 2019.

https://www.mbie.govt.nz/info-services/science-innovation/funding-info-opportunities/investment-funds/vmcf/application-and-assessment-information

  • This week Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga (NPM) – New Zealand’s Māori Centre of Research Excellence announced nine research projects of investment:

http://www.maramatanga.ac.nz/projects

Posted by Seattle Ropiha

E36 19 October 2018: Social Research and Policy Snippets

Mental Health and Addiction Inquiry

The Minister of Health, David Clark, has advised that an extension has been given for the report on the Mental Health and Addiction Inquiry back to Cabinet. It will now be delivered by 30 November.  This is to recognise the 5,500 submissions were received on this topic.  (Note the submissions are considered sensitive and are therefore not available for public purview.)

By way of background, the inquiry is broad in scope, and the terms of reference enable recommendations to be made across all structures within the health and the broader public sector.  The inquiry is chaired by Professor Ron Paterson, and there are two Māori on the panel of six (Sir Mason Durie and Dean Rangihuna). This is a policy area of particular importance to Māori, as Māori are significantly over-represented in mental health service areas, and in suicide statistics. The terms of reference acknowledge this health inequality, and require the panel to consider this matter, and to also work in ways appropriate to Māori, and in accordance with the Treaty of Waitangi.


Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historic Abuse in State Care

The Minister for Internal Affairs, Tracey Martin, has put out a media statement indicating circa 500 people have expressed interest in giving evidence into the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historic Abuse in State Care. Fifteen staff are also apparently working with the Commissioner Sir Anand Satyanand in preparatory stages of the inquiry.

Yet what is missing from the media statement is any word on the appointment of other Royal Commission members – which is odd given this is such a significant inquiry, and it was announced over six months ago. That is, to date Māori input on this matter remains at zero – despite the draft terms of reference stating that, “a key focus of the Inquiry is to understand any differential impacts of abuse in state care for Māori”.  Māori tamariki comprise over half of young people in State care, so the Government needs to appoint people to this Inquiry with a strong understanding of Māori care and abuse specific matters; and the sooner the better in our assessment.


 Criminal Justice Sector Reforms – Further Consultation

The Minister of Justice, Andrew Little, has announced that his advisory group for justice sector reforms will now hold a series of regional public consultation meetings. By way of background, this initiative is called, Hāpai i te Ora Tangata / Safe and Effective Justice, and commenced with a large national conference/hui in August. A key theme of the work programme is addressing and reducing Māori rates of criminal offending and reoffending; and as previously advised the working group has four Māori members: Quentin Hix, Tracey McIntosh, Carwyn Jones, and Julia Amua Whaipooti.  The following two articles highlight new data relevant to this policy initiative.
Justice Sector Reforms Public Consultation Meetings.

Date Time Location Venue
29 October 12:30pm – 3:30 pm Timaru Timaru Council Chambers
30 October 9:00am – 12:00pm Christchurch Aranui Library
5 November 1:00pm – 4:30pm Tauranga TBA
6 November 1:00pm – 4:00pm Whangārei Whangārei Central Library
13 November 1:00pm – 4:00pm Tokoroa Tokoroa Public Library
14 November 9:00am – 1:00pm Te Kuiti Te Kuiti Community Room
15 November TBA New Plymouth TBA
17 November 9:00am – 11:00am Palmerston North Palmerston North City Library

Homicide Victims Data Released

Last month the New Zealand Police published a report entitled Police Statistics on Homicide Victims in New Zealand 2007 – 2016: Summary of Statistics about Victims of Murder, Manslaughter, and Infanticide. The report showed between 2007 and 2016, 223 Māori were victims of homicide, which was 33% of all victims (686 in total).  Māori males comprised 22% (154) of all victims and 69% of the total number of Māori victims.  These statistics are a sad over-representation, given Māori comprise only 15% of the total population.

http://www.police.govt.nz/about-us/publication/homicide-victims-report-2017-and-historic-nz-murder-rate-report-1926-2017


Injury Data Released

Last week Statistics New Zealand released injury data. There are two stand-out areas for Māori: injuries from assaults at 37 per 100,000 people, and injuries from motor vehicle accidents at 67 per 100,000.  Both rates   are significantly higher than for non-Māori.  The overall injury data shows a similar rate of non-fatal but serious injuries (and a lower rate of Māori having falls).[1]

https://www.stats.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/Serious-injury-outcome-indicators/Serious-injury-outcome-indicators-2000-17/Download-data/serious-injury-outcome-indicators-2000-17.xlsx

[1] Falls are associated more frequently with elderly citizens and there are fewer Māori elderly than others, i.e. a life expectancy disparity of 7 years.  This fact sheet does not probe such matters.

Posted by Seattle Ropiha

Salient Māori News Items for the week ending E35, 5 October 2018

 

  • Professor Cindy Kiro (Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Hine) has been appointed Pro Vice-Chancellor, University of Auckland.
  • Ross Wilson (Ngāi Tahu) has been appointed Chair of the WorkSafe New Zealand Board.
  • Karis Knight (Ngāti Porou) has been awarded the New Zealand Psychological Society Karahipi Tumuaki Scholarship. Ms Knight (University of Auckland student) has focused her research on the effect of whakamā (shame or embarrassment) on Māori mental health.
  • Last month the Ministry of Justice published a factsheet on Adult Conviction and Sentencing for the year ending 30 June 2018. In 2017/18 circa 75,500 adults were charged with a crime, and 83% of charges resulted in a conviction. The most salient population disparity is via gender, with 78% of convictions relating to males.  There is also a significant difference between Māori and non-Māori conviction rates, with 41% of all convicted adults being Māori.

https://www.justice.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Publications/adults-convicted-and-sentenced-data-highlights-june-2018.pdf

  • On Monday Mahuru Youth Remand Service was launched in Kaikohe. The service which will be rolled out across the Taitokerau region is a collaboration between Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services and Oranga Tamariki.
  • On Monday the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) was launched. The Government’s aspiration is that the agency will help reduce homelessness and improve housing affordability. The agency brings together housing policy, funding and regulatory functions from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, the Ministry of Social Development and The Treasury.  (Housing is a significant issue for Māori with over a third of Housing NZ tenants identifying as Māori, Māori home ownership being 35% and Māori being over-represented within the grouping of families without suitable housing; refer Pānui E24/2018).
  • Last Friday the Minister for Māori Development, Nanaia Mahuta, advised she has received the report into the investigation into the affairs of the Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board, had considered the findings and recommendations, and written to the Board to implement the recommendations. What she did not do, however, is address the public interest in this matter by releasing the report, nor advising what the findings and recommendations were.   We consider that unacceptably poor judgement from this Minister, as this Board is a statutory entity established by the Parliament of New Zealand, in receipt of public funds, and supposedly monitored by Te Puni Kōkiri (i.e. it is not a private entity).  Minister Mahuta’s approach goes against the messaging of open and transparent government which we note is being espoused by the Prime Minister.    The investigation followed allegations relating to governance and management concerns, and in particular the 2017 triennial elections of the Board.    Fortunately, however, the Trust Board itself has acted with greater awareness of stewardship duties than the Minister, and has publicly released the report.  Accordingly, we will advise on it further in Pānui edition 36/2018.

[Note: we further advise that voting has opened for members of Whakatōhea iwi to choose to continue the current settlement process led by the Whakatōhea Pre-Settlement Claims Trust, or alternatively restart the mandating process. Voting ends 26 October.   Refer Pānui 13/2018 for details.]

  • On Monday the Office of the Children’s Commissioner (OCC) released a report entitled Maiea Te Tūruapō, Fulfilling the Vision. The report is based on the OCC’s independent monitoring of Oranga Tamariki policies, practices and services: in particular the current practice of placing young people in large secure residences. This report is particularly important to Māori, given 63% of the circa 5,000 children and young people in State care situations are Māori (circa 3,100).  We will provide a review of this report Pānui E36/2018.

Registrations are now open for the Federation of Māori Authorities Conference, to be held: Friday 2 – Sunday 4 November, Emerald

Posted by Seattle Ropiha

E33 Salient Māori News Items to 28 September 2018

  • On Monday the Crown Minerals (Petroleum) Amendment Bill was introduced in Parliament. This bill amends the Crown Minerals Act 1991 to give effect to the Government’s announcement made in April that the offshore block offers for oil and gas exploration permits will end, effective immediately. The block offer was an annual tender process established by the former National led Government that allowed for oil and gas companies to bid for permits.
    – The Government will continue to honour the 22 active offshore licences, which have permits to explore approximately 100,000 square kilometres of ocean: the final offshore permit will end in 2030
    – Ending offshore oil exploration is a major policy shift for New Zealand and demonstrates action towards the Government’s commitment for a carbon neutral economy by 2050. This included a target for a long-term transition away from fossil fuels and 100% renewable electricity, by 2035. https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/bills-and-laws/bills-proposed-laws/document/BILL_80358/crown-minerals-petroleum-amendment-bill
  • On Thursday the third reading of the Electoral (Integrity) Amendment Bill was completed with  63 votes in favour of the bill and 57 against. The purpose of this bill is to prevent a person from remaining in Parliament if they leave the party for which they stood. https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/bills-and-laws/bills-proposed-laws/document/BILL_75706/electoral-integrity-amendment-bill
  • Renata Blair (Ngāti Whātua, Tainui) has been selected as a Crown-appointed trustee to the Eden Park Trust Board. The Board is accountable for the financial and strategic management of Eden Park.
  • Sandra Cook (Ngāi Tahu) and Dr Jane Kitson (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Mamoe, Waitaha) have been appointed Guardians of Lakes Manapouri, Monowai and Te Anau. The Guardians’ role is to advise the Minister of Conservation on matters arising from environmental, ecological and social impacts from the power schemes on the three lakes. The Guardians of Lakes Manapouri, Monowai and Te Anau is a statutory body established under the Conservation Act 1987.
  • Robert McGowan, a rongoā Māori expert and promoter of the use of mātauranga Māori in conservation management, has been awarded the Minister of Conservation Loder Cup for outstanding achievements in flora conservation work.
  • Te Ohu Kaimoana group has released its third quarter report for the period 1 April 2018 to 30 June 2018. The report has been published to provide an insight into the work Te Ohu Kaimoana undertakes on behalf of Mandated Iwi Organisations. For the quarter ending 30 June 2018 Te Ohu Kaimoana delivered its services circa $68,000 over budget, however they still expect to distribute a small amount of assets to iwi at end of year.
    https://teohu.maori.nz/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Quarterly-report-June-2018-FINAL-DRAFT-V9.pdf

  • Next Monday voting opens for members of Whakatōhea iwi to choose to continue the current settlement process led by the Whakatōhea Pre-Settlement Claims Trust, or alternatively restart the mandating process. Voting ends 26 October. Refer Pānui 13/2018. electionz.com/whakatohea.
  • This week Māori Television staff were advised of a proposed restructure “strategic refresh” which may lead to 19 job losses.
  • This week the Māori Women’s Welfare League National Conference was held in Gisborne.
  • The World Indigenous Business Forum (WIBF) will be held 9 to 11 October 2018 in Rotorua. See http://wibf.ca/about-us/ for registration and programme details.
Posted by Seattle Ropiha

Salient Māori News Items to 24 August E/28 2018

  • Quentin Hix (Ngāi Tahu), Dr Carwyn Jones (Ngāti Kahungunu), Tracey McIntosh (Ngāi Tūhoe) and Julia Amua Whaipooti (Ngāti Porou) have been appointed to the Te Uepū Hāpai i te Ora Justice Advisory Group. The purpose of Te Uepū Hāpai i te Ora is:

-to engage the public in a conversation about what they want from the criminal justice system; and

– to canvas a range of ideas on how the criminal justice system can be improved.

  • Chief Judge Isaac (Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu), Sir Sidney (Hirini) Moko Mead (Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāi Tūhoe, Tūhourangi), Professor Rawinia Higgins (Ngāi Tūhoe) and Dr Grant Phillipson have been reappointed to the Waitangi Tribunal.
  • On Monday Te Ururoa Flavell commenced his role as chief executive of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.
  • Last Friday the Associate Minister of Education, Kelvin Davis, announced that Te Wharekura o Ngā Purapura o Te Aroha and Palmerston North Manukura will receive significant funding to expand their facilities. Manukura special character school will receive $20 million for a new permanent building: they currently lease a building on the Massey University Campus. Te Wharekura o Ngā Purapura o Te Aroha will receive $10 million towards building expansion.
  • Last Sunday the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations, Andrew Little, announced funding support for Ngāpuhi hapū, to hui to assist progress in Treaty settlement discussions. The funding value is reportedly $290,000. This is a useful indicator in that it shows discussions on resolving the settlement disputes are now progressing out to wider iwi members.
Posted by Seattle Ropiha

E27 Salient Māori News Items to 17 August 2018

  • From today to next Tuesday Koroneihana celebrations will commence at Tūrangawaewae Marae, to celebrate the 160th anniversary of the Kīngitanga movement, and the12th anniversary of the coronation of Kīngi Tūheitia. However, unlike past years, media are banned from the event.  This is said to be in relation to the article above, around allegations concerning Te Ururangi Trust, which could be a media distraction from the positivity of the celebrations.
  • On Monday 80 University of Waikato students and staff protested against a proposed restructure which would remove the Māori and Indigenous Studies faculty status and integrate it as part of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. A final decision regarding the restructure will be published in early September.
  • On Tuesday Wallace Tamamotu Te Ahuru appeared in the Manukau District Court to face two charges of ‘Obtaining by deception’ and seven charges of ‘Using forged documents’. The charges follow an investigation from the Serious Fraud Office. Mr Te Ahuru is alleged to have defrauded the Waitangi National Trust of circa $1.2 million during the time he was employed as the Trust’s Corporate Services Manager (2012 to 2017). Mr Te Ahuru has been remanded on bail and will reappear in the Manukau District Court on 4 September.
  • This week Te Matapihi hosted a Māori housing finance wānanga. The focus of the wānanga is to identify solutions to increase access to finance when building housing on Māori Land.
Posted by Seattle Ropiha

E26 Salient Māori News Items to 10 August 2018

  • Pierre Henare (Ngāti Porou), Lisa Chase and Raewyn Tipene have been appointed to the board of the New Zealand Walking Access Commission.
  • Today Tiniraka Victoria Clark (Tainui) was sworn in as a District Court Judge with a jury warrant.
  • On Thursday 40 unionised Māori Television employees held a strike for a 24-hour period. The employees have been dissatisfied with ongoing negotiations for improved pay and conditions of work.
  • Te Puni Kōkiri has partnered with Skylight Trust to deliver a web series on rangatahi suicide prevention. The series of seven videos are personal stories from rangatahi and their stories of resilience as they work through living with depression, anxiety and suicidal feelings. The videos can be viewed on the Te Puni Kōkiri website. https://www.tpk.govt.nz/en/whakamahia/rangatahi-suicide-prevention
  • This week Tukoroirangi Morgan announced his intention to resign from the Waikato River Authority in November pending a replacement appointee from Waikato-Tainui.
Posted by Seattle Ropiha

Salient Māori News Items for the period ending 27 July 2018

  • Dr Pauline Kingi CMNZ (Ngāti Whāwhākia, Ngāti Mahuta, Ngāti Pikiao, Te Arawa, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Maniapoto) has been appointed the lead for the Government Inquiry into the Appointment Process for A Deputy Commissioner of Police.
  • Steven Tipene Wilson (Ngāti Koroki Kahukura, Ngāti Apakura, Ngāti Tura, Ngāti Te Ngākau) has been appointed deputy chair of the Environmental Protection Agency and Dayle Hunia (Ngāti Awa) has been appointed a Director.
  • Pauline Winter QSO (Te Atiawa Taranaki) and Sir John Clarke CNZM (Ngāti Porou, Ngāpuhi) have been appointed to the recruitment panel for the roles Chief Human Rights Commissioner, Race Relations Commissioner and Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner. Ms Winter will chair the three-person panel.
  • Rukumoana Schaafhausen (Ngāti Haua) has been appointed a Director of the Crown research entity AgResearch.
  • The Minister for Seniors, Tracey Martin, has released a discussion document and opened consultations for a new positive ageing strategy. The document notes the projected growth of Māori aged 65+ years from 43,000 in 2016 to 118,000 by 2036. Submissions and public consultations close 24 August 2018, and a draft strategy and action plan will be released in early 2019.

http://www.superseniors.msd.govt.nz/documents/ageing-population-consultation/ageing-population-discussion-document-web.pdf

  • Applications are now open for the Children and Families Research Fund. The purpose of this fund is to support social policy research evolving from the Growing Up in New Zealand longitudinal study. The Ministry of Social Development manage the fund and will award up to $750,000 in total.  Applications close 31 August.

http://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/work-programmes/research/children-families-research/children-and-families-research-fund-20182019-funding-round.html

  • Last week the Director General of Health published the Health and Independence 2017 report. This report presents an overview of the health of New Zealanders drawing on a range of sources. In short Māori health continues to be poorer than non – Māori with life expectancy for Māori males born from 2012–2014 being 7.3 years below that of non-Māori males born over the same period. For Māori females in this age group, life expectancy is 6.8 years shorter than non – Māori females.

https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/publications/health-and-independence-report_2017_0.pdf

  • In late June the Minister of Education, Chris Hipkins, announced that tertiary level 1 and 2 Te Reo Māori programmes will receive a funding increase of $1,000 per full time equivalent place (EFTS). This means funding will increase from $6,500 to $7,500 per EFTS. Funding changes will take effect in 2019. Quite why Te Reo Māori is funded at $500 less than English as a Second Language was not announced, and is a matter we intend to investigate further in our reviews of tertiary education policy and Government Te Reo Māori strategies.
  • Earlier this month Margaret Dixon was sentenced in the Auckland District Court to 12 months’ home detention and ordered to pay $5,000 in reparation for defrauding the Parengarenga 3G Trust of $935,000. In May Ms Dixon pleaded guilty to three charges of ‘theft by person in special relationship’ under the Crimes Act.
  • Last week Hemo Kerewai Thompson, former finance manager of Raukura Waikato Social Services Trust (RWSS), was sentenced to two years and five months’ imprisonment for 166 charges of ‘theft in a special relationship’. Ms Thompson defrauded RWSS of circa $175,000. The offending took place over a four year period from November 2010 to February 2015. RWSS is currently in liquidation.
  • An inquiry into the appointment of Deputy Commissioner of Police Wallace Haumaha will commence on August 6. The inquiry follows criticism of Mr Haumaha’s appointment from Louise Nicholas, who is an advocate for the rights of women who have been victims of sexual violence. Ms Nicholas believes the appointment was inappropriate as Mr Haumaha had publicly shown support for two former policemen who were accused and convicted of rape in the 1980s. The scope of the inquiry will consider if the process that led to Mr Haumaha’s appointment was adequate.  The inquiry will not consider whether Mr Haumaha is a suitable candidate for the role

http://www.dia.govt.nz/Government-Inquiry-Into-the-Appointment-Process-for-a-Deputy-Commissioner-of-Police.

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Appointments and Awards and salient Māori News Items for the Week to 29 June 2018

  • Farah Palmer (Ngāti Mahuta) has been appointed to the Board of Sport New Zealand.
  • Professor Rawinia Higgins (Ngāi Tūhoe) has been appointed Chair of Te Taura Whiri i Te Reo Māori / the Māori Language Commission.
  • Oliver Tapiki-Thorpe (Whakatōhea) has received the New Zealand Youth Award for Inclusion and Diversity.
  • On Wednesday Daniel Michael Bidois (Ngāti Maniapoto) swore his Oath of Allegiance in Parliament. Mr Bidois became the newest National Party Member of Parliament after winning the Northcote By-Election on 9 June.
  • Māori food company Kaitahi was awarded the “Most Innovative Foodservice Product” at the Fine Food New Zealand Innovation Awards.  Kaitahi has developed frozen food products using traditional Māori ingredients.
  • Te Arawa Group Holdings, Rotomā No 1 Incorporation, and Ngāti Awa Group Holdings have formed a business entity partnership called Matai Pacific Iwi Collective. The partnership has purchased three large kiwifruit orchards in the Te Puke region, the orchards are planted in Green and Gold varieties of Kiwifruit.
  • A grouping of 13 Māori businesses (the Hui Māori Collective), will be launching an e-commence portal on Tmall Global in November. (Tmall, a mandarin language site, is part of the Alibaba group and a major international trading site.)   The collective is also working with AsureQuality to develop a quality assurance framework for branding and product authenticity purposes.  Members of the Hui Māori Collective are: Miraka, Kai Ora Honey, Mana Kai Honey, Tai Tokerau Honey, The True Honey Company, Tuku Māori Winemakers Collective (Steve Bird Wines, Te Pā wines, Tiki Wines, Ostler Wines and Kurukuru Wines), Taha Beverages, Kono, and The Modern Māori Quartet.
  • The High Court has ruled in favour of a rent increase for the Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland; meaning the leasee, Te Arawa Group holdings, will need to pay the owner, Ngāti Tahi Ngāti Whaoa Rūnanga Trust, increases backdated for three years, and court costs. This ends a three-year rental dispute between the two parties.
  • Te Taura Whiri i Te Reo Māori and Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga have signed a ‘Mahi Tahi’ agreement to promote and revitalise Te Reo Māori.
  • On Saturday a launch will be held for He Kupu Tuku Iho, a new Te Reo book authored by Sir Tīmoti Kāretu and Wharehuia Milroy. The book is said to be written for the ‘serious’ Te Reo student.  Auckland University Press are the publishers
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Salient Māori News Items for the Week to 22 June E21/2018

  • Tini Clark (Ngāti Tīpa, Ngāti Tahinga, Ngāti Āmaru) has been appointed a District Court Judge with a jury warrant to be based in Manukau. Ms Clark will be sworn in as a Judge on 10 August 2018.
  • Last Friday the Minister of Māori Development, Nanaia Mahuta, announced that an investigation into the affairs of the Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board is to be undertaken. The investigation follows reported allegations relating to governance and management concerns, and in particular the 2017 triennial elections of the Board.  Michael Heron QC has been appointed as the investigator, and will report back to the Minister in August.   The Trust Board comprises twelve trustees elected from the six hapū of Whakatōhea, and there are circa 11,000 iwi members.
  • Today the Minister of Employment, Willie Jackson, announced four initiatives that will receive funding through He Poutama Rangatahi. All four initiatives are based in the Hawke’s Bay region.

The successful initiatives are:

The Hastings District Council – Connector Model programme (improving long term employment opportunities through supporting employers, rangatahi and their whānau) funding $460,000;

Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga – Takatū Youth Mentoring (drivers licencing programme) funding $258,000;

Hikoi4Life Trust  – WorkFit programme  (increase existing support to get young people physically and mentally fit for work)  funding $765,000; and

Hikoi4Life Trust – Development Hub (work readiness programme to support  young Māori and Pasifika women into employment) funding $194,000.

https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/17-million-investment-hawkes-bay-rangatahi

  • Law Firm Kahui legal have made a commitment across the organisation to increase staff use of Te Reo Māori as part of their Reo Plan. The plan supports staff to take lessons outside of work. Reo Plan is an initiative developed by Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori/ Māori Language Commission to encourage workplaces to increase use of Te Reo Māori.
  • On Tuesday the Minister of Education, Chris Hipkins, announced his interim decision to cancel the Hato Petera College integration agreement (there are few students enrolled so the school is not considered sustainable). This means, unless there is convincing evidence otherwise, shortly the Minister will confirm his decision, which will effectively close the school.
  • Earlier this month Sir Robert Jones filed defamation papers against Renae Maihi. Sir Robert Jones claims the language used in that petition was defamatory. In March Ms Maihi presented the petition to Labour MP Kiritapu Allan at Parliament, which asks the Prime Minister to strip Sir Robert Jones of his Knighthood, on the basis of alleged inflammatory comments made about Māori. The petition had 66,000 people in support.  A GiveALittle page has been established to support Ms Maihi’s defence.

https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/legal-fund-for-renae-maihi

  • On Thursday funding applications opened for Suffrage 125 fund. The contestable fund is worth $300,000 and its purpose is to support events and activities to celebrate 125 years of voting for women. Activities recognising Māori women, and women of diverse cultures, will be a focus.

http://women.govt.nz/suffrage125fund

  • The Horizons Regional Council (Manawatū-Wanganui region) has voted to change the spelling of Wanganui to Whanganui in their name, and they will add a macron over the u in Manawatū. The Council have applied to the Geographic Board for the change.
  • Matariki celebrations are now well underway in various locations around Aotearoa, with the Wellington Mayor, Justin Lester, suggesting a public holiday may be required. Matariki is the rising of a cluster of eight bright stars in midwinter (from May this year); and celebrations are often timed with the appearance of the first new moon (mid-June this year).
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Edition 20, Salient Māori News Items for the Week to 15 June 2018

  • Ezekiel Raui (Te Rarawa) will receive the Queen’s Young Leaders Award on Tuesday 26 June at Buckingham Palace, London. The award recognises Mr Raui’s leadership and programme development in the field of youth mental health and suicide prevention.
  • Kimberly Maxwell (Whakatōhea, Te Whanau-ā-Apanui, Ngāti Porou, Ngāitai, Ngāti Tūwharetoa) has been awarded a Ministry for Primary Industries Postgraduate Science Scholarship. Ms Maxwell is completing a PhD in Marine Biology at Victoria University of Wellington. The scholarship value is up to $50,000.
  • Rachel Jones (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Rakaipaaka) and Melissa Derby (Ngāti Ranginui) have been awarded a Fulbright Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga Graduate scholarship. This scholarship will support the recipients to undertake one year of postgraduate study/ research in indigenous development at a United States university.
  • This week the Minister of Forestry, Shane Jones, and his Associate Minister, Meka Whaitiri, launched a new scholarship programme to support Māori and/or female students seeking to enroll in the Bachelor of Forestry Science, or Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Forest Engineering, at the University of Canterbury. The scholarships provides $8,000 a year for 4 years, and a paid internship within the forestry sector. Four scholarships will be awarded for the 2019 academic year.

http://www.mpi.govt.nz/about-us/our-work/scholarships-and-awards/nga-karapihi-uru-rakau-forestry-scholarships/

  • Ministers Eugenie Sage and David Clark have granted a water bottling application made under the Overseas Investment Act; which will allow a foreign company to purchase land to expand an existing bottling plant at Otakiri Springs, near Whakatane. The decision is controversial given the Green Party campaigned against such uses of New Zealand water, and because there were some iwi views of concern expressed in the consenting process – but also some iwi views in support.   No associated iwi, however, elected to submit earlier on the consenting applications, although these were notified.

https://www.whakatane.govt.nz/sites/www.whakatane.govt.nz/files/documents/decision_creswell_-_lv-2017-2077-01_11_june.pdf

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Salient Māori News Items for the Week to 8 June Edition 19/2018

  • Hemo Kerewai Thompson pleaded guilty to an additional 99 fraud charges last week. Ms Thompson is the former finance manager of Raukura Waikato Social Services Trust (RSST). In March she pleaded guilty to 67 charges of ‘Theft in a Special Relationship’ and one charge of ‘Obtaining by Deception’.  From November 2010 to February 2015 Ms Thompson obtained circa $175,000 from RSST disguising the activity as expenditure. The Trust was placed into liquidation in 2016. Ms Thompson has been granted bail and is scheduled for sentencing at the Hamilton District Court on 19 July 2018.
  • Last week the Minister for Māori Development Nanaia Mahuta announced two new housing collaborations in the Northland region Ōtangarei Papakāinga and He Korowai Trust rent-to-own home ownership model. Ōtangarei Papakāinga Limited will build four community-based transitional homes, a home for a support worker, and central whare in the Whangārei suburb of Ōtangarei. The development aims to support and transition 16 families per year into long-term housing.  He Korowai Trust will receive $900,000 towards an affordable rent-to-own home ownership project. The rent-to-own project will assist eight low income families into home ownership.
  • Ngāi Te Rangi iwi members are continuing protests over the possible signing of a Deed of Settlement between the Crown and the Hauraki iwi collective settlement. The protest group is of the view that the Hauraki iwi collective has no Treaty rights within the Tauranga area, and should not gain a seat of representation on the Tauranga Moana Governance Group.  (The incoming governance group has four seats for Tauranga Moana iwi, one seat for the iwi of Hauraki, and five seats for local government representatives.) The responsible Minister, Andrew Little, has delayed signing the Deed over the last few weeks, to allow iwi-to-iwi discussions to be held.

Appointments and Awards

  • The following New Zealand Honours and Queen’s Service awards were conferred to Māori, or people giving services to Māori, on 04 June 2018.

KNZM

To be a Knights Companion of the said Order:

Mr Hekenukumai Busby, ONZM, MBE, of Kaitaia. For services to Māori.

Mr John Edward Rowles, OBE, of Auckland. For services to entertainment.

ONZM

To be Officers of the said Order:

Mr Philip Alexander Te-Aorangi Bell, of Auckland. For services to music.

Mrs Christine Barney Arihia Brears, of Taumarunui. For services to Māori and health.

Ms Timua Te Puhi Kai Ariki Brennan, of Rotorua. For services to music and Māori performing arts.

Mr Matutaera Te Nana Clendon, of Auckland. For services to Māori.

Ms Briar Grace-Smith, of Paraparaumu. For services to theatre, film and television.

Mrs Carol Ann Ngawati, of Tauranga. For services to sport, education and Māori.

Mr Desma Kemp Ratima, JP, of Hastings. For services to Māori.

Archdeacon Tikituterangi Raumati, of Urenui. For services to Māori and the community.

MNZM

To be Members of the said Order:

Ms Ainsley Amohaere Gardiner, of Whakatane. For services to film and television.

Dr Sharon Ellen Barcello Gemmell, JP, of Blenheim. For services to Māori and education.

Ms Gabrielle Ann Huria, of Christchurch. For services to Māori and governance.

Mrs Laura Tui Mariu, of Auckland. For services to rugby league.

Ms Rebecca Elizabeth Mellish, of Featherston. For services to Māori and governance.

Ms Christine Rewa Panapa, of Tuakau. For services to sport and Māori.

Mr Millan Tame Ruka, of Whangarei. For services to conservation.

QSO
To be Companions of the said Order:

Mr Leith Pirika Comer, of Rotorua. For services to Māori, the State and local government.

QSM

Mr Stewart Bull, of Invercargill. For services to conservation and Māori.

Mr Raymond Kopuraehana Coffin, of Te Kuiti. For services to the Māori Wardens Association.

Mrs Irene Eva Hiriwa Curnow, of Tauranga. For services to Māori and education.

Mr Hatete Joe Manukau, JP, of Katikati. For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community.

Mr Richard Henry Shepherd, JP, of Whangarei. For services to Māori and the community.

 Te Pūnaha Hihiko, Vision Mātauranga Round 6 Funding (announced 7 June 2018)

Organisation Project Partners Funding
AgResearch Limited Growth of a banana industry – rapid expansion of commercial Banana growing in Tārawhiti Tai Pukenga Limited $93,455
Whakamana mā pahekotanga: Empowerment through collaboration Tawapata South Incorporation (trading as Onenui Station), Paroa Trust $100,000
Transition mapping of Ngāti Porou food and fibre products to novel value chains Pakihiroa Farms Ltd $75,000
Te Oranganui o Ngāti Pāhauwera – lifting the well-being of Ngāti Pāhauwera through collective land and people development Ngāti Pāhauwera Development Trust Ltd $100,000
The BHU Future Farming Centre Maara Kai and food science capacity expansion with Koukourārata, Ōnuku, Rāpaki, & Wairewa Rūnanga and Ngāi Tahu Te Runanga o Koukourarata, Te Runanga o Onuku, Te Runanga o Rapaki, Te Runanga o Wairewa, Lincoln University, Plant & Food Research $180,000
Bryce-Hare Whānau Trust KINAKI – Tūhoe Medicinal Food Blends AgResearch $100,000
CRL Energy Limited Resin impregnated training and research materials for pounamu industry Ngati Waewae $100,000
Hokotehi Moriori Trust Towards Co-development – What does a sustainable Chatham Islands look like? Te Ara Pūtaiao (Māori collective for the Crown Research Institutes) $100,000
Institute of Environmental Science and Research Limited Mahika kai he pou hereka tākata, haere ake nei, haere ake nei: The validation of a food safety framework for mahinga kai Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu $180,000
E Rere te Wai e, Pupū Ake te Matauranga e: A Convergence of Maori and Western Water Knowledge Systems Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu $100,000
Te Wai Tuku Kiri, Te Wai Tuku Hā Te Pā o Rākaihautū $100,000
‘Tēnei te Tauira ka Whakapiki, Tēnei a Pūhoro Ka Whakakake ki Te Ao Mārama’ Pūhoro STEM Academy $100,000
He Ao Hou, He Ātea Hou –  Engaging and Preserving our Histories into the Future Ngāti Rangithi $75,000
GNS Science Kaitiakitanga of geothermal ecosystems through joint scientific and Mātauranga-a-iwi approaches Ngati Tahu-Ngati Whaoa Runanga Trust $85,700
Kaupapa Taiao Trust Kaupapa Taiao Tai Poutini- Establishing new Matauranga/Science Research Te Papa $180,000
Mahaanui Kurataiao Limited He whakatō i ngā kākano o te kaitiakitanga Te Pā o Rākaihautū $100,000
Massey University Whenua Tipu – Transformation of Māori Agribusiness and the Fourth Industrial Revolution Opepe Farm Trust $100,000
A mātauranga Māori code of practice for flood management Te Atiawa ki Whakarongotai Charitable Trust $100,000
National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd Ngā tākapu ruku moana o Ngāti Awa Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa $180,000
Ngā Taonga Waimātaitai o Murihiku – Co-developing Culturally Appropriate Approaches to Improve Estuarine Mahinga Kai Management Te Rūnaka o Ōraka-Aparima $100,000
Nga Uri O Te Ngahere Trust The Torere Integrated Land Management programme AgResearch, Plant & Food Research, Torere Section 64 Inc, Ngaitai Iwi Authority, Torere Section 14, Torere Section 56, Karearea Farm $100,000
Onuku Runanga Incorporated Science connections between Ngāi Tarewa (Akaroa) and Opus Consultancy for regional prosperity (Amiria Wharf) Opus Consulting Ltd $100,000
Rakiura Titi Islands Administering Body / Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu He tītī huatahi: Utilising tītī by-products and adding value to mahinga kai Callaghan Innovation $100,000
Scion Te Arawa Climate Change Strategy: Te Urunga o Kea Te Arawa Lakes Trust $98,000
Takiwa Limited Ahuwhenua Tairawhiti – GIS Connections for Māori Land-Innovation Kahuitara A2E2B3 Inc, Puhunga Trust A12A Trust, PuhungaA9C Trust, Waitakaro Trust, PuhungaA9B3B2B Trust, Waipaoa 1A2, Ngamoe A8C, Kokai A3D2, Waitangi Y2B1; Kaimoho A1 Land Incorporation $100,000
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Te Rangi Iwi Trust He taonga te manu, he tohu te manu: Reconnecting Nga i Te Rangi as mana whenua of Motuotau to advance kaitiakitanga Massey University $100,000
Te Tihi o Ruahine Whanau Ora Alliance Charitable Trust A Participatory Design Approach to Developing Gamified Tools to Support Whānau Ora using Te Ara Whānau Ora as the pathway – Extending the reach and effectiveness of a proven whanau-centred wellbeing approach Massey University $100,000
The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited Advancing culture and husbandry technology for yellowbelly flounder through mātauranga Māori Ngāi Tai Ki Tāmaki $180,000
Ngāti Porou Miere – Delivering Science in the East Cape Ngāti Porou Miere $180,000
Māori Tourism Hononga New Zealand Maori Tourism-He Toa Takitini $100,000
University of Auckland  He waka hourua ki te ao kei mua – Mātauranga and Science engagement framework Mahaanui Kurataiao Limited $100,000
Wakatu Incorporation Reconnecting Whānau to Whenua: Designing the appropriate protection and utilisation of Indigenous Organisms in Te Tau Ihu Aroha Mead $100,000
Scientific Validation of Traditional Rongoā Knowledge in Te Tau Ihu Edible Research Ltd $100,000
Whai Maia Charitable Trust 1 Ngāti Whātua Orākei Kahui Rangahau : Connecting Maori with Science Providers Te Pūnaha Matatini (University of Auckland Centre of Research Excellence), Monash University $100,000

 

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