- Sir Wira Gardiner has been appointed to the Wellington Regional Governance Review Panel. The Panel will assess governance options for councils across the greater Wellington region and will provide their recommendations in October.
- Last Saturday Nelson and Wairoa voters rejected a proposal to establish a Māori ward on their respective Councils.
- This week former senior students of the Morewa School senior satellite unit recommenced schooling at nearby Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Taumarere. The students will also be dual enrolled with the Correspondence School for subjects not offered at the Kura (English and Maths). In addition, financial assist will be providing to ensure teaching support and for general transitional costs (school uniforms, etc).
- On Monday AFFCO and the Meat-workers union resolved their twelve-week industrial dispute. Amongst other items, AFFCO will provide a $400,000 fund for workers affected by the lockout, a 3.2% wage increase, and the inclusion of seniority clauses in member’s contracts. The Meat-workers Union have agreed to AFFCO drug testing their members. The agreement was reached after mediation facilitated by the Iwi Leaders Group (ILG). The ILG agreed to become involved noting that the situation was creating significant hardship for many Māori whānau. We note the Talley’s family (owners of AFFCO) share fishing industry interests with iwi/Māori fishing companies; and would not desire to place that business at risk, particularly given upcoming reform in that sector (as discussed above).
- On Thursday Tame Iti and Te Rangikaiwhiria Kemara (two members of the ‘Urewera Four’) were sentenced to thirty months imprisonment for a range of firearms charges. The two other members of the ‘Urewera Four’ Urs Signer and Emily Bailey still await formal sentencing.
- On Wednesday Labour Party MP Shane Jones agreed to stand down from Labour’s front bench and his portfolio responsibilities. This was because Labour Party leader, David Shearer, asked the Auditor-General to investigate Mr Jones’ ministerial conduct in relation to the approval of an immigration visa in 2008. (The Visa was approved by Mr Jones against the advice of officials, and the person concerned, Mr Yan Yong Ming was this week on trial for immigration fraud. However yesterday Mr Ming was found not guilty on all charges.) The Auditor-General has not yet determined whether or not to investigate the matter – although both Mr Jones and Mr Shearer are of the view that an investigation is required to restore Mr Jones’ reputation.
- Last Friday afternoon the Minister of Primary Industries, David Carter, and Minister for the Environment, Amy Adams, released the second Land and Water Forum report, Setting Limits for Water Quality and Quantity: Freshwater Policy- and Plan-Making Through Collaboration. The report provides thirty-eight recommendations on the framework for freshwater management in New Zealand. It includes a significant reference to iwi interests, and a Māori model of water management. We will be considering this report in full next week, and if appropriate, will provide further briefing information.
- On Tuesday the jury found the ‘Urewera Four’ guilty of a range of firearms charges, but they failed to reach a verdict as to whether the defendants were members of an organised criminal group. The four defendants have been released on bail and await sentencing on May 24. The Crown must now determine whether a retrial on the main charge should be sought.
- Ngāti Kahungunu iwi have asked Māori farmers to stop sending stock to the AFFCO meat processing plant in Wairoa, in support of the Meat workers Union members (who are in employment ‘lock out’). The iwi is also arranging food parcels for affected whānau.
- On Monday Children’s Commissioner Dr Russell Wills announced the formation of a child poverty advisory group. The group is expected to make recommendations on how to improve opportunities and outcomes for disadvantaged children. Recommendations from the group will be provided to the newly established Ministerial Committee on Poverty. Members of the advisory group are Professor Jonathan Boston (Co-chair), Dr Tracey McIntosh (Co-chair), Dr Airini, Dr Fiona Cram, Professor Mark Henaghan, Professor Philippa Howden-Chapman, Phil O’Reilly, Professor Richie Poulton, James Prescott, Major Campbell Roberts, Bob Stephens, Dr Nikki Turner, and Sharon Wilson Davis.
- Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi has developed ‘Te Hāpai Ō’, a two-year mentoring programme for provisionally registered teachers working in Māori medium settings.
- The Waitangi Tribunal hearing pertaining to the Kōhanga Reo claim (WAI 2336) concludes today.
