Māori news stories for the week ending 23 March 2012: Omnibus excerpt
- 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.