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Parliamentary matters and Māori news stories for the week ending 21 September 2012

  • On Wednesday the Local Government and Environment Select Committee tabled their report on the Mount Maunganui Borough Reclamation and Empowering Act Repeal Bill.  The Committee have recommended that the Bill is passed with minor amendments.  (This is supported by Tauranga Moana iwi, refer to E20/2012 for details.)
  • On Thursday the Commerce Select Committee heard oral submissions for the Gambling (Gambling Harm Reduction) Amendment Bill.  The purpose of this Bill is to increase community say over gaming machines within local authority areas, and includes a proposed power for communities to reduce the number of gaming machines.  The Committee will report back to Parliament by 9 November 2012.  (For details on this matter refer to Pānui E12/2012.)
  • On Thursday the Social Security (Benefit Categories and Work Focus) Amendment Bill was read for a first time and referred to the Social Services Committee. The Bill passed by 69 votes to 50 with National, New Zealand First, Act and United Future voting in favour; whilst the Labour, Green, Māori and Mana parties voted against it.  (Refer to Pānui E32/2012 for details on this matter.)

Māori news stories for the week ending 21 September 2012

  • John Bishara has been appointed Chairman of the Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board.
  • Des Ratima has been elected Deputy Chairman of the New Zealand Māori Council.
  • On Tuesday the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions (CTU) held a hui with Iwi leaders.  The focus of the hui was to discuss the potential of building a stronger relationship between iwi and the Council in order to improve the working lives of Māori workers.  This follows mediation from some iwi leaders in relation to Affco strikes and lockouts (refer to Pānui E15/2012 for reference notes).
  • On Tuesday Te Whānau o Waipareira Trust completed presenting their case against the Ministry of Social Development in the Auckland High Court.  Te Whānau o Waipareira Trust are challenging the Ministry’s decision to end a Family Start contract, valued at circa $1.4 million.  The parties are now awaiting the judges’ decision.
  • The Tainui Group Holdings Te Awa Retail Centre (‘the Base’) has won a silver award at the International Council of Shopping centres Asia Pacific Awards, in Shanghai.
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Māori news stories for the week ending 17 August 2012

  • Dr Mere Berryman, Lorraine Kerr, Professor Angus Macfarlane, Professor Wally Penetito, and Professor Graham Hingangaroa Smith have been appointed as an advisory group to the Auditor General, for the purpose of the auditor’s investigation into Māori education.
  • Lorraine Kerr has been elected president of the New Zealand School Trustees Association.
  • Dale Karauria has been appointed to the Board of the Careers Service (known as Careers New Zealand).
  • The National Māori Wardens Association has had their annual funding (circa $200,000) suspended until financial accountability issues are resolved with its funder, Te Puni Kōkiri.
  • Last week Arbitrator, Robert Fisher QC, ruled that it was fair for Ngāti Whātua o Orakei Māori Trust Board to increase the rent for their residential properties located in central Auckland, up to commercial levels.  (This follows arbitration proceedings which commenced in February.)  Separately, the Trust Board announced this week that they will open a new health centre in October.
  • The Ministry for Primary Industries has agreed Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura application to extend a rāhui on Wakatu Quay off the coast of Kaikōura.  Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura hope the extended rāhui will replenish fish stocks in the area.
  • Sir Ngatata Love has (temporarily) stepped down as Chairman of the Wellington Tenths Trust, pending an internal Trust review of financial matters.  This follows a High Court conviction against two property developers, David Rowley and Barrie Skinner, for tax fraud.  Court papers related to this case are said to show that a company jointly owned by Ms Skiffington (partner to Sir Ngatata Love), was paid $1.4m by property developers, who sought business with the Tenths Trust, and most of this amount was eventually placed into a bank account held jointly by Ms Skiffington and Sir Ngatata Love.   It is important to note that Sir Ngatata Love has indicated he is not aware of any fraudulent activities.
  • Last Friday the Ministry of Health released a consultation document on preventing and minimising gambling harm.  Consultation meetings are being held from 20 to 25 August, and written submissions close on Friday 7 September.
  • This week one media outlet is running a series of articles on Whānau Ora, providing examples of its use.  In its title, the media outlet indicates that the policy ‘is being criticised as a waste of money and an opportunity for some to rort the system’, although clear references to people or organisations supporting that statement are not provided.  The media agency notes the fraud convictions and cases pending against people associated with the ‘We Against Violence Trust’. (The Trust was a recipient organisation of Whānau Ora funding, refer Pānui 26/2012 for details).
  • The Ministry for Primary Industries has announced the approval of five new mataitai reserves; three are on the Mahia Peninsula, one is north-east of Waimate, and one is Okarito Lagoon. 
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