Waatea News Update

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Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Thursday, June 29, 2006

Final rites for Guide Bubbles

One of the major figures of the Rotorua tourism industry and a leading huia of Te Arawa, guide Dorothy Huhana "Bubbles" Mihinui, will be buried at her home marae in Whakarewarewa today.

Hundreds of people, including Prime Minister Helen Clark, have come to the Te Paakira Marae in Whakarewarewa this week to pay their respects.

Waiariki MP Te Ururoa Flavell says Mrs Mihinui, affectionately known as Nanny Bubbles, gave 70 years service to Maori tourism and the Rotorua community.

Mr Flavell says Mrs Mihinui was a cultural icon.

“She has contributed a fair bit to the presentation of Aotearoa nationally as well as internationally, so she will be sorely missed, and her vast experience and knowledge will also be missed by those of us in Te Arawa around tikanga issues as well,” Flavell said.

LASHLIE SAYS PRISON DEPT WILL ABUSE BABY BILL

The former head of Christchurch Woemn's Prison says a proposed new law allowing women prisoners to keep their babies until they are two years old is likely to have little effect.

Celia Lashlie says it is a good idea to allow mothers to keep their babies up until that age, and it has worked well in the states of Australia where it is allowed.

But she says if Green MP Sue Bradford's bill is passed, the Corrections Department will interpret it so few women can keep their children with them.

“They'll say you can only have the baby if you are minimum security, if you behave yourself, if you pull your head in, if you fit this criteria, da da da, so in the end I expect the number of women who get to keep their babies will be minimal, because you will have to be first time offender, small sentence, minimum security, behaves herself,” Lashlie said.

Celia Lashlie says the Corrections Department treats women prisoners like male prisoners, and won't identify the key whanau members who may help with rehabilitation.

JUNIOR SOFTBALLERS GET CRACK AT CANUCKS

It will be the first taste of life as international sportswomen for many of the Junior White Sox, who leave for North America tonight.

The national junior women's softball squad are in a tournament that would normally feature the senior women's team.

Second base player Courtney O Donnell, from Taranaki, says because the senior women's team is getting ready to play in the world championship in Beijing in August, the junior team is going in its place.

She says the junior squad is made up of predominantly Maori players, and for most it's their first international competition.

NO AGREEMENT ON CRAYFISH STOCK CRASH

Maori and commercial fishers are in dispute over what is causing a dramatic decline in crayfish stocks on the East Coast.

Gisbone crayfishers spokesman Gordon Halley says natural processes are behind the decline since 2000, and he saw similar declines in the late 1970s and late 1980s - followed by abundant stocks.

But Gordon Asten, who hands out customary permits for Gisborne hapu Ngati Oneone, says constant commercial pressure means there is no chance for stocks to recover.

Gordon Asten says an iwi-commercial forum is trying to find common ground on the issue.

STUDENTS WANT MORE FEE SUPPORT

The president of Te Mana Akonga, the Maori tertiary students association, say an injection of funds into the university sector is welcomed, but fees remain the main area of concern for Maori students.

Yesterday the government announced it will direct 26 million dollars towards 8 universities, to be used in stafff development.

Veronica Tawhai says with increased demand on institutions to improve quality and relevance, it's likely the money will be spent on upskilling staff.

She says of more pressing need to maori students, is the security of knowing they won't be facing fee hikes.

MAHUTA OFF TO WOMEN’S CONFERENCE

Tainui MP Nanaia Mahuta says she is proud to be able to brign a Maori perspective to an East Asian ministerial meeting on gender equality in Tokyo this week.

The meeting is looking at ways to implement the platform of action that came out of the United Nations women's conference in Beijing.

Ms Mahuta says she will be able to share New Zealand initiatives like the extension of paid parental leave and moves to increase the accessibility and affordability of childcare.

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