Waatea News Update

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Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Ngai Tai blocked from gallery hearing

Members of Ngai Tai still hope to be heard today on their objections to planned extensions to the Auckland City Art Gallery.

Ngai Tai ki Tamaki claims committee secretary Emily Karaka says the council is refusing to let in evidence that the extensions into Albert Park would encroach into the site of a pre-European village.

She said the site is sacred to Ngai Tai, Waiohua, Kawerau a Maki and Waikato Tainui.

Ms Karaka says the independent commissioners have refused to allow her to make oral submissions at this morning's hearing, and the council has blocked tangata whenua at every stage.

“The policies are obstructive, they deny our rights under the Treaty of Waitangi, as kaitiaki, they deny our rights in terms of Local Government Act, they deny our rights as kaitiaki under section 7 and 8 of the Resource Management Act, , they deny our rights under section 4 of the Conservation Act,” Karaka said.

MAORI MEN FIGHTING LOW SELF ESTEEM

A major push is underway in the Western Bay of Plenty, to get Maori men checked for cardiovascular disease.

Ngaiterangi Iwi manager Paul Stanley says it is difficult to get Maori men to visit their doctors.

Mr Stanley says there are plenty of excuses given, from not wanting to take time off work to concerns about cost.

He says there could be a more disturbing reason why Maori men won't make their own health a priority.

“Maori men believe they have little value, so it doesn’t matter in their minds if they die, the world will carry on. You can tell a bloke all you like he shouldn’t eat fatty foods, but if he believes inside it doesn’t matter because his life doesn’t have value, he will continue to do it and incrementally commit suicide, for want of a better term,” Stanley said.

GUTTENBEIL DEFENDS COACHES WITH PARTING SHOT

Senior rugby league player Awen Guttenbeil says fears that overseas coaches would find it hard to motivate the Warriors' Maori and Polynesian players haven't eventuated.

Guttenbiel, who has both Maori and Tongan whakapapa, is leaving the Warriors to finish his out career with English club Castleford Tigers.

The Kiwi international played 11 seasons with the Auckland-based NRL franchise and took direction from six coaches, including three from overseas.

He says the Warriors sometimes erratic on-field performances were caused by inexperience rather than ethnicity.

“It wasn't about the Polynesians, it was about our players not being in a system before the club came about,. They were semi-pro players at best playing in New Zealand. It was about getting accustomed to the rigors of becoming a professional footballer,” Guttenbeil said.

A testimonial lunch for Guttenbeil is being held in Auckland today.

DAUGHTERS TARGETED FOR MEN’S HEARTS

stanley daughters

A Bay of Plenty health advocate, says if Maori men won't get medical checkups, target their daughters.

Paul Stanley, the Maori manager of Tauranga iwi Ngati Ranginui, says getting Maori men to the doctor is always difficult.

The iwi is working with multiple health agencies in a push to get Maori men checked for heart disease.

Mr Stanley says if the direct approach fails, the campaign will direct messages and promotional material to someone Maori men listen to.

“This is fairly consistent amongst Maori men, that the person they listen to most will be their eldest daughter. She can translate it into dad’s language. In terms of the One Heart Many Lives model, it fits well, your heart dad affects our lives,” Stanley said.

SAMUELS SAYS FRONT UP ON ABUSE

Labour list MP Dover Samuels says Maori must take responsibility for tackling child abuse.

Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia says the problems of high Maori incidence in serious abuse statistics are systemic, and the government should address underlying causes like poverty.

But Mr Samuels says it comes down to the whanau, the hapuu and the individuals involved.

He says someone must take responsibility, rather than blaming the system.

SKILLS ON SHOW AT SCHOOL KAPA HAKA COMPS

A man who has been involved in many broadcasts of kapa haka competitions, says there is a marked improvement in standards at the national secondary school competitions this week at Mystery Creek near Hamilton.

Maihi Nikora says teams have worked hard on their haka, poi and waiata a ringa.

He says they are now putting extra effort into other disciplines such as the choral singing section.

Mr Nikora says he was particularly impressed with the mau rakau or weaponry skills displayed by Turangi group Tohi ki te Rangi.

“Wahine toa tu rangataira. It was amazing the dexterity I saw with weaponry. It took me back 15-20 years to Irirangi Tiakiawa and some of the other tohunga renowned for mau raku who had trained women, it rekindled and old memory for me,” Nikora said.

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