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Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Thursday, November 30, 2006

Te Heuheu angling for Maori shadow role

National list MP Georgina Te Heuheu wants her old job back.

Indications from new National leader John Key is that his pick for Maori affairs spokesperson is between Mrs te Heuheu and Tau Henare, who was minister for Maori affairs between 1996 and 1999.

Mrs te Heuheu was dropped as spokesperson after she refused to endorse former leader Don Brash's Orewa speech on race relations.

She says she's happy with the direction the party is taking and is looking forward to being more active.

“We're in a new mode here. We’ve got a new leader, we’ve got new leadership, and things are looking great as far as I’m concerned. And if he’s come to a decision that he wants me to do a particular portfolio and he comes to me and says ‘like you to do this,’ of course I'd say 'thank you',” Mrs Te Heuheu says.

NGUNGURU HAPU SAYS NO SWEETENERS FROM DEVELOPER

A Northland hapu is denying claims it was offered money to support a coastal subdivision.

Voilet Sade from Ngunguru's Waiariki Kororaa claims' team says there is no truth in a newspaper story claiming developer Landco will help build a marae, provide better access to hapu land and build an educational facility.

She says the hapu hasn't decided whether to support or oppose the 350 section development of the Ngunguru sandspit.

“You know all this crap that Labndco’s giving us sweeteners, a marae and all that, that’s crap. They have never promised anything like that at all. They have gone through the consultation process in the last 18 months with Te Waiariki, and that’s still ongoing. There’s been no documents signed, no nothing,” Sade says.

TAINUI ENDOWED COLLEGE DREAM REVIVED

Tainui has revived attempts to create a post graduate learning and research centre in a purpose-built facility at Hopuhopu.

The endowed college was the dream of the late Sir Robert Mahuta, who is buried at the entrance of the $30 million building.

Former Auckland University Maori Studies head Ngapare Hopa, who worked with Sir Robert in Waikato University's Centre for Maori Studies and Research, has been brought in to head the project.

Professor Hopa says the centre will need to attract local and international experts.

“The vision that the late Te Kotahi Mahuta had was a wonderful idea, as a residential place for post graduate students and as a research centre of excellence, My task is to try to bring that vision to fruition and to get this college up and operational by 2008,” Professor Hopa says.

She says Sir Robert's intention was that a third of the graduate students be from Waikato Tainui, another third be from other iwi and the balance would be international scholars.

KAIAUA HAPU PARTNERS WITH CROWN TO HOUSE KAUMATUA

A Ngati Paoa hapu has worked with Housing New Zealand to house kaumatua in the settlement of Kaiaua south of Auckland.

Housing Minister Chris Carter today opened the first four houses built by the corporation on Pingao Trust land.

Pingao spokesperson Glen Tupuhi says the trust has long term plans to build a 20 house papakainga development, but its immediate need was to get its old people out of substandard housing.

Mr Tupuhi says it has taken four years to get consents and build.

“The arrangement is Pingao own the land, they lease the land off Pingao Trust, abnd of course Housing New Zealand look after the houses. Which is wonderful for the kaumatua, because they pay income related rents,” Mr Tupuhi says.

The Pingao Trust has an option to buy the houses after 10 years.

KEY SAYS NARROW VISION NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR LEADER

The man aspiring to be the next prime minister says he is looking forward to representing Maori New Zealanders.

John Key has moved quickly to extend an olive branch to Maori, who were turned off National by predecessor Don Brash's Orewa speech on race relations and his comments on Maori blood quantum,

Mr Key says those sorts of attitudes aren't acceptable, and a leader must represent all people.

“I think New Zealand’s going to mature over the next 10 or 20 years. If you want to be prime minister New Zealand, my view is you can’t be prime minister of the white guys. You have to be primie minister of all New Zealanders, and if you’re not, you’re not worthy of having the role,” Mr Key says.

PETERS’ FIJI ROLE SOURCE OF PRIDE

Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia says Maori should take pride in the fact it was a Maori politician trying to broke an agreement between the Fijian prime minister and army chief.

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters brought together Laisenia Qarase and Frank Bainimarama for talks in Wellington yesterday aimed at averting a coup in the island nation.

Mr Horomia says many Pacific nations look towards New Zealand for assistance in political affairs.

“Those countries have a lot of reliance on New Zealand’s support and development, and that’s the impact of globalization. Winston Peters did amazingly well even to have the meeting for that period of time, because everyone said it would only take 15 minutes but it took well over a couple of hours,” Mr Horomia says.

He says whatever now happens in Fiji, Mr Peters must be credited for his attempt to find a resolution.

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