Turia likes tenor of Key message

Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia says she was impressed by the tone John Key's first speech as National Party leader.

Speaking yesterday to a National Party audience in his Helensville electorate, Mr Key reiterated a commitment to one standard of citizenship, but said cultural, religious and ethnic differences should be celebrated.

Mrs Turia says that was different message than his predecessor was sending.

“Don Brash, when he talked about one standard of citizenship for everybody, he also gave the impression that they would treat people the same. Well, we’re not all the same, and that’s what John Key is saying They’ll work within the parameters of that culture, if they have to,” Turia says.

She says it is still too early to say if the Maori Party could give National its support to be in government, but it is prepared to work with it on specific issues.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARDS SEEK RESPECT

At Orakei Marae later today, there will be a celebration of the efforts Maori with mental health problems have made to get well and become part of the community.

Rangi McClean from Maori health service Hapai Te Hauora says the Respect Awards acknowledge the achievements of Maori who have overcome mental illness, and the contributions of their wider whanau to that process.

Mr McLean says the awards are a way of tackling the stigma that surrounds mental illness.

ANTI VIOLENCE HUI GIVING VOICE TO RANGATAHI

Organisers of an anti-violence hui in Whangarei hope it will give Northland rangatahi a chance to speak out about the environment they are living in.

Jenny Galpin from the Taitokerau Maori Women's Welfare League says tomorrow's will allow health, education and training providers to discuss a spate of violent attacks and murders in the region.

Ms Galpin says the hui will will be a forum where young people can speak safely with the support of these providers.

“What they're really saying is for goodness sakes listen to what we have to say, we do have needs, we know what our needs are and in some cases we also know how best to resolve it, and the biggest thing they want is to know that they will get some support,” Galpin says.

Jenny Galpin says it's hoped the presence of Youth Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta will mean government support for any further action coming out of the hui.

INDIGENOUS DECLARATION COMING UP FOR VOTE

Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia says the government should respect the views of Maori and drop its opposition to the declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples, which will be voted on by the United Nations this week.

New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the United States have opposed the document, which has been in development for 20 years.

Mrs Turia says the draft declaration has been endorsed by indigenous peoples, even though it doesn't give them everything they were asking for.

“Our people have been going over to those for a every year and New Zealand has actively campaigned with the others against signing up to that declaration. I don’t think it’s a big ask,” Turia says.

She says the government's attitude shows its commitment to biculturalism is a sham.

HENARE, TE HEUHEU PUSHED FOR SHADOW ROLES

With a new team heading National, attention now shift to how the line-up will look for the lower positions.

Rawiri Taonui, the head of Maori and indigenous studies at Canterbury University, says John Key's picks will be important if the party is to make up the ground lost by former leader Don Brash's opposition to Maori concerns.

Mr Taonui says it's unlikely Gerry Brownlee will be retained as Maori Affairs spokesperson, and that means the focus will be on list MP Georgina te Heuheu.

She's been stood down from the Maori affairs portfolio but still continues to do most of the work there. She should go back into that. Tau Henare is currently an associate on Maori affairs and Treaty of Waitangi issues. He might get a joint positioning with Chris Finlayson on Treaty of Waitangi issues,” Taonui says.

He says if it is to become government, National needs to show it can work with a Maori Party.

PUKANA IN THE PARK

We're all used to carols by candlelight, and Christmas in the park.

The producers of the children's te reo Maori programme, Pukana, which screens on TV3 and Maori Television, are today presenting Pukana in the Park.

Pukana presenter Matai Smith says they're bringing together all the littlies from Maori schools to Auckland's Taheke Reserve to celebrate the season in a uniquely Maori way.

He says it will be the first time many of the tamariki have heard the classic Christmas songs in Maori.

As well as the Pukana team, special guests will include Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia, Mabel Wharekawa Burt, or Auntie Mabel from the popular panel show, Ask your Aunties