Waatea News Update

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Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Monday, August 25, 2008

Committee skeptical on dolphin science

A parliamentary committee has cast doubt on the restrictions imposed to protect Hector's and Maui's dolphins.

In May Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton banned set net and draft net fishing in large parts of the coast, upsetting many iwi, recreational and comercial fishing interests.

David Carter, the chair of the primary production select committee, says the committee asked Mr Anderton to produce the science the decision was based on.

"He subsequently sent us information but it is not science information at all. A lot of it is opinion from various people abut the threat to dolphins from fishing so the committee felt he had made a decision he couldn't actually back with sound science," Mr Carter says.

The committee wants to see what effect the new rules have on increasing populations, and it wants the ministry to broaden its research to ensure the fishing industry is not hampered more than is strictly necessary to protect these species.
 
TWO TICK STRATEGY BEHIND MAORI PARTY LIST CHOICES

The Maori Party is counting on high profile names to attract the list vote.

Last election the party's wins in four of the seven Maori electorates gave it seats in excess of its share of the party vote, leading to criticism of its two-tick strategy.

But the party is persisting with the strategy, and its party list includes the Maori electorate candidates in the first seven slots, followed by two prominent women - Ngati Whatua chairperson Naida Glavish and former Kohanga reo trust chief executive Iritana Tawhiwhirangi.

President Whatarangi Winiata says the list has been chosen for national appeal, as the party tries to build on the success of its inaugural caucus.

"The tikanga Maori House has arrived. It is a reality. Its influence will grow and the number of seats grows and we're hoping this year and working towards this that there will be a much greater contribution to the house as a consequence of the party vote," Professor Winiata says.
 
MAORI ROLE IN DIVERSITY INVOLVES REACHING OUT

Maori media is being urged to make links with other communities.

The Human Rights Commission is holding a National Diversity Forum in Auckland to look at diversity in media, languages, faith and public policy.

Gilbert Wong, the commission's media advisor, says honouring the Treaty of Waitangi and respect for tangata whenua are the foundation for diversity.
But he says other cultures in Aotearoa need to be embraced.

"Maori media is there, it's got its own kaupapa, which is to try and tell the stories of its community, but the Maori community is not in isolation. If we live here in New Zealand we have connections, there's going to be different stories that are relevant. There's always a place for different people to put out connections really," Mr Wong says.

He says recent Asian concern about crime in south Auckland was an example where media could reach across barriers.

LEE WILL LEAD MAORI PLAYERS INTO WORLD CUP CHALLENGE
 
One of the men credited with bringing on a generation of Maori golfers says Danny Lee's US Amateur championship win this morning will boost New Zealand's chances at the Eisenhower cup in October.

The Korean-born 18-year-old will join James Gill and Maori golfer Jarrod Pender in the squad for Adelaide.

Vic Pirihi says New Zealand last won the title in 1992, when Michael Campell, Phil Tataurangi, Steven Scahill and Grant Moorehead blitzed the opposition.

He says the Lee team could match that finish.

"I think they've got as good a chance as any. Danny Lee's obviously the form player worldwide but Jarrod Pender and James Gill are very good back-up, don't worry about that," Mr Pirihi says.

The presence of coach Jamie Cooper and manager Murray Martin gives the Eisenhower team a strong Maori flavour.
 
MAORI PARTY COULD HAVE LOCAL ELECTION ROLE

An Auckland City Councillor wants to see the Maori Party involved in local body elections.

Denise Roche is upset the Citizens and Ratepayers majority on the council's Finance and Strategy Committee blocked consideration of a Maori ward.

She says it's hard to advance Maori kaupapa through the council, but the inclusion of Maori Party with its record of getting Maori involved in the political process could make a difference.

"If the Maori Party were active in local body elections then I think we would get much better quality representation and there's some major issues around the environment and the role of Maori for kaitiakitanga that cuuld be driven up as an election issue for local bodies, so I'd really like to see the Maori Party getting active there," says Ms Roche, who holds the Huaraki Gulf ward, but also affliates to Tainui, Ngati Raukawa and Ngati Huri.
 
SHARED FISHERIES DISAPPEARS INTO COMMITTEE CONFUSION

The chair of Parliament's primary production select committee, National MP David Carter, wants to see more action in resolving concerns over shared fisheries.

The Fisheries Ministry has backed off its initial plans to redistribute quota in key coastal species like paua, snapper and kahawai in the face of opposition from Maori, recreational and commercial fishers.

Mr Carter says the select committee found the idea hasn't gone away, but the ministry has asked the users to develop a solution.

"Mr Anderton has been a past master of forming committees and expert advisory groups whenever he is confronted by a problem. They spend a lot of time talking about it, but at the end of the day nothing concrete has come out of that process to advance the concept of shared fisheries," Mr Carter says.
 
RATANA TEAM SHOWS CLASS IN AOTEA KAPA HAKA REGIONALS

The distinct west coast reo was on show at this weekend's Aotea kapa haka regional finals at New Plymouth Girls High School.

Ratana Pa's Te Reanga Morehu was judged top of the 10 groups competing.

Another long-established team, Te Matapihi Moemoea from Whanganui, was second, while newcomers Nga Purapura o Te Hauauru from Waitara were third with what judge Raymond Kaiki says was a vibrant and youthful performance.

The three teams will go through to Te Matatini finals in Tauranga in February.

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