Waatea News Update

News from Waatea 603 AM, Urban Maori radio, first with Maori news

My Photo
Name:
Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Sir Graham Latimer subject of symposium

Former prime ministers, judges and iwi leaders are lining up to take part in an October tribute to the long-serving chair of the New Zealand Maori Council, Sir Graham Latimer.

Jim Nichols, the council's deputy chair, says the symposium at Te Papa will look at his contributions Maori economic and social development, and to treaty claims on land, forestry, fisheries, the Maori language, broadcasting and the status of the Treaty of Waitangi itself.

Mr Nichols says Sir Graham has always shown humility.

"His achievements have been done in a very quiet way and it is not his style to be out in front of the public although what he has done has forced him to be in fort of the public, so he is not one of those leaders that stands out and shouts form the balcony how good they are and it is only on occasions like this that one is able to reflect and acknowledge his real contribution to Maori and the nation," Mr Nichols says.

Sir Graham continues to make an active contribution to the nation, more than 50 years after he joined the Maori Council.
 
POSITIVE PAKEHA DRAW MAORI TO GREEN PARTY

The Green's Tamaki Makaurau candidate says he was drawn to the party because of Pakeha members' support of Maori issues.

Mikaere Curtis from Te Arawa and Ngati Rongomai was confirmed as the candidate at the weekend.

He says there's little chance of unseating incumbent Pita Sharples, and he's out to boost the Green's share of the party vote.

The computer software designer joined the party after attending its conference six years ago.

"One of the Pakeha made a comment about 'how we're bending over backwards for Maori and how Maori have all this privIlege' and I thought I was going to have to get up and put him right, and all these Pakehas started standing up and telling him what the real deal was, and I thought here we have a situation where the Maori don't have to fight their own call all the time and you've actually got Pakeha who're educated on te tiriti and I thought give these guys a go and they're actually a great party to work with," Mr Curtis says.

He is the son of veteran Maori educator, Toby Curtis.
 
WOODEN GRAVE MARKERS SAVED FOR RESTORATION

Century-old wooden grave markers from an urupa in the south Hokianga have been removed for restoration.

The carved totara markers feature a mix of Maori and European carving influences, and are similar other plaques found through the north.

Rima Edwards, a Tai Tokerau kaumatua and member of the Historic Place's Trust's Maori heritage committee, says it's likely one of the carvings removed at a ceremony this weekend marks the grave of Whakarongahau Titore, the daughter of the prophet Papahurihia or Te Atua Wera.

Dean Whiting, the trust's chief Maori conservator, says despite their worn look the carvings are salvagable.

"Some are reasonable. They certainly have suffered from such a long time standing in the ground. Some had actually fallen over so also had a bit of decay damage round the bases as well. So whilst they can be put back, there's still a lot of work in terms of stabilising them and making them sound enough to survive another 100 years," Mr Whiting says.

MEET THE NEW POLICY, SAME AS THE OLD POLICY BUT NOW MODERATE

The author of a book which exposed National's 2005 campaign strategies says this year's election is looking like an exact re-run.

Nicky Hager says the leaked material he used for The Hollow Men showed the Maori bashing of former leader Don Brash's two Orewa speeches was deliberately and cynically put in to appeal to the prejudices of soft supporters.

He says while John Key is being painted as friendly, approachable and centrist, the content and delivery of this week's social policy release is almost identical to the message dished up by Dr Brash.

"The speech he gave the other day and the policy he released is pretty well identical to the one Brash gave three years ago. In other words, they're rerunning exactly the same tricks aimed at the same people, and it's not because they think that 30 or 40,000 people on the DPB have to be pushed into jobs to help the economy ands save the country from welfare dependency, it's just a nice easy way to grab those central votes by getting people angry and against somebody and feeling indignant," Mr Hager says.

ACC ISSUES GUIDE FOR CULTURAL AWARENESS

Maori patients will benefit from a new dvd being sent out to GP's and health professionals by the Accident Compensation Corporation.

Paula Snowden, the ACC's director of Maori and community relations, says Te Tuuoro Maori me o Mahi or The Maori patient in your practise is a guide to what health providers need to know of tikanga Maori.

She says the guideline could also apply to other cultures.

"Some of it is really relationship 101. It's just good communications, good effective communications but recognising that culture and nationality do play a role in how you engage with patients," Ms Snowden says.

She says the dvd has got a positive response from health professionals.
 
KURA KAUPAPA KIDS GET ROLE IN BATTALION REUNION

The younger generation of Maori are being given a special role at a reunion for some of the oldest.

Len Robinson from the 28th Maori Battalion says next February's reunion in Whanganui will include a parade of battle honours through Motoa Gardens.
He says tamariki from kaura kaupapa Maori will carry the banners on behalf of the veterans.

He says the battle honopur relating to Turanganui a Kiwa Ngarimu VC has been reserved for his hapu, and will be carried by the kura kaupapa from that area.

About 500 veterans and whanau are expected to attend the reunion, which is hosted by D Company.

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home