Waatea News Update

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

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Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Taranaki history seen in Tamil Tiger’s death

Maori Party leader Tariana Turia is comparing slain Tamil Tiger leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, the inventor of the suicide belt, with Parihaka non-violence prophets Te Whiti o Rongomai and Tohu Kakahi.

Mrs Turia says Prabhakaran's 33-year war for a separate Tamil homeland in northern Sri Lankahad its roots in British colonial policies which disenfranchised the Tamil mana whenua from their land.

She says when non-violent protest didn't work, the Tigers turned to military action ... which ended last week when the Sri Lankan army overran the Tiger's remaining enclave.

“And we know in our own history that leaders in our various movements also died and I can think of Te Whiti and Tohu who were taken down south – I recently was down there in Dunedin and went to the caves where the people of Taranaki were incarcerated – so we’ve also got long history of non-violent protest. At some point the government has to understand, and I’m certainly not advocating it, but overseas, people do get tired when they’re not listened to,” Mrs Turia says.

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR NGATI WHATUA STUDENTS

Student from Ngati Whatua o Orakei students are being given a leg up by the University of Auckland.

The university's Arts faculty is offering four scholarships.

Faculty dean John Morrow says the university has a Memorandum of understanding with the hapu which includes the aim of educational advancement.

The Faculty of Arts will also fund four $500 New Start bursaries to encourage mature Ngati Whatua o Orakei students who do not have University Entrance, to gain the skills and confidence to undertake tertiary study.

JOHN WALSH JOINS SISTER CITY CULTURAL EXCHANGE

Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti artist John Walsh will join other Wellington artists travelling China this weekend as part of a cultural exchange with sister city Xiamen.

As well as exhibiting their work, the artists will take part in lectures and workshops.

Mr Walsh is looking forward to sharing a cultural connection.

Flying Solo - an exhibiton drawn from private collections of John Walsh's work is showing at the New Dowse in Lower Hutt.

PAPAKURA CONCERNED SUPER CITY COULD UNDERMINE WORK

Maori in Papakura fear the proposed Auckland super-city will waste years of work building relationships between south Auckland councils and tangata whenua.

Willie Brown, who is helping to co-ordinate next Monday's hikoi against the super city transition, is urging Maori in the area to get behind the action.

He the Papakura District Council has developed good working relationships with Ngati Te Ata, Aakitai, Ngati Tamaoho, Ngai Tai and Ngati Paoa, which will be lost in the super city shakeup.

Papakura residents will gather at the historic Pa site, Pukekiwiriki, early on Monday morning, before heading into Auckland to take part in the hikoi.

MAORI PARTY MP ON ROAD TO DRUM UP POLICY

Waiariki MP Te Ururoa Flavell is encouraging Maori Party branch members to do more to set the party's policies.

He's just finished a three week week roadshow through Labour-held Ikaroa Rawhiti, reporting to members on how their representatives are performing.

Mr Flavell says he sought their views on issues such as the foreshore and seabed review, gang legislation and which Maori flag should flown on the Auckland Harbour Bridge next Waitangi day.

MUSHROOM SEASON SPARKS SEARCH FOR SAFE HARORE

Tis the season for Maori mushrooms, and while they are growing in abundance in the bush, Maori chef Charles Royal warns there are dangers for the uninitiated.

The authority on traditional kai says with matariki approaching, it is the time for harore of fungus.

But some varieties are extremely dangerous and can damage the liver and other organs.

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