Waatea News Update

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Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Saturday, June 06, 2009

Whanganui River battle back to Environment Court

The Whanganui River Trust Board has been told to go back to the Environment Court in its battle over the amount of water Genesis Power draws from the river's headwaters for the Tongariro power scheme.

A split Court of Appeal judgment this week said the Environment Court was wrong to issue a 10 year resource consent, rather than the 35 year consent Genesis sought, on the basis the shortened term could give time for some "meeting of the minds" between the parties.

But it agreed with the lower courts that the consent renewal process was hampered by the refusal of Whanganui iwi to say what the power generator could do to mitigate the detrimental affect the diversion of water has on their cultural and spiritual values.

A spokesperson for Genesis Power says the company is keen to get back to the Environment Court to come up with a suitable regime for the next 35 years.

SHARPLES LOOKING FOR WARDENS TO STEP UP TO AUTONOMY

Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples wants the Maori Wardens to take more responsibility for themselves.

Waitemata Wardens are threatening to pull out of a training programme run by Te Puni Kokiri, in protest over what chair Jack Taumaunu says is amateurs trying to tell experienced wardens what to do.

Pita Sharples says while the wardens supposedly operate under the New Zealand Maori Council, they have in effect been self-administered until the previous government appointed TPK to administer a new resourcing package.

He says ultimately the wardens need to take charge of their own affairs.

“As soon as possible the wardens should be given their own tino rangatiratanga and stand on their own feet as much as they can. They’re the ones doing the mahi, they’ve been on a big recruitment drive, they’ve had excellent police training, and it’s quite exciting to see the number of young people who have stepped up to take that role,” Dr Sharples says.

ACADEMY WILL PROVIDE SUPPORT PATHS FOR MAORI ACADEMICS

The head of a new academy for Maori professional advancement says it's a challenge to keep Maori academics in the system long enough for them to assume leadership roles.

Selwyn Katene says many promising Maori graduates are lured away to jobs in the public or private sectors, where there is a huge demand for highly qualified Maori.

He says Manu Ao, which is funded for the next three years by the Tertiary Education Commission to run leadership forums, symposiums and other support services.

“We can develop a cadre of emerging leaders who are ready and willing and able and fully trained take on some of those senior positions, and at the same time the more experienced leaders can provide good mentoring and advice and information to the younger ones coming through,” Mr Katene says.

Manu Ao is supported by all eight universities.

TE WAKA KAI ORA GATHERS AT ROMA TO TALK HEALTHY FOOD

Maori organic growers' association Te Waka Kai Ora is holding its hui a tau at Ahipara's Roma Marae this weekend with the message Maori land should be used to grow Maori kai.

National co-ordinator Pounamu Skelton says there's still a lot of Maori land which isn't used, and which could be the basis for small food businesses.

She says interest in growing is growing, as people look at ways to feed their large families, as well as service hapu and marae.

Pounamu Skelton says on the agenda is an international brand and standard for growing kai Maori.

NORMAN KEEN FOR TUREI TO SWAY MAORI VOTERS

Russel Norman is picking his new co-leader Meteria Turei to significantly boost Maori support for the Greens.

The Brisbane born MP, who came to New Zealand to study how Mana Motuhake, New Labour and the Greens combined to form the Alliance, says the emergence of the Maori Party drew Maori support from the Greens.

He says both parties are likely to be round for a long time competing for Maori voters.

“When you look at the evolution of our MMP system, clearly the Greens and the Maori Party are the long term stayers within that system because we both represent something very real and important,” Dr Norman says.

He says while the environment remains a major priority, the Greens are also committed to seeing the Maori version of the Treaty of Waitangi honoured.

KAHUI OUT FOR REST OF SEASON WITH SHOULDER INJURY

All Black coach Graeme Henry is disappointed to lose outside back Richard Kahui to a shoulder injury which rules out of action for the rest of the year.

Tokoroa-born Kahui from Ngati Maniapoto was injured in the Chiefs' Super 14 loss to the Bulls in Pretoria last weekend.

Mr Henry says it's a bitter blow for the 23 year old, but there is no alternative other than surgery to repair the damage.

Graeme Henry, speaking at the end of the All Blacks three day training session in Auckland.

Two other promising Maori players have entered the All Black squad, flanker Tanirau Latimer from Te Arawa and lock Isaac Ross from Ngati Kahungunu and Ngapuhi.

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