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Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Wednesday, January 06, 2010

Whanganui spelling endorsed by iwi

Bulletins December 18

Whanganui Maori say the Government has made the right decision in directing Crown agencies to include h in the spelling of Whanganui.

Ken Mair says Te Runanga o Tupoho, which led the charge for the correct spelling, endorsed the decision at a hui soon after the announcement today by Lands Information Minister Maurice Williamson.

He says the decision has been well received by those who have pushed for change and over time everyone will get used to spelling Whanganui with an h.

MINISTER LOOKS TO EARLY INTERVENTION FOR CRIME CURE

Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples says early intervention is the key to Government's strategy for beating crime among Maori.

Dr Sharples says the Drivers of Crime hui earlier this year clearly identified Maori as a special needs area and the government has responded.

He says all government departments will now make Maori a focal point as they work together to nip crime in the bud with a range of measures.

“First of all nurturing babies in their early life, correcting behaviour of youth before it gets too far down the line and the effects of over indulgence in alcohol and fourthly, finding alternatives to prison for young offenders,” Dr Sharples says.

He says too many young Maori lives are wasted in jail.

ZAC GUILFORD NAMED MAORI RUGBY PLAYER OF YEAR

All Black winger Zac Guilford, who was named Maori player of the year last night at the national rugby awards is being seen by commentaors as a key to wresting back the Rugby World Cup in 2011.

Sky Sport rugby host Karl Te Nana says the Ngati Kahungunu 20 year old covered himself in glory on the recent tour of Europe and shows maturity beyond his years.

He says Guilford's success in winning the Tom French Memorial trophy for best Maori player of the year is just reward for hard work including dealing with the loss of his father during the Under 20's World Cup in Japan earlier in the year.


SINGLE AUTHORITY SET UP TO MANAGE RIVER COMES UNDER FIRE

An agreement signed yesterday between Waikato-Tainui tribal leaders and the Crown to set up a single authority to co-manage the Waikato River is being fought by a Karapiro hapu.

Iwi leader Tuku Morgan described his people as being in a state of euphoria following the signing while Tom Roa, from Ngati Maniapoto and Waikato said the joy was only tempered by the knowledge of the work that lay ahead.

But Maori in the Karapiro area have lodged an urgent claim with the Waitangi Tribunal to have the agreement overturned which the Crown must respond to by January 12.

Willie Te Aho, whose wife Linda Papa's people own land by the lake, says they will also be fighting the deed of settlement at the Select Committee stage.

“If all of that fails, when the world comes to Karapiro next October for the rowing championships we will certainly let the world know we have been treated in a dishonorable way by the Crown.
Mr Te Aho says.

He says the previous Deed of Settlement, signed last year but not implemented, protected their rights by having six separate bodies to manage the river, not just a single entity the Waikato River Authority.

MAORI MEDIA PIONEER PUSHES INTO DIGITAL BOOKS

A Maori media company has signed a deal with publishing giant Penguin to globally distribute electronic children’s books.

Former Maori Businesswoman of the Year Rhonda Kite of Kiwa Media Group says to date the company has been self-funded with a small shareholding from friends and family but now it's time to take it to the world.

She says the agreement with Penguin Publishers follows the company's successful development of language dubbing software which is now being used in 17 different countries.

She says there are huge opportunities for publishing digital books, so canny investors will be found.

Kiwa Media's first interactive book will be up in the iTunes store in mid-January.

MINISTER DEFENDS WHANGANUI SPELLING CHANGE

Minister for Lands Information Maurice Williamson announced today that alternative spelling of the city's name with or without the letter h would be acceptable but Crown agencies must include the h in their usage.

Ken Mair says Te Runanga o Tupoho endorsed the decision at a hui soon after the decision was announced.

He says in claiming the status quo is maintained. Wanganui mayor Michael Laws has got it wrong, as the Crown has shifted its position.

He says the Government's use of the name will soon see it universally adopted.

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