Waatea News Update

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

My Photo
Name:
Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Maori nation call from Maori Party leader

Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia says Maori need to remember they are a nation in their own right.

The associate health minister is putting the finishing touches on Whanau Ora, which will give up to 20 Maori organisations the responsibility of delivering integrated health, welfare and other government services in their regions.

She says as she's travels the country promoting the scheme she is inspired by Maori who are at the forefront of change in areas like health, justice and education.

"We are a nation in our own right and we must always remember that and hold our own flag high and above our heads so that we don’t lose sight of who we are and begin top come under this brand called a New Zealand becuaae we are Nw Zealanders but first and foremost we are of the Maori nation," Mrs Turia says.

She says it is easy to be blinded by the negative statistics about Maori, and fail to see the large number of Maori who are doing well.

MORE MAORI SIGHTED AT SCHOOL TRUSTEES HUI

The president of the School Trustees Association says Maori parents are taking an increasing role in managing schools.

Lorraine Kerr says back in 1989 when the Tomorrow's Schools reform put schools in the hands of elected boards of trustees, there were very few Maori involved in governance.

She says that's changed, as was shown at this year's annual conference in Christchurch, where there were much larger numbers of Maori and Pacific parents than even 10 years ago.

She says it's not just Maori medium schools but mainstream schools where Maori parents are standing for election.

SOUTH ISLAND CARVING SCHOOL STARTING STRONG

A new carving school in Lyttelton is looking forward to being in business for the long haul.

Head tutor Caine Tauwhare says the Whakaraupo Carving Centre is the realisation of his Aunty Sissy's 30 year dream to establish a focal point for mahi whakairo in the South Island.

He says the first 12 students started on Community Max, and all have now returned for stage 2 despite having to take a pay cut because of a change in funding.

He says there ahs been strong support from the community, and positive feedback.

PUSH FOR DOLPHIN TO GO BACK TO MAHIA

The Mahia Maori Committee is pushing for remains of Moko the dolphin returned to the east coast settlement.

The bottle-nosed dolphin found dead on Matakana Island in the Bay of Plenty last week, and its remains have been autopsied at Massey University in Palmerston North.

Committee spokesperson Wiremu Blake says Moko was named after Mokotaia beach where he first started inter-acting with bathers and boats, and he spent several years in the waters around Mahia peninsula.

There is also interest in Moko from Whakatane and Te Papa museum in Wellington, with the Ministry of Conservation having the final say.

He says if the dolphin is created, some of his ashes could be returned to be places in a monument outside the Mahia fishing club at Mokotaia.

Planning for a sculpture of Moko is under way.

TAUPO WINS KUDOS FOR COLLABORATION WITH TUWHARETOA

The Institute of Public Aministration has given a joint award to Taupo District Council and the Tuwharetoa Maori Trust Board for the way tangata whenua have been given a voice in council affairs.

Dylan Tahou, the council's strategic relationships manager, says about 60 percent of the land in the council's boundaries is multiply-owned Maori land.

That means it's vital the parties find ways to work together.

“We now have Maori who are able to suit in their capacity as Tuwharetoa representatives on the decision-making panels when it comes to Maori resource consents and private plan changes so for tow to three years now we’ve been working through it and starting to get some results,” Mr Tahou says.

STUDENTS DRAWN INTO PLAY CREATION

Wellington Maori theatre company Taki Rua is putting the finishing touches on a new play to be taken on a nationwide tour of kura kaupapa Maori.

Spokesperson Keryn Jones says writers and actors worked with Maori-speaking rangatahi to come up with something that's a departure from previous productions.

She says Matapihi ki Te Ao will be presented by four actors totally in te reo Maori.

“Generally our work has been text based, script devised, and this year we got our four actors to work with a kura kaupapa and see what the kids were interested in seeing, “ Ms Jones says.

The 10-week Matapihi ki Te Ao tour starts at the end of the month.

Meanwhile, Taki Rua opened its 10-day repeat season on David Geary's Mark Twain and Me in Maoriland at Downstage Theatre in Wellington tonight.

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home