On Monday the Minister of Labour, Simon Bridges, announced that the minimum wage would be increased from $13.75 to $14.25 per hour, commencing 1 April. This is effectively a $20 per-week increase to $570 for a full-time worker on this rate. This equates to an additional $1,040 per annum,
Author: admin
Yesterday The Treasury announced that a data processing error had been made with Statistics New Zealand, in relation to calculations of the amount of welfare provided through the Housing Accommodation Supplement. Circa 308,000 people receive this benefit, and the error was that the value of the supplement was incorrectly
Last Thursday a Bay of Plenty Māori Economic Strategy was released. The strategy is called He Mauri Ohooho, and is one of a series of economic strategy documents being developed within the region, by a cluster group entitled, ‘Bay of Connections’.[1] A summary of the key components of this
This week the New Zealand Māori Council confirmed that its urgent Waitangi Tribunal claim hearing for WAI 2417 will be held at Pipitea Marae, Wellington, from Tuesday 18 March to Thursday 20 March. WAI 2417 concerns potential amendments to the Maori Community Development Act 1962, which is the establishment
On Wednesday Dr Lance O’Sullivan (Ngāti Maru, Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa), was named as the KiwiBank New Zealander of the Year, 2014. Dr O’Sullivan runs community healthcare services in the Far North region. Hemi Rolleston (Te Arawa, Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui) has been appointed General Manager, Māori Economy, at
Last Saturday Te Kawerau a Maki signed a Deed of Settlement with the Crown. The settlement includes a financial redress of $6.5 million and a $300,000 contribution towards the establishment of a Te Kawerau ā Maki Marae.
Last Friday the Crown recognised Tūhoronuku as the mandated authority to negotiate the settlement for all Ngāpuhi historical Treaty of Waitangi claims.[1] We advise this is a major step forward for the iwi in regards to the settlement process, and will ultimately have an effect on all 125,000 Ngāpuhi members
On Monday the Minister of Education, Hekia Parata, released a media statement on NCEA results for 2013.[1] The statement indicates that 59% of Māori students left school at the end of 2013 with at least NCEA level 2. This is up from 55% in 2012, and 44% in 2008.[2] In
On Wednesday the second reading of the Te Tau Ihu Claims Settlement Bill was completed in Parliament. This Bill, when passed, will give effect to the deeds of settlement between the Crown and eight iwi in Te Tau Ihu (top of the South Island). The iwi are: Ngāti Apa ki
Last week The Salvation Army released its 2014, ‘State of the Nation Report’, which this year is subtitled, ‘Striking A Better Balance’. This is an annual report on social wellbeing matters prepared by the Army’s social policy unit. As with previous years, the report divides into five chapters; care of
This week Shane Taurima resigned as the Head of Māori and Pacific Programmes at Television New Zealand, after TV3 broadcast information which showed he was actively involved with Labour Party campaigning. Television New Zealand has now launched an internal inquiry into the editorial independence of the broadcasters Māori and
Last Friday Ngāti Kuri signed a Deed of Settlement with the Crown. The settlement includes financial and commercial redress of circa $2 million and a cultural endowment fund of $2.2 million.
This week the Crown Forestry Rental Trust deferred another trustee meeting as chairperson, Angela Foukles, indicated it is unclear to her whether Neville Baker had been legitimately selected as a new trustee by the two Māori appointors (namely the New Zealand Māori Council and the Federation of Māori Authorities). Ms
As advised last week, Te Puni Kōkiri has uploaded onto its website research the agency commissioned in relation to Māori boys at secondary school. The report is entitled, Tamakaiwānanga: Māori boys at secondary school: A qualitative study of Māori boys motivation and engagement at NCEA Level 1. The objective of
As advised in Pānui 3/2014, the United Nations Human Rights Committee has released a (final draft) periodic review report on New Zealand. The purpose of this series of reports is to evaluate human rights matters in countries that are members of the United Nations, and ultimately improve human rights globally.