Last Thursday Energy and Resources Minister, Phil Heatley, announced a consultation process for awarding ‘block 2013’ oil and gas exploration permits was commencing. This process includes seeking the views of iwi groups where a proposed ‘block’ is within their rohe, and/or up to 100 km offshore. Up to 74 iwi
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Yesterday Statistics New Zealand released the Household Labour Force Survey results for the quarter to the end of September 2012. The survey shows an increase in unemployment from 6.8% to 7.3% of the workforce. For Māori, the unemployment rate increased 2.3% from 12.8% to 15.1% (remaining more than double the
On Thursday Emeritus Professor Whatarangi Winiata confirmed that the Māori spectrum coalition would be seeking to reactivate an urgent hearing of the Waitangi Tribunal, in relation to the sale and allocation of spectrum, and the financial returns associated with that (WAI 2224). By way of background, the Government intends to
On Wednesday the Mount Maunganui Borough Reclamation and Empowering Act Repeal Bill was read a third time. This bill was introduced by Minister Pita Sharples and is supported by Tauranga Moana iwi (refer to E20/2012 for details). On Wednesday the first reading of the Oaths and Declarations (Upholding the Treaty
Yesterday the Families Commission released a report on Māori grandparents entitled, Tupuna – Ngā Kaitiaki Mokopuna – a resource for Māori Grandparents. The study is based on telephone interviews and cluster group interviews, comprising of 187 participants. The research looks at a wide range of experiences and issues presenting for
On Monday the Deputy Prime Minister, Bill English, released a ten-page response to the report of the Productivity Commission on housing (including Māori housing). Overall the Government response to Māori housing matters is benign; i.e. yes Whānau Ora workers should ‘in principle’ assist Māori with housing matters; yes ‘centralising advice’
Annual reports 2011/12 for all central agencies have now been tabled in parliament. We are currently reviewing key agency reports, focusing on aspects relevant to Māori. (Last week we advised on the full report of Te Puni Kōkiri.) The reports are variable in how they report on Māori outcomes.
Last weekend Crown treaty settlements were (separately) signed with Ngāi Takoto and Te Rarawa. Both iwi are members of the Te Hiku Forum, which comprises of five iwi seeking to resolve the longstanding Muriwhenua claims in the Far North. Other iwi members of the forum were Te Aupouri (settlement was
On Wednesday a meeting was held between the eight iwi involved in the Central North Island (CNI) iwi treaty settlement, to discuss the potential appointment of adjudicators. The resulting outcome has been the continued suspension of legal action on this matter, and the scheduling of a further meeting later this
On Monday the Court of Appeal dismissed the Urewera Four’s appeal against their convictions and sentences for a range of firearms charges. (For details on this matter refer to pānui 4 March 2011.) The Federation of Māori Authorities is holding their annual general meeting and conference from the 2 –
The Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading and Other Matters) Amendment Bill had its second reading on Thursday. This bill effects Māori forestry interests in particular, (refer to pānui E11/2012 for details on this policy matter). On Wednesday the Mokomoko (Restoration of Character, Mana, and Reputation) Bill was read for a
This week Muriel Newman from the lobby group Centre for Political Research, announced they have established a second lobby group, entitled, ‘The Independent Constitutional Review Panel’. As the name suggests, the new group seeks to undertake its own review of the constitution. We advise no academic, legal, policy, or consultative
On Tuesday the Waitangi Tribunal released part three of its report on the Te Urewera claims (WAI 894). This two-hundred page section covers Crown actions relating to the formation of the Te Urewera National Park, and its effect on the people of the area. The Tribunal finds that the Crown
Last week we advised that the Government had announced that it intended to proceed with its policy programme of mixed-ownership for some energy companies; and that the New Zealand Māori Council announced that they would challenge the legality of this. This week these statements were put into action. On Tuesday
Last week the Ministry of Social Development released their Benefit facts sheets for the third quarter (1 July to 30 Sept 2012). These statistics were unannounced by the Minister of Social Development, Paula Bennett. The data shows 321,000 people in the working-age population,[1] were receiving one of the main benefits.