This week Ngāti Kurī announced they will withdraw an application for an urgent hearing with the Waitangi Tribunal and re-enter direct treaty settlement negotiations with the Crown. Ngāti Kurī is part of the Te Hika Forum, which was an accord of five iwi established to progress the long-running Far North
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This week the Commissioner at Morewa School, Mike Eru, requested that the former students of the senior satellite unit vacate the school’s premises by the end of the week (refer edition 13/2012). This was because some of the students and their whānau were seeking Ministry of Education agreement to be
On Tuesday the Local Government and Environment Select Committee released its report on the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and Continental Shelf Bill. (For subscribers unfamiliar with this topic, earlier briefing information on this legislation is provided in the box that follows.) In relation to the Treaty of Waitangi (clause 14),
Professor Sir Mason Durie will retire in June from his current Massey University positions as Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Māori and Pasifika). Wally Stone (Ngāi Tahu) has been appointed to the board of directors of the Sealord Group. This week Te Puni Kōkiri hosted a series of hui to
Coincidental to Ministerial announcements on increased early childhood provisions, on Tuesday the Education Review Office released a research report on how such centres partner (or not) with Māori whānau; Partnership with Whānau Māori in Early Childhood Services.[1] Overall the Office indicates, in its press-release, that only 10% of 374 early
Pre-budget investment announcements continued this week, with the Associate Minister of Health, Tariana Turia, announcing on Wednesday the Budget will contain increased funding (a further $12 million per annum for four years) for the prevention of rheumatic fever. This is in addition to the existing $12 million per annum spent
The Auckland Independent Māori Statutory Board has commenced a series of six hui to consult on health and wellbeing issues such as Te Reo Māori, housing and co-governance of natural resources. Feedback from hui will be used to develop the Tāmaki Makaurau – Māori Wellbeing Plan. Ngāti Kahungunu iwi continues
On Thursday, the Minister of Tertiary Education, Steven Joyce, made a pre-election announcement regarding changes to tertiary education policy settings. One of the changes relates to student allowances – which will now be available for four years of study (down from five), and availability will be gradually reduce via a
On Wednesday, the Minister of Māori Affairs, Dr Pita Sharples, announced the establishment of a working group to refocus and strengthen Te Puni Kōkiri. The Minister noted that in a post-settlement environment, Māori and iwi were increasingly seeking strong relationships with the Crown, across multiple policy areas, and that the
On Tuesday, National MP Nikki Kaye tabled a Supplementary Order Paper to amend the Alcohol Reform Bill in order to retain the current age of eighteen for purchasing alcohol from off-licensed premises. This goes against the recommendations of the Law Commission and the Justice and Electoral Select Committee, both of
On Tuesday, the Minister of Education, Hekia Parata, and the Associate Minister of Education, Dr Pita Sharples, announced the establishment of a reference group on the Māori-medium teaching workforce. The ten-person group will focus on how to increase the number of Te Reo Māori teachers, particularly in classrooms where at
Yesterday, Statistics New Zealand released the Household Labour Force Survey results for the quarter to the end of March 2012. The survey shows an increase in unemployment from 6.3% to 6.7% of the workforce. For Māori, the unemployment rate increased from 13.4% to 13.9% (i.e. still more than double the
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Claims Settlement Bill Oral submissions are now being heard on the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Claims Settlement Bill. This settlement proposal has attracted more interest than most, as it includes the return of Narrow Neck Reserve area to the iwi. In total, 101 written submissions were received, most
On Monday the Minister of Education, Hekia Parata, dissolved (removed) the Board of Trustees of Moerewa School and appointed a Commissioner, Mike Eru, in its place. The Northland school has a strong Māori-focus, with 97% of pupils being Māori and three Te Reo Māori immersion classes. The context for this
As we have previously advised, the Māori Affairs Select Committee is holding an inquiry into the determinants of wellbeing for Māori Children. The inquiry has broad terms of reference which are not particularly clear (refer to attachment); however generally the Committee asks how Government social expenditure can be best used