Categories
Education Private Posts Social

Early Childhood Taskforce Report released: omnibus excerpt

On Wednesday a report of the Early Childhood Education Taskforce was released, An Agenda for Amazing Children.  Unsurprisingly – and in accordance with Dr Gluckman’s views – this report highlights the importance of early childhood education, stating “it is one of the most important investments a country can make”.  There
Categories
Private Posts Rōpu Māori Social Welfare

Welfare Reform – Ministerial Working Group established: omnibus excerpt

On Tuesday the Government announced that a Ministerial Working Group would be established to consider the recommendations from the Welfare Working Group report.  The members are: The Minister of Social Development and Employment – Ms Paula Bennett (convener); Minister of Finance – Dr Bill English; Minister of Justice – Simon
Categories
Uncategorized

Queen’s Birthday Honours for 2011

Queen’s Birthday Honours for 2011 the Order of New Zealand (ONZ) awards included the following people: The New Zealand Order of Merit DNZM (Dame Companion of the Order) Dr Katerina Te Heikoko Mataira, CNZM, for services to the Māori language    CNZM (Companion of the Order) Herbert John Te Kauru
Categories
Government

Environmental Protection Authority appointments named

 Anake Goodall (Ngāi Tahu) and Taria Tahana (Te Arawa) have been appointed to the board of the Environmental Protection Authority. The Authority will be an independent Crown entity, and comes into being on the 1 July 2011. As an aside: Environment Minister, Nick Smith also announced that he will seek
Categories
Government Social Welfare

Welfare reform ministerial group named

  Today the Government announced that a Ministerial Working Group would be established to consider the recommendations from the Welfare Working Group report. The members are: The Minister of Social Development and Employment – Ms Paula Bennett (convener); Minister of Finance – Dr Bill English; Minister of Justice – Simon Power;
Categories
Rōpu Māori Settlements Treaty Uncategorized

Ngāti Kahu proposed Deed of Partial Settlement rejected by the Crown

The Minister of Treaty Negotiation, Chris Finlayson, has rejected Ngāti Kahu  proposed Deed of Partial Settlement (partial appears to mean a proposal for a land settlement in the near future, with financial compensation to follow, possibly over generations). 

Categories
Settlements Treaty

No customary title before general election

Over the weekend Minister of Treaty Negiotitions: Chris Findlayson announced that no customary title will be awarded under the new Marine and Coastal Area Act before this year’s election. Te Rarawa and Ngāti Pahauwera have already expressed their interest to the Government in negotiating customary title under the Marine and
Categories
Private Posts Rōpu Māori Settlements Treaty

Treaty matters: omnibus excerpt

Ngāti Manuhiri signs Deed of Settlement Last Saturday a Deed of Settlement was signed between Ngāti Manuhiri and the Crown.   The value of the settlement package is circa $9 million and made up of financial redress and the return of six culturally significant sites. Ngāti Manuhiri has a membership of
Categories
Education Private Posts Rōpu Māori Social Welfare

Families Commission report released: omnibus excerpt

On Monday the Families Commission released a report on after-school / holiday care services.  The report is entitled Caring For Kids – Parents’ Views On Out-of-School Services and Care.  Amongst other items, the report findings that Māori want more affordable, quality childcare in their neighbours, with appropriate cultural content.  Although
Categories
Private Posts Rōpu Māori

Māori broadband group has mandate extended:omnibus excerpt

This week, The Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Steven Joyce, announced the successful tenderers for the ‘Ultra-Fast Broadband’ (UFB) initiative. This has a total value of $1.5 billion.  Mr Joyce also announced, along with the Minister of Māori Affairs, Dr Pita Sharples, that the recently established Māori Working Group
Categories
Fisheries Private Posts Rōpu Māori Treaty

Māori Fisheries – iwi use of foreign fishing vessels and offshore processing: omnibus excerpt

This week a Māori Fisheries conference was held at which the Minister of Fisheries, Phil Heatly, presented.  His formal speech was positive, and he noted the fisheries industry was now valued at $4 billion dollars, and that Māori control close to 37% of the fishing quota.  He further suggested Māori
Categories
Rōpu Māori Uncategorized

New Plymonth District Council vote against Māori seats

On Wednesday, the New Plymouth District Council voted against having two designated Māori seats in the 2013 local body elections,  instead the public will have the option to vote for Māori Wards in a referendum held at the same time as the election.   During the same council meeting a proposal
Categories
Rōpu Māori Social Uncategorized Welfare

Families Commission report on formal school aged childcare trends

On Monday the Families Commission released a report on after-school care services.  The report, Caring for kids- parents’ views on out-of-school services and care, was prepared to provide an evidence base to support the Minister of Social Development- Paula Bennett’s decisions regarding  the Out-of-School Care and Recreation (OSCAR) review and
Categories
Rōpu Māori

New Māori Trustee appointed

Today, the Minister of Māori Affairs, Dr Pita Sharples announced that Jamie Tuuta (Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Tama, Te Ati Awa, and Taranaki Tūturu) will replace John Paki as the new Māori Trustee.  The appointment will be for a five year term starting on 19 August 2011.  This month Mr Tuuta was also
Categories
Rōpu Māori

Investiture ceremony for Sir Tamati Reedy

  Today the investiture ceremony was held in Ruatoria for Sir Tamati Muturangi Reedy(Ngāti Porou) who was made a knight companion of the New Zealand Order of merit in the 2011 New Year’s Honours list.  Sir Tamati served as head of the Department of Māori Affairs from 1983 to 1989,