On Monday the Crown Minerals (Petroleum) Amendment Bill was introduced in Parliament. This bill amends the Crown Minerals Act 1991 to give effect to the Government’s announcement made in April that the offshore block offers for oil and gas exploration permits will end, effective immediately. The block offer was an
Author: Seattle Ropiha
This week a significant ‘Criminal Justice Summit’ was held in Porirua by the Government to discuss ideas for reducing offending and prison incarceration rates. This is in accordance with the Government’s policy goal to reduce the prison population by 30% within the next fifteen years. Reportedly 600 people attended the
On Wednesday a group of Taranaki Whānui members, called Mau Whenua, protested outside the Court of Appeal in Wellington. The group are seeking a public inquiry into deals done between their iwi, the Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust, and a building development company (‘The Wellington Company’). This is in regard
Quentin Hix (Ngāi Tahu), Dr Carwyn Jones (Ngāti Kahungunu), Tracey McIntosh (Ngāi Tūhoe) and Julia Amua Whaipooti (Ngāti Porou) have been appointed to the Te Uepū Hāpai i te Ora Justice Advisory Group. The purpose of Te Uepū Hāpai i te Ora is: -to engage the public in a conversation about what
From today to next Tuesday Koroneihana celebrations will commence at Tūrangawaewae Marae, to celebrate the 160th anniversary of the Kīngitanga movement, and the12th anniversary of the coronation of Kīngi Tūheitia. However, unlike past years, media are banned from the event. This is said to be in relation to the article
Pierre Henare (Ngāti Porou), Lisa Chase and Raewyn Tipene have been appointed to the board of the New Zealand Walking Access Commission. Today Tiniraka Victoria Clark (Tainui) was sworn in as a District Court Judge with a jury warrant. On Thursday 40 unionised Māori Television employees held a strike for
The Minister for Māori Development, Nanaia Mahuta, announced the release of the draft Maihi Karauna, which is the Government’s new draft Māori Language Strategy. [By way of background, Te Ture mō te Reo Māori 2016 (the 2016 Māori Language Act) requires the Government to develop the Maihi Karauna. This is
On Thursday the first reading of the Ngāti Rangi Claims Settlement Bill was completed in Parliament. The settlement includes $17 million in financial redress. https://www.govt.nz/treaty-settlement-documents/ngati-rangi/
Following a meeting between iwi leaders and Crown officials earlier this month, Environmental Minister David Parker has proposed establishing a Māori freshwater forum, Kahui Wai Māori, to provide advice and input into Government policy. The iwi leaders’ response appears to be mixed, with some level of support, some suggestion that
The Government has announced a new programme to reduce youth unemployment, and made a further announcement of funding for initiatives to reduce youth non-engagement in education or training. First, this Thursday the Government announced the launch of ‘Mana Mahi’, a new apprenticeship programme targeting youth who have received a benefit
This month the Ministry of Education published “Ethnic Profile of the Tertiary Education Workforce”. In 2017 there were 1,950 Māori academic staff employed across all universities, polytechnics and wānanga, who represent 11% of all academics at these institutions; more specificially: universities employed 495 Māori in academic positions (4.8% of all
Yesterday the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations, Andrew Little announced that he had initialled the Marutūāhu iwi Colllective Redress Deed, and is ready to sign the Pare Hauraki Collective Redress Deed. The Minister had delayed these progressive actions over the last few months, because of significant overlapping claim issues
A media release earlier this month indicates Dame Iritana Tāwhiwhirangi and Sir Toby Curtis have filed a joint Waitangi Tribunal claim in regards to the Government’s decision to end partnership schools / kura hourua, and require these schools to seek integration within the state sector. This week Dame Tariana Turei
On Thursday the second reading of the Ngāti Tūwharetoa Claims Settlement Bill was completed in Parliament. Along with a Crown apology, the settlement includes the return of 34 land blocks, and $25 million in commercial redress, some of which will be used to purchase part of Karioi Forest and Taurewa
The third reading of the Ngāti Tamaoho Claims Settlement Bill was completed in Parliament on 12 July and Royal Assent was then granted. The Ngāti Tamaoho settlement includes a commercial and financial redress of $10.3 million, and a cultural revitalisation fund of $590,000. https://www.govt.nz/treaty-settlement-documents/ngati-tamaoho/